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May 23, 2008 06:00 PM
Times are tough.
Everything costs more — college, gas, groceries, plane tickets home. And with the economy in a slump, part-time student-friendly jobs can be hard to come by.
Those offers for credit cards and student loans might look really tempting right now, when you’re short on cash. But before you start racking up debt, which could end up costing you thousands of dollars in interest, check out these 10 suggestions for finding ways to cut back where you can.
By simply being proactive and making a few smart choices, you can spend less, save more, and still get all the essentials any college student needs.
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Buy your books used. Scope out local and online bookstores that sell used textbooks. Check out sites like CampusBooks, BIGWORDS, and BookFinder.com for tons of inventory and great deals.
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Shop in bulk. Round up a few of your friends and roommates, and go in on groceries. Shop at warehouse retail chains like Sam’s Club or Costco. Split the cost, and divvy up the goods. You could save big on snacks and household items like toilet paper and laundry detergent.
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Save on gas. Try walking, riding a bike, taking the bus, or carpooling with friends to get to campus and work. With gas prices approaching (and in some states, already over) $4.00 a gallon, not having to fill your tank every week will give your transportation budget — and the ozone — a break.
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Brew your java in-house. Satisfy your caffeine fix by investing in your own coffee maker — a one-time buy of about $40 — and making your coffee at home. If you’re a Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha lover who orders a tall every day, you’ll save about $25 a week — which adds up to $100 a month and $1,200 a year. To put your Starbucks in perspective: If you were paying for gas at the same per-ounce rate you’re spending on a $3.50 tall (16 oz) Frappuccino, you’d be filling up at a whopping $28.00 a gallon.
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Skip the bottled water. Why pay for water shipped from Fiji when you can just turn on the tap? Bottled water can cost you 240 to 10,000 times more than tap water. Buy a reusable bottle, and refill at home for pennies. You’ll save money and cut down on your carbon footprint. If you can’t stand the taste of tap water, try a Brita faucet filter or filtered pitcher.
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Use your student discounts. Take advantage of the perks of being a student. Before buying a laptop, software, books, car insurance, or even a lunch out, ask about student discounts. Buy reduced-admission tickets to movies, museums, concerts, the theater, and summer getaways like Six Flags or the water park.
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Look for freebies. Scan online events calendars and newspapers for free events. Check the “Free Stuff” postings on Craigslist for everything from clothes and CDs to furniture and appliances. Get a list of computer labs on campus that let you print or make copies for free, and save money on expensive toner cartridges. Stop by grocery stores that offer free samples, and eat up. Use the network on Freecycle.org, and start exchanging items you’re not using for ones you need.
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Embrace second-hand. Shop for as-new clothes at thrift stores like Goodwill and hip recycled-fashion dealers like Buffalo Exchange. If you can’t find anything you like, trade closets with your fashion-smart friends. Exchange the things you’re sick of, and revamp your wardrobe for free.
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Brown-bag it. Instead of eating out every day or spending too much on a campus meal plan that covers more than you’ll eat, go old school and pack a lunch. Turn a foot-long sub and a frozen pizza into a week’s worth of mini-sandwiches and lunch-by-the-slice. Whip up a microwaveable soup, PB & J, or grilled cheese sandwich for another inexpensive quick fix.
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Hit the library. Say goodbye to Amazon, iTunes, and your Netflix account. Your campus and public libraries are one-stop, no-cost entertainment hubs. Check out music, movies, video games, books, and magazines for free.
Related Articles:
Save Money on Textbooks
Save Money on School
Save Money on Electronics, Laptops & Software
Save Money on Travel, Clothes & Furniture
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