College Budget: How to Cut Expenses in College
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Attending college can be one of the most exciting times in a young adult’s life. New friends and opportunities are around every corner. You’re ready to take life by the horns, but there’s just one problem . . . you’re broke. Don’t stress — you’re not alone! The majority of new college students are on a budget. Just because you’re tight on funds, doesn’t mean you can’t have an awesome college experience. There are plenty of ways to save in college. Let’s explore the top 10:
1. Understand the power of student ID
Student ID has much more power than it seems at first glance. This is not only a guard against the evil eye of the janitor or university guard but also savings on museums and theatres. It is better to know in advance where the discounts for students are - such information is published on the websites of universities and cultural institutions. The ideal solution is to always carry the student card with you: you never know when it will come in handy.
2. Use travel card beneficiary
While studying at the university, use the wonderful opportunity to ride on public transport for free. Travel cards of the beneficiary exist in each country. This will definitely help save your college budget.
3. Rent an apartment with friends
Living in a dormitory is not perfect, and renting an apartment to one, especially in a big city, is very expensive. But if you throw off with a pair of time-tested friends or cohabitants, you can save a lot on housing. The main thing is to solve everyday issues without conflicts.
4. Find a job
Permanent work may have a bad effect on academic performance, but some additional income will not be superfluous: at least you can show your parents that you can earn by yourself. If you feel like you can combine work and study but still experience a shortage of money, you can find online assignment help in UK. There is enough work for students, and this is not just a courier and putting up announcements: if you tense up, you can get an internship in the specialty.
5. Sell old textbooks
Textbooks, notes, and any university paper that you no longer need can be really useful to others. You can sell anything to first-year students: they are young and are still full of the desire to acquire knowledge by any means. Well, if you have just strayed unnecessary books - put them on the site ads.
6. Do not drink in bars
Have you ever noticed how much a drink costs even in the cheapest bars? Students cannot afford such expenses. Honestly, you can blow your scholarship in one evening of booze. So, to avoid this, you can drink at home or at least look for bars offering some kinds of discount for students.
7. Switch to the early bird mode
There are no savings without sacrifices, so you have to sacrifice your sleep. In order not to spend money on electricity, sitting at home at night, you can prepare homework during the day and save on utilities! And if you go to the cinema for the morning show, tickets will cost half the price.
8. Do not abuse cafeterias
Unless we are talking about university or college cafeteria, the food actually is not so cheap. Try to cook in advance at home and carry food with you: stock up on a pair of containers and stop sponsoring the nearby food service.
9. Buy in supermarkets
This advice is relevant not only for students. Combo savings - go to the shops with a list, so as not to accidentally buy something unnecessary. In large supermarkets, it is better to buy long-term storage products - cereals and tea. And if you get a discount card, you can become the king of life.
10. Do not splurge on stationery
University is no school, where each subject needs its own notebooks, dictionaries and reference books, sets of gel pens of 100 colors and all that. Smart students use one big strong notebook on rings with plug-in blocks, a pair of markers, a package of stickers and a few pens. This will be enough for the whole academic year. You can use stickers and markers of different colors to separate subjects in your notebook.
So now, you know how a student can save money. And you should not be discouraged experiencing some financial difficulties. Finding a way out and doing something with the situation is a guarantee that you will not remain a “poor” student but become successful and entrepreneurial in the future.