College Students: Tips on How To Save Money

Once you have tuition covered, there are still tons of costs you have to face as a college student. Here are some easy ways that you can save money for things like living expenses, books, and all the other things you will need during your time in school.

Live off campus

Sometimes this isn't an option because some schools require students to live on campus for at least a year. But as soon as you can, move off campus. Paying rent is far cheaper than the cost of a dorm and you will be much more comfortable. Get some roommates to keep your costs low. Look for apartments that cater to students and have all the utilities included so that you only have to pay one fee every month.

Eat for free

Most college campuses are rife with coupons for local pizza joints and restaurants. Look for buy one get one free coupons and use them liberally. Go in on these deals with friends - they are looking to save money also. If you work at a restaurant, use your employee discount to eat at the restaurant as much as you can. Hit up your friends who work at coffee shops or restaurants for freebies or discounts. If you can, be sure and return the favor and give them freebies or discounts too.

Invite friends to a potluck dinner once a week

Have everyone bring a dish and have fun watching movies or playing games. Then at the end of the night, divide everything that is left over evenly among all the people there. That way, for the cost of bringing one dish, everyone goes home with enough food for multiple meals.

Get your coffee for free

Many departments on campus have a coffee maker or teapot and tea in their student lounges for the use of the students in that department. Skip the $4 Starbucks latte in the morning and grab a free cup of coffee in your department student lounge.

Sell your car

Driving and parking a car on most campuses is expensive and you still end up walking a long distance to your classes. Get an apartment close to campus and sell the car. Getting rid of the car saves you money on gas and maintenance, insurance, and parking. In most cities, students can ride city buses free with their student ID so use the bus and your legs to get around. If you need to shop, tag along when a friend with a car goes shopping or take a cab.

Ask for gift cards

When family and friends ask you what you want for your birthday or holidays, always ask for gift cards to stores that are near you. That way, you can use your gift card for something fun or if things are tight you can use them for things like food and necessities.

Gift cards to grocery stores and stores like Wal-Mart and Target can also usually be reloaded from anywhere. So if you give your parents the number of your gift card they can put money on it from home. In an emergency it could be a real life-saver to have your parents reload your grocery gift card so you can buy what you need.

Skip the fancy clothes

Fortunately, the grunge look is still kind of in fashion, especially at college. When you're in college, your day to day wardrobe will probably consist largely of jeans and sweatshirts or tee shirts. Instead of paying designer prices for new clothes, go to thrift stores or charity shops like Goodwill or the Salvation Army. You can often find designer label clothes at resale shops.

Visit your parents in the off season to save money

Flying home at holidays can be a nightmare and very expensive. To save money and hassle, visit your family just before or just after a major holiday. Use frequent flier miles to pay for the flights and you can have a nice visit home that won't cost anything.

Shop in bulk

Join Sam's Club or another bulk discount store with the other people in your apartment or even the other people in your building. Plan one day a month to go shopping for things like toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, and other household items. You can also stock up on canned goods and other non perishable food.

Use Craigslist and Freecycle

Looking on Websites like Craigslist can be a great way to find furniture, household items, clothes, and other items for really cheap or sometimes for free. Browse these sites regularly or post an ad telling the other readers what you are looking for and how much you want to pay.

You can also use these sites to find great apartments, roommates, or even ride sharing groups. If you want to find great local resources, rely on websites like Craigslist.