10 Easy Ways to Save Money as a Student

Every college student has the cardinal right to be poor. This might be true, but it doesn't mean that the average college kid can't save some serious cash. The best part? There is no need to sacrifice your social life or dine on Ramen Noodles everyday. Here are ten easy ways to save money without compromising your lifestyle...

1. PARTY SMARTER
One of the greatest things about college is social independence. What is not to like about no parents, no curfews, no nagging, and definitely no rules. However, the lack of restrictions can cost you severely. One of the largest portion of collegiate spending is on the different aspects of campus social life, mostly alcohol. When going out, don't bring too much money with you in order to limit your spending. Be sure to take advantages of drink specials, always go to the clubs that offer discounts. Attend other people's parties! It not only saves money but also time and energy spent on preparations. If you absolutely have to throw your own party, buy in bulk and charge an entrance fee. You can party hard, but be sure to party smart.

2. SAVE ON BOOKS
Books are a college necessity, often costing a small fortune. Money savvy students know that the internet is a great place to find deals of textbooks. Websites like Amazon and eBay can help you locate deals on both used and new books. Never buy anything you don't have to, if an optional book is recommended by your professor, borrow it from the library. University libraries have a wider selection than most students tend to think. After you are done with a class, try to sell your used books, either through the internet or to someone at your university. The easiest way to save on textbooks is to buy them ASAP, you will not find a cheap version if you wait till the day before class.

3. GETTING AROUND CAMPUS
When it comes to traveling on campus, think free! A car is not necessary at most large universities; you will only end up spending money on gas, maintenance, and parking. Walk whenever possible, it is good for both your health and your wallet. Some other alternatives are biking, jogging, or skateboarding. Also be sure to find out if you college has free transportation buses to take students around campus and beyond. If you live off-campus, find a place as close to the university as possible.

4. SHOP TILL YOU DROP??
NEVER!
To avoid overspending, the rule of thumb is to never buy more than three items at a time. Do not shop during exam weeks, the extra stress lead to bad decision making. Take advantage of your student discount whenever possible; always ask, sometimes stores do not advertise student discounts. For clothes, think sales and second-hand. Used clothing stores are increasingly gaining popularity. It is no longer embarrassing to buy something second-hand, many people will be surprised at the abundance of trendy, chic items found in stores like the Salvation Army or Plato's Closet. For holiday shopping's, be sure to start early... or really late. Items picked up soon after a big shopping day make great contributions for next-year presents.

5. TRAVEL IN (CHEAP) LUXURY
If you did not attend an in-state university, a big expense will be traveling home for summer and holidays. When you fly, be sure to check out prices online. Experts recommend websites such as Hotwire, Orbitz, and Expedia; these will alert you when there are promotional or last-minute deals. If you are not traveling by air, try a bus/train service instead of driving your own vehicle. Greyhound and Amtrak both offer discounts for students. Some people may want to consider carpooling (and splitting the gas bills), just make sure you trust your travel companions.

6. COFFEE CRAVINGS
Most college students claim they cannot survive without that quintessential caffeine fix- coffee. Whether your drink of choice is low-fat vanilla latte or iced mocha frap, Starbucks, Dunkin, and others are putting a venti-sized dent in your bank account. However, there is no need to give up your caffeine indulgences completely. By skipping the coffee run three days a week or alternating lattes with drip coffees and hot-chocolate, you can save a significant amount of money. If you are really determined, invest in a good coffeemaker and brew your own. Most supermarkets carry brands like Starbucks, so you can achieve the same taste at home.

7. ENTERTAINMENT
There are many activities to enjoy on campus, at little or no cost to the students. Many universities rent out movies, often new releases, for free. Clubs, organizations, and intramural sports are a great way to spend free time. Some universities, such as U of Penn, provide funding for students who want to start their own organizations. A recently formed one at U of Penn is house (the television series)-and-pizza parties. Depending on your school, students might also have access to extremely discounted concert tickets. Most students do not know that colleges often do not advertise these things. You must actively pursue these opportunities.

8. COSTLY FRIENDSHIPS
For a high school student, the prospect of leaving family and friends can be daunting. Many attempt to keep a relationship with their high school/childhood friends. The only drawback? The cost of keeping in touch is now greater than ever; these show up mostly obviously on your phone bills. Try to minimize your usage of peak time minutes to avoid a large statement; and if you are a frequent text-er, sign up for unlimited text messaging for a low monthly fee. At the risk of sounding heartless, I advice dropping former friends who are not on the same cell phone network as you are. If you must keep in contact with them, use email or the social networking sites like myspace, facebooks, xanga.

9. TECH SAVVY
An unexpected cause of spending is technology. A new laptop cost $1,500 on average, not including all the maintenance fees and money spent on software programs. When you encounter small computer problems such as viruses or worms, ask one of the computer science majors to help fix it. Most are willing and helpful, not to mention how little they charge (usually buying dinner will suffice). Another way to save money is to share the cost of softwares with friends. One purchase of Microsoft Word can be downloaded up to three times; if you split the cost with two other people, you save about $66. When buying electronics, be sure to avoid overspending. Do product research online and take advantage of promotional deals.

10. MANAGING THE MONEY YOU HAVE
The most important advice is to manage your money carefully. Get a free savings account! Look for one with a higher interest rate. Make sure they do not have extra charges or penalties, such as fees for online checking or limited number of ATM withdrawals. Do not get a credit card without knowing what you are getting into!! This is the number one mistake college students make. Credit cards can be fantastic, but if and only if, you are responsible to pay back the money at the end of each month. Otherwise, you will still be paying off credit card bills in your thirties.