7 Tips for Working College Students to Save Money in College

You are doing it all. Working, going to college and juggling a personal life. The money you make while working is probably going towards your college expenses. You may be thinking, “how do I save money while in college?” Clipping coupons can steal precious study time, and the precious time you have to relax after studying. So you need a better way to save money in college. Fortunately, I have seven money saving tips just for you.

1) Buy or rent textbooks online

Choosing to rent your textbooks can save you a few hundred bucks each semester. Purchasing new books is a huge budget buster. Instead, look for used textbooks online. As long as the book was not specifically created for your class, you should be able to find a reseller.

2) Shorten commute time (study during rush hour)

Living close to your college helps your budget in a few ways. Firstly, it helps you to save on gas. And secondly, if you decide to eliminate your need for a vehicle altogether, you will save on repairs and maintenance. You could ride a bike to campus and get exercise each day as well. Meanwhile, you can study during the time that you would have been sitting in traffic.

3) Use public transportation or carpool

Instead of driving, why not try public transportation? If you live a bit further out from the college, then look into the bus or subway system. You can use this time to study. Even reading a few pages before the next class can help you improve your grades. And now that you do not have to worry about car expenses, you can save the extra money.

4) Create an all cash budget

Nothing kills a budget like overspending. It can be easy to overspend when you have credit available to you. Go on an all cash diet and avoid using credit cards for a month. Make sure your budget is in balance and eliminate unnecessary spending.

5) Institute a No Spend Day

Keeping cash in your wallet is easier when you don’t take it out. A no spend day can help you save plenty of extra money. For example, if you budget 60 dollars a month for snacks, and you spend an average of 3 dollars each weekday, skipping one day a week saves 12 dollars. Imagine how much you could save if you chose a few more budget categories for no spend day! This works best on discretionary spending. No spend days do not work for rent, bills, or debt. Sorry.

6) Create a fun budget

Saving money is no fun unless you make it fun. Create a small savings account just for fun. How does this help you save money while in college? Well, once you know that your ‘fun’ is covered, you will feel more comfortable saving higher and higher amounts. It’s a simple mind trick that packs a big punch.

7) Skip fast food

And finally, avoid the fast food trap. Taking the time to prepare your own healthy meals can save you money if you do it right. Find cookbooks with 5 ingredient meals to keep your grocery bill low as well. Grabbing fast food may seem easier but you could potentially spend less if you make your own meals.

There are certainly easy ways to save money while you are in college and still have time left to study. Keep it simple and cut out the extras but leave room for fun as well.

7 Tips for Working College Students to Save Money in College is a post from: Young Finances