Throughout your college years, it’s said you will have the best time of your life. However, you might not be in the best financial situation during this time. Many college students struggle to budget their money to last them throughout their time here on campus. If you are unsure of where to start, below are some tips on how to get started.
First, choose one of the cheaper meal plans if required. If not required, consider buying your own groceries as you will save money all together. When grocery shopping, make sure to create lists before leaving the house and be realistic with the items you want to buy versus what you will actually eat throughout the week.
Second, everyone loves to treat themselves occasionally. But, once in a while cannot be every single week. This means, you need to limit the amount of dining out and door dashing as it can get expensive quick. If you choose to go out to eat, limit the food you order. Trade an entrée and dessert in for an appetizer and a drink.
Third, try to enjoy the luxury of cooking and snacking at home. By making food at home, you can have leftovers that will last a few days. Snacking at home will save so much money instead of stopping by the campus store or a gas station for some chips and soda.
Fourth, buy your school supplies off campus. This includes everything from pencils to textbooks needed for class. Although, it’s great to represent your school with school supplies that might have the logo on it, those items will most likely be more expensive. Instead, go to places like Walmart or the grocery store where things are sold in packs for a cheaper price. With purchasing textbooks, make sure you are not purchasing them before the class starts. Identify if it is absolutely necessary to purchase a book to do well in the class. Consider buying an online textbook instead as they are usually a fraction of the price.
Fifth, know where students get college discounts. College towns often give college kids discounts for stopping by their stores. Make sure you know which establishments give out this discount if you want to go out to eat or need to buy something in general.
Sixth, make sure that you are working in the summer or part time during the school year, but also look into internships. It’s important to have some savings put away to last you through each semester and right after you finish school. However, it’s also important to gain knowledge and skills in the field you are studying. Make sure to prioritize seeking internships and do not wait until the last minute.
Although all of these tips can seem overwhelming all together, pick a few to focus on and see what a difference it makes before adding more strategies to your everyday life. With these tips in mind, students should be able to make a difference in their lives with budgeting money throughout the semester.