10 Easy Ways to Save Money in College

If you’re a college student who’s looking for a few ways to save a buck (or more), then rest easy. There are several simple steps you can take to reduce your cash out flow.

Here are 10 easy ways to save money in college.

1. Get More Roommates

There’s not a whole lot you can do to reduce the amount of rent that your landlord demands every month. However, you can reduce the amount of money that you pay every month.

Share your space and get yourself a couple of additional roommates.

2. Chop up Those Credit Cards

If you really want to put a dent on your interest expense, get rid of the plastic. Many college student credit cards have onerously high interest rates. Even the ones that don’t have 20% interest rates still charge some interest, and that’s more than you should be paying.

Also, you don’t want to be saddled with a great deal of debt when you get your degree, since jobs for recent grads are hard to come by.

3. Become a Chef

Quit paying someone else to buy and prepare your food for you. It’s amazing how much money you can save when you buy groceries and cook your own meals.

4. Compare Prices

Become a comparison shopper. Look around for the best deals instead of always buying an item where you first see it offered for sale. This is an especially good rule to follow when it comes time to a make major purchase, such as a television set or a car.

5. Avoid School-Hopping

Once you’ve settled on a school and landed there for your freshman year, stay put until you graduate. If you bounce around from place to place, you’re adding expenses with moving costs and could add an extra semester of tuition payments too.

6. Carpool

If you’re working for a place that hires college students, odds are pretty good that somebody else from your school works there, too. Make a new friend and share the ride back and forth to work. You’ll reduce your fuel costs.

7. Take Advantage of Student Discounts

Lots of retail outlets and even some movie theaters have student discounts. Don’t steal from yourself by neglecting to take advantage of those money saving opportunities.

8. Avoid Changing Your Major

If you really have to change your major for a bona fide market-driven or economic reason, go ahead. Just be advised that if you jump from major to major, you might stay in school longer than you had originally planned. That could cost you big bucks.

9. Avoid Excessive Partying

Bad news: partying can be very expensive. If it’s your turn to buy the keg or bring the food, you could dish out a lot of cash for just one night of fun. Have a good time during your college years, but don’t overdo it or you could struggle financially.

10. Buy Used Textbooks

As much as possible, never pay full price for a textbook. There are people who have already taken the classes that you’re enrolled in and they probably have no future need for the textbooks they were required to buy for those classes. Touch base with them and save literally hundreds of dollars during your college years by buying used textbooks.

College is a great experience. However, it can also be expensive if you don’t mind your budget. Follow some simple money-saving rules and you can avoid the “starving student” stereotype.