Let me preface this by just saying I’m cheap — though I prefer the term frugal.
Regardless, this is my last semester at ASU, and I’ve learned a thing or two about how to save money while maintaining a college student’s lifestyle. (Believe it or not, I still don’t have a credit card.) I recently read an article from the U.S. News & World Report on ways consumers have been changing their spending habits in the midst of the recession. The article had some good suggestions and inspired me to create my own list of what I’ve learned along the way.
Without further adieu:
1. If you can, live with several people. This significantly cuts living expenses and bills when they are divided between several people.
2. If you do live with others, take turns making meals. If you don’t, try to make meals at home that will yield leftovers and therefore bodily nourishment for days to come, so you can avoid eating out every night.
3. Shop smart. Use a grocery list to avoid impulse buys. Shop at Costco or Sam’s Club, and buy items that will last a while and that you will actual use. But don’t buy all your groceries there or it could get expensive. If possible, share and split the cost of groceries with another person or several people (i.e. roommates) for commonly used grocery items like milk or bottled water.
3. Speaking of bottled water, cut out unnecessary expenses. Invest in a water cooler, or if you are lucky enough to have a reverse osmosis system, take advantage of it. Instead of constantly purchasing bottled water, buy a reusable container and refill it. While you’re at it, give up other unnecessary expenses like that daily coffee fix or weekly manicures. Instead, make coffee at home or paint your own nails.
4. Share, share, share. Borrow clothes from friends. Instead of constantly spending to update your wardrobe, supplement it with items from your roommates, siblings, parents or whoever has stylish clothing you can snag. (Note: Make sure to get their permission first!) Or clean out your closet and host a clothing swap with friends or trade in clothes at places like Buffalo Exchange or Plato’s Closet.
5. Don’t invest too much in furnishings like community furniture, dishware, etc. College is short, and things are bound to happen. I’ve found plenty of people are more than willing to donate their old couches, TV stands, desks, etc. to a college kid in need. Wait until you are more settled to invest in quality furniture that will last.
6. Take advantage of free stuff. I love to stock up on free pens and pencils during the fairs held around campus throughout the year. Use resources like the library and next to free alternatives such as public transportation.
Additional tips I’ve heard from other ASU students:
- Buy generic rather than brand names for groceries and toiletries. You probably won’t be able to tell the difference.
- Print multiple PowerPoint slides on one piece of paper, rather than one slide per page, to save on ink.
- Buy textbooks or other books off amazon.com (or look into renting) rather than often overpriced bookstores.
Do you have any money-saving tips you’ve learned while attending ASU and living on a student budget? We’d love to hear them.
Contact the writer at nicole.ethier@asu.edu.
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