14 practical ways to save $$$ during college

1.  Take advantage of all your school discounted or free services, including the gym, laundromat and cafes.

2.  Avoid buying groceries at convenience shops near campus; they’re way overpriced.

3.  Always look for places with student discounts, especially off campus: at the movies, bookstores, restaurants, Amazon Prime Student, large clothing retailers and public transportation.

4.  Use your Christmas/birthday wish list to get those pricier items that will save you money

while away:

• A kick scooter; your campus may have them for rent, but a good quality one of your own will save you money and time. Also, if your campus is in a guaranteed snow area in winter, ask for a snow scooter, you’ll be surprised how handy that will be!
• A crockpot where you can slow cook meals for several days, and even tasty breakfasts to share with friends on weekends!
• A marble pastry board on which you can have hot appliances while they cook, and which you’ll find many uses for at other times.
• An electric kettle plus French press (so that you can make coffee or tea, anytime!).
• A collection of large, airtight containers to keep dry goods like pasta, sugar, coffee so that you won’t get bugs (it happens, it’s upsetting, and it’s expensive).

5.  Always accept dinner and lunch invitations, even if you think it will be boring: you’ll get a free meal, and people to talk to.

A French press. Imagen: Rachel Brenner - Unsplash.

6.  If someone offers you a freebie, clothing, furniture, a gadget; think of it carefully and if it’s of use to you, great. If not, think of your friends and roommates as it might be of use to someone and you’ll score friendship points.

7.  Community events at school help you meet people and often provide food/drinks.
8.  Are there common grills available? Take advantage of them to cook and meet peeps.

9.  Avoid driving to college, as parking permits are payable every semester; a bike or scooter (invest in a good lock!) will save you money, barely take up space, and are good exercise.

10.  Buy wholesale; if your parents belong to Costco or Sam’s Club, get a family card and take advantage of it. If you won’t have room to buy many things, hook up with friends or

Image: Phuoc Le Man - Unsplash.

roommates to share purchases and then split them.

11.  Actually, try and get used to shopping with friends and cooking together. It saves everyone money and time.

12.  Never go shopping for groceries when hungry.

13.  Don’t buy music; instead, take advantage of the free services from streaming such as Pandora or Spotify.

14.  If you’ve been at school a while, consider becoming a student advisor: many colleges offer free room and board in exchange for that service.