Money-Saving Tips for College Students

Adrian Nichola

Active member
Trying to save money is difficult, especially if you're a student. Still, it's common knowledge that a monthly budget with more green numbers than red ones means less worry, fewer money woes, and simpler spending decisions. So, let's jump right in and see if you can put one of our money-saving hints for students to good use!

1. To begin, I recommend trying your hand at financial management.

People generally agree that putting one's knowledge of theory into practice is the most rewarding experience possible. Budgeting is an important financial skill that everyone should learn, even if they don't study business or economics.

Just open an Excel sheet or a piece of paper and start writing down what you spent last month. Then you can look at your monthly income to get a clear picture of your finances. Is there anything you can think of that could be improved upon to cut costs even more? Do you anticipate putting away €100 in the future? Nice effort, that's one method for reducing the deficit!

2. Take advantage of being a student.

Just in case you haven't given it any thought, student status is a recognized legal category. It not only verifies your status as a full-time student, but also entitles you to a slew of cost-saving privileges and incentives.

Try to keep this in mind and ask if there are any benefits for students whenever you can. You may, for instance, get a discount of 20% on your bus fare from your local company the next time you take that bus home.

3. You can save money by taking advantage of free online services.

The use of modern technologies is crucial to leading a comfortable existence nowadays. This is a must-have for the busy college student who has a lot of projects and activities to keep track of. Is it, though, preferable to constantly use a paid service, rather than make do with a free one?

Consider a piece of regular use software, like Microsoft Office. However, did you know that the most recent versions of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint can be accessed for free via an online service called Office 365? Or that you may take advantage of free trials at services like Netflix, Spotify, and many others?

4. Improve your cooking abilities.


A strong fondness for eating is not something to be ashamed about. Food, as the old saying goes, is both love and life. The waste of hard-earned cash on delightful things that may be made at home is, nevertheless, a source of great embarrassment.

Do you agree that chocolate is one of your favorite foods? Great! Stop by the convenience store on the way home and pick up some biscuits, a jar of chocolate, and your preferred toppings. The next step is to see whether you can bake a chocolate cake with just these three components. The best-case scenario is that you realize you've been wasting money on cakes that aren't even close to as good as your own at university cafes.

5. Take a Break from Your Sporting Activity

While it's great that your school has a cutting-edge fitness center with a wide variety of exercise options, you should be aware of one major drawback: the steep membership fees. When a favorite sport is done through a monthly subscription, the price can easily be more than the cost of housing. Wow, you're a real gym rat.

You can avoid this problem by switching to a sport that does not require any specialized facilities or gear, or by going to the gym. Sports like basketball, football, and table tennis are all great options, but you may also try something new and relaxing like yoga in the comfort of your own home. Reduce stress and lower your monthly expenses at the same time!

6. Consider Your Purchases Carefully

These days, staying current with the most recent in both fashion and technology is a must for everyone. As a student, you may suffer from the "shop a lot" and "would rather not save" syndromes. Both of these can be very bad for your financial health.

You may avoid this by keeping tabs on upcoming promotions and special offers, especially as one season gives way to the next. Create a shopping list of things you need and wait for them to go on sale during a major holiday (like Easter, Christmas, or a national holiday) to save money. Participating in online communities and going to online events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday can also be helpful.

7. Mobile Phone Service

You probably factored in your monthly phone cost when figuring out your current financial situation at the beginning of the article. On the other hand, this expense is one that may be drastically cut down on in comparison to others.

A student can save money on a mobile plan even if they are the most social student in the world who always needs to be in contact with pals. How? What about Messenger, Skype, Viber, and WhatsApp? Check if you can count on a fast and secure Wi-Fi network in the places you frequently visit by marking them.

You can avoid making a commitment while still getting basic mobile service with a plan that gives you more Internet bandwidth than calls or texts.

8. Don't Turn Down Free Stuff

Whether it comes as a surprise or not, today's businesses are cognizant of the restricted financial means of today's students. Because of this, you'll see a never-ending stream of freebies floating throughout campus.

Don't pass up these chances, as there may be healthier options that better fit your tastes than Red Bull and Monster Energy. You may have to take part in a fun game or activity in order to be eligible for a larger prize, but it will be well worth it! In addition to the merchandise, you should check for gift cards and vouchers.

9. Tell Your Friends About It

Have you ever considered telling your friends practically everything? It's really similar to being in a relationship, except that this one may end up saving you money.

To get the most out of your limited funds, try brainstorming with your other students or housemates to come up with creative solutions. Do you think it would be fair if the cost of a single, reasonably priced cable TV and Internet package was divided into three equal payments? Or about a universal membership that everyone can use? The potential is enormous!

10. A Daily Cent

The best approach to wrap up this post is with a time-tested method of cutting costs. To complete this "challenge," all you need to do is set aside one cent today, two tomorrow, and three the day after that.

After a year of consistent effort, you'll have nearly €650 in savings. That's a hefty quantity of pennys right there!​
 
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