College is expensive, there’s no doubt about it. On top of the expenses you have to pay to attend college, such as tuition, room and board, and text book fees, there are the everyday living expenses. Being away from mom and dad for the first time can be a very eye opening experience. Suddenly you realize how expensive “real life” can be. Here are some simple ways to be frugal and still live a happy college life.
Ditch your Car
Keeping a car on campus can be very costly. You have to pay for the parking permit, gas, insurance, and the maintenance to keep the car running. College campuses are set up so that you can walk or bike everywhere pretty easily. Why not skip the car costs and walk or bike everywhere? If your classes are really spread apart or the other areas of town are not easily accessed on foot, consider using campus transportation or even public transportation. Many colleges offer free shuttles and public busing is typically rather affordable.
Check out Campus Activities
Staying entertained does not mean drinking the night away every night on campus and it also does not mean that you have to spend an arm and a leg on entertainment in town. See what the campus has to offer. Many schools host movie nights, art nights, and even free concerts. Chances are you will see your classmates at these events or you may even meet new people along the way.
Give up your Starbucks Habit
Yes, Starbucks might help you stay up for those all-nighters, but it will eat away at your budget. $5 or $6 might not seem like a lot right now, but when you add up how much you spend on those cups of coffee over the span of a week or month, you will see just how expensive that habit can be. You can make some great coffee right in your dorm by experimenting with flavors and different creamers. You still get the caffeine jolt but for a mere fraction of the price.
Ask for Student Discounts
Most places in your college town will offer discounts to college students, but you have to ask for them! Don’t be afraid to ask – all that they can say is no! In addition to your local town, consider asking about student rates for things like insurance (if you keep your car there) and cell phone plans – most companies offer college students a small discount.
Don’t Buy Books at Full Price
Textbooks can eat up your budget very quickly. There are ways around paying full price though. Check out the used bookstore on campus; buy the books online from various stores, such as eBay or Amazon; or use the library. Most campus libraries have the school books in stock and with everything being online today, the chances of needing a book are much slimmer than in the past, which makes using loaned copies a much more frugal and doable option.
Learn to Cook
Eating out can quickly eat up all of your extra money, so try to avoid it. The common joke is that college students have to live on Ramen noodles. While this might not be true, you can make some great meals at home with just a stove or even microwave, saving yourself a great deal of money in the end. Listen to those tips mom gives you before you leave home or check out beginner cooking tips online to get yourself started! To make preparing meals more fun, enlist the whole floor and have everyone bring something – then your costs are cut even further!
Shop the Thrift Shops
Thrift shops are a college student’s best friend. You will find name brand clothing and household items at a fraction of the price. As long as you are willing to weed through the bad stuff, you can typically find some real gems, allowing you to still live in your luxury days without paying luxury prices that you cannot afford.
Be creative and enjoy your college years! You can find some additional tips here. It might seem like a very financially difficult time right now, but if you use your resources correctly, you can make the most of it and even have fun!