A Few Ways to Save a Few Dollars
By: Camille Daniels
There are many simple ways to make your dollars work for you as a college student even if you’re not that familiar with how to do it. What makes it so simple you may ask? Well it may be that for some students the solutions are sometimes in how they are already using money which can sometimes reflect your relationship with it.
The solutions depending on the website used can range in range from 10 to nearly 30 suggestions. Listed below are a few suggestions. They include everything from what is the best way to pay for textbooks to what is the best way to not spend at all.
One website really suggests using all the access to things that your school offers from the campus gym to keeping yourself entertained through events on campus and even deals that the school gets for its students. This is suggested because most colleges acknowledge the fact that students are people and sometimes you need a break and should be enjoying the experience as much as you are focused on your education therefore don’t ignore the opportunity to save money by using every single option available to you as a student. It’s all there to help you and to keep more of the money that you need in your pocket.
Another major point that has been made on some of the sites is if you can reduce your spending by simply living as simple as possible. This means don’t buy a car or don’t spend extra for food if you already can live as close to campus as possible if not on it and use your meal plan if you have one. The best ways to save money is to be humble by reducing your wants by looking at your needs and debating which is more important your wallet or your ego?
As this is college the real focus should first and foremost be your education therefore one of the most important things to do is to get all the academic support you can to make sure you graduate in four years or less. Many sites claim one reason so much spending happens in college is because some students who simply don’t graduate in the proper time of four years. Anytime an additional semester is added on there is more money to be spent. So, for that to be avoided get as much academic help by getting tutors and constantly talking with professors and advisers and anyone else that will help keep you on the right track academically.
A fun way to save money may be to simply be on the constant lookout for scholarships and grants. If you’re an undergraduate use your free time to make money by constantly applying for these various scholarships. Why spend when you can be paid for your academic pursuits or something you’ve already done? The money is out there you just must go out there and get it. There are scholarships for graduate students as well, so graduate students find yours as well.
Finally, don’t buy your textbooks at the bookstore go and buy it online for much cheaper. The books are there just you must know where to buy them.
There are many other suggestions, but these are just a few of them. Remember while being in college this is an opportunity to learn about money, gain a better relationship with it and just how much you can do with it without having to spend so much all the time.
