How to Fund Your Fall College Entertainment Budget

If you want to entertain yourself at college this fall, you'll have to come up with the money somewhere. You might be able to find some activities going on for free, or perhaps you can just watch the tv in someone's dorm room for entertainment. However, you might grow tired of this after a while. So, you need to fund your college entertainment expenses. This article will give you ten ideas to fund your fall college entertainment budget.

1. Tutor other students through the college work study program. Many colleges offer students the opportunity to work for the college tutoring other students. Shepherd University, my alma mater, had a tutoring center and other students tutored there. I was able to tutor in a few different subjects. The pay wasn't much over minimum wage, but it was an easy way to make some extra money so I could go out and play. I was also able to set my own schedule, and tutor in between other classes, for instance.

2. Obtain work at the college in other areas. You don't have to just tutor. You could work as an assistant or some other type of odd end job that the college needs someone to do. It's amazing how many different ideas they'll come up with for students to work through the work study program. The pay rate is set, and isn't fabulous, but there is often much flexibility with the schedule and needing time off.

3. Write articles for the internet. Wow, I'll bet you didn't see this one coming. This one is an excellent idea. Start writing for associated content and submitting articles for payment. You'll get paid to your paypal account, and you can get a paypal debit card to use the funds immediately as soon as associated content sends them there.

4. Get an odd job. Student message boards in the student center often post wanted ads for part time help. People realize that college students are often looking for jobs and so they post wanted ads there. Maybe you'll help someone with yard work, or even do some part time office work for a local law firm.

5.Tutor on your own. You can advertise on college message boards tutoring available privately for you instead of through the college tutoring center. I put up and ad my first year of college and got a paid opportunity about a half an hour from the college. And it paid significantly more than the tutoring job at the school.

6. Waitress or bartend at a local college establishment part time. This might be one of your best money supply options. You can make more bartending than you can doing office work or part time jobs, as a general rule. You'll have to work weekends, so this may mean giving up some of your most enjoyable options for spending the money. But, you will be out working where some of your friends hang out, so while they spend money, you make it.

7. Consider some type of small investment that provides a return on your money. If you have extra money, you could invest it and watch it grow, and use the interest for entertainment expenses. If you invest $5,000 in a certificate of deposit with a 5% interest rate, you'll make $250 in interest each year or more that can be used to fund your college entertainment. The only downside is that you have to have the money to invest to make this work. The upside is that you still keep your base of money and don't deplete all of your funds.

8.Find ways to save money on other expenditures. If you spend $50 a week for your breakfast and lunches, try finding ways to eat cheaper. Eat on campus at the cafeteria with a meal plan, or skip the dessert when you go out to lunch. Drink tap water at restaurants instead of buying a bottle of water. Or, if you buy $20 worth of personal items weekly, decrease this amount. Use generic razors or Suave shampoo (very inexpensive) instead of Pantene. Stop buying expensive college stationery, and just use plain paper to write home to your highschool friends and your family.

9. Ask for an entertainment budget from your parents. They may be willing to do it if they know it will help you find healthy activities that will keep you from drinking or doing drugs. You can make this part of a deal where you get a certain amount for the next semester for each A or B grade you receive in a college class. This helps your parents encourage good study habits that work together with your college entertainment and enjoyment.

10. Seek a grant. You can often get college grants for college expenditures, such as tuition and room and board. However, sometimes you may be able to get an additional amount to pay for other costs that might come up, such as entertainment.