1) Use Public Transport
Rather than driving everywhere and wasting money on gas, use public transport to get around. Not only is it cheaper, but you’ll also be able to relax and read during your commute instead of having to focus on the road all the time! Depending on where you live and what sort of public transportation options are available will depend on whether this tip is applicable for you or not. If there’s a train station nearby that can take you into town, then give it a shot! It might just save some money in the long run if you’re taking several short trips each day. Monthly costs for owning a car average around $955 which is a pretty penny!
2) Pack Your Lunch In The Morning
Instead of buying one from the campus cafeteria or local food trucks, make yourself a lunch. Not only will this save you money, but it’ll also give you a chance to try out some new and delicious recipes! If cooking isn’t your thing, then consider packing a salad or sandwich instead. There are plenty of recipes online that are both easy and affordable to follow.
3) Keep Food At Home Fresh
Invest in some fruit and vegetables at the grocery store, then keep them fresh by storing them properly. If you have a small refrigerator or freezer near your room/apartment, consider keeping a few pieces of fruit there so that you can snack on it during the day while studying/writing papers. Also, consider keeping weed fresh to save some money on buying new stock regularly. Make sure to wash any fruits before cutting into them, though! You wouldn’t want food poisoning from eating spoiled produce after all. In addition to having snacks available at home for when hunger strikes, make meals ahead of time and freeze them too. There are plenty of websites online with recipes that don’t require much preparation but taste delicious nonetheless. Keep these frozen dishes in your freezer until you’re ready to eat one, then microwave it whenever you get hungry.
4) Buy Second-Hand Books
Textbooks are notoriously expensive, so if you can find a way to save money on them, then you should definitely do it! One option is to buy second-hand books from previous students or online. You can also rent textbooks instead of buying them outright, which can often be cheaper in the long run. If there’s a course that you know you’ll need the textbook for but won’t use again after the semester is over, consider selling it back to the bookstore or online. Just make sure that you do your research first and get as much money back as possible!
5) Use A Free Streaming App Instead Of Cable
What if you’re in the mood to watch a movie or TV show but don’t want to pay a bazillion dollars a month for a cable subscription? Try usinga free streaming app. There might be commercials you have to skip through but when you are a broke college student, you need to pinch those pennies. You can stream many different shows and movies online without paying any extra money. You could also check out Hulu Plus which is also a great streaming service with a wide variety of TV shows and movies to choose from.
6) Limit Electricity And Water Use
Both electricity and water can be expensive to use, so try and limit your consumption where possible. If you’re not using a room or if it’s empty during certain hours of the day, then make sure that all appliances are turned off. The same goes for when you’re not home – unplug everything! You could also install a low-flow showerhead in order to conserve water while taking showers. Just be mindful of how much you’re using each month and see where you can cut back. It’ll save you some extra cash in the long run.
In conclusion, there are plenty of easy ways for students to save money daily. It may take some effort to get used to, but it’ll be worth it when you see how much money has been saved in your bank account.
