How to Live like a College Student

Are you a college student or even a recent graduate still looking for your dream job? College students are notorious for having slim bank accounts, and while most have adjusted to the necessity of frugal living, there are some students who still try to live above their means. Here are some tried and true tips for making the most of your part-time job or semester's allowance.

Live on campus if you can. Many undergrads live on campus their freshman and sophomore years, and then make the move to off-campus living when they hit upperclassman status. Bite the bullet and stay in the dorms those last two years and enjoy the convenience of having just one bill that includes cable, utilities, and most of the time, food. If you're already living off campus, consider taking advantage of campus food services. Most colleges provide options for special meal plans for commuter services that allow you to eat between classes and save the money you'd normally spend eating out or on groceries. Most of the time, campus food plans will be much cheaper than eating at home, and you have the added benefit of unlimited leftovers.

Forgo the car and take the bus instead. Rather than buying a new or used vehicle and incurring all the expenses that come along with it (including gas, insurance and maintenance), consider using public transportation instead. Most cities have decent bus programs that will take you anywhere you want to go, and you can save even more money by buying a monthly pass instead of paying every day. And, you might even fight off some of the "freshman 15" with the extra walking you'll have to do in case the bus doesn't drop you off at the front door of wherever you're trying to go.

Plan social events that cost little or no money. Most college campuses have intramural programs. For example, Park University's intramurals program includes sporting events, poker and movie nights. In addition, most schools have tons of free campus activities for students to take advantage of, like ice skating nights at the local rink for absolutely no cost. Rather than paying upwards of $10 each to go see a movie or have some drinks at the local bar, encourage your friends to join you for a game of touch football on campus or a Texas Hold-Em tournament in the student lounge. You'll have time to socialize without breaking your bank.

If you've graduated and are still looking for full-time employment, continue to live like a college student until you make enough income to splurge. For example, forgo movie channels in exchange for basic cable, and rent movies on occasion to satisfy your craving for the big screen. Continue to utilize public transportation and hold off on making big purchases like brand-new living room furniture. Instead, save as much money as you can and sleep on a futon.

With a little imagination and a lot of patience, living like a college student doesn't have to be so bad. Save the money you'd normally spend on luxuries and put it in a savings account instead. When the day comes for a brand-new car or a down payment on a mortgage, you'll be thankful you lived like a penny pincher.