Money-Saving Tips for the College Student

College: the best six years of your life.  However, if you’re wise, focused, and frugal, you might make it through the journey in four. One of the hardest things to do in college is to save money.  It’s not impossible, though.  A few tips…  

1.  Campus Events.  Take advantage of events on campus that provide food and drinks.  There’s always some club or organization promoting itself, and generally free food and/or drinks are offered.  Why buy a $7 dollar sandwich for lunch when you can find free buffets all over campus?  
2.  Watchful Spending.  Manage your expenses online.  It’s as easy as checking your bank account online once a week.  You can also create a Mint.com account or use a Google doc to manage your money.  My tech-savvy roommate created a Google doc with formulas in place.  I would input my earnings and expenses, and the doc would calculate what I saved each month.  It’s something I have used beyond my college days.   
3.  Screw Starbucks.  You don’t have to give it up entirely, but avoid your daily Starbucks fix.  It’s so easy to make your own coffee, and you end up saving a ton.  If you must feed your addiction, at least bring your own mug.  
4.  Embrace the inner nerd.  The more time you spend in the library, the less time you spend at bars, restaurants, and stores.  
5.  Active lifestyle.  It might be an hour at the gym daily, intramural volleyball twice a week, or a recreation class a couple times a week.  Similar to the library, the gym helps you focus on an activity that’s totally free and beneficial.    
6.  Amazon.  If you’re buying reading materials at your school’s bookstore, stop that nonsense immediately.  Amazon is the way to go.  It’s an easy way to save money on books.
7.  It’s 5 O’Clock somewhere.  Do the damn thing.
8.  Suzy Homemaker.  Suzy knows what’s up.  Get comfortable in the kitchen and start cooking your own meals.  Limit your dining expenses by making cheap, easy and healthy dinners (pasta, soups, salads, sausage, fruits and vegetables) or by packing your own lunches.  It takes five minutes to make a sandwich in the morning.
9.  Recycle, Reduce and Reuse.  I never wore normal clothes in college.  College is the time in your life when you can once again play dress-up, but now you get to do it drunk.  Instead of buying new costumes for each event, recycle and reuse outfits to reduce spending.  (See what I did there?)  Share with friends, or even pull from your parents’ old wardrobe.  I found some 70s and 80s gems in my Mom’s closet.
10.  Save on flights.  Chances are you’ll follow the bandwagon to Las Vegas or Cabo over Spring Break.  Save on your flight using Travelocity coupons.  Then use the money saved to buy drinks.  What?  You would have done it anyway.
11.  Cosco card.  The only men in your college life should be Jack, Jim and Bud.  You will spend a lot of time with these fellas, but they can be expensive friends.  You’re going to want to invest in a Cosco card.  That’s the best way to guarantee a long-lasting relationship.   
12.  Ditch the card.  When you hit the bars or clubs, leave your credit or debit card at home.  Bring out the amount of cash you're willing to spend. Period.  I learned this lesson after repeatedly buying rounds of tequila shots.  “It’s fine…I’ll just put it on my magic card.” Magic, my ass. 
13.  XYZ.  Ladies, if you bring a purse out, make it a satchel of sorts.  That way your hands are free and all your goodies are safe.  If you must bring a clutch, be sure there’s a secure zipper inside for you to lock up your keys, cards, and cash.  The last time I brought out a clutch (no inner zipper), rumor has it I participated in some bar dancing, and I may or may not have showered the crowd below with all of my valuables-- car keys, house keys, even my spearmint gum.  I never found them and had to buy new keys AND a new pack of Orbitz.  #coyoteuglygonehorriblywrong.

Erin Prickett is a bargain hunter who enjoys finding great deals on travel.  She recommends using Travelocity coupons to save on your next flight.