Continuing with our series on college expenses, Financing Wealth wants to offer you some tips on how to save on college expenses. The cost of attending college is astronomical these days. You already have to deal with tuition, but what about added expenses when you get to campus? Here are some tips for cutting down on your college expenses.
Textbooks
Surprisingly, most students still buy their textbooks from the campus bookstore. This is a huge mistake, as campus bookstores are always overpriced. Instead, buy your textbooks online from sites like Amazon or CampusBooks.com. You will get a much lower price, and you can also pay even less for used books. It is also smart to get some of you money back at the end of the semester by selling your books back.
Transportation
Gas prices are at an all-time high, and they don’t look like they are going to go back down anytime soon. Instead of spending a ton of money on gas, get a bus pass or even a bicycle. Bus passes are usually not expenses, and they will be even cheaper with a student/education discount.
While you may not want to ride the bus or ride a bicycle at first, doing so will put a ton of extra cash in your pocket. This extra cash can be used towards other expenses, or even used for fun.
Rent
This sounds backwards, but it is actually much cheaper to rent a place off-campus and get a roommate or two and share the expenses. Dorm housing on campus caries a huge fee, and if you are able to find a nice place off-campus with a roommate, then that should be your course of action.
Utilities and Phone
I am not going to go as far as to say you should not pay for a cell phone. However, you definitely don’t need the added expenses of add-on utilities in your home. If you have a smartphone, then you already have Internet access. You can also go to campus and use their Internet for free.
Using tools like Skype and other free services to make calls will also save you money and allow you to have more cash in your pocket.
Shopping
This one gets away from a lot of students, especially during the first year of college. It is smart to search around for the best deals, many of which will be found online. You will also more than likely be given a student/education discount from most places, so make sure you ask. Thousands of dollars can either be saved or thrown away, depending on how you utilize your shopping time.
Food and Entertainment
The best part about going to college? It is the first time you feel independent, and more than likely the first time you will have a daily opportunity to blow money on food and entertainment.
It is important to keep an eye out for food and entertainment discounts. Movie theaters, malls and many restaurants offer discounts for students, so always put these to good use. You will more than likely want to spend entertainment money all the time, as this is part of college. However, making your money last will make you look smarter, and save you money at the same time.
College expenses can et out of hand fast. Whether your parents are providing for you, you are working, or both, utilize some if these tips and see if you don’t cut down on your college expense bill tremendously. Not only that, but you will always have extra cash in your pocket to have fun with.
Saving Money on College Series, Also Read:
Money Saving Tips to Save on College Tuition