Save money and still have a blast at school... here are some great tips!
Frugal Living at College
College days are, for most people, a time when money is tight. While scholarships, grants, and student education loans can go a long way toward helping ends meet at college, it’s important to remember that it’s not just about how much money you can get, it’s also about how much money you can save by living smart.
Living frugally during your college years will require a little thought, and a game plan. But if you can save a little here and a little there, you’ll be amazed to find that you can have a great time in college without breaking the bank. We’ll try here to touch on a few ways that you can live smart while in school, and make the most of your money.
Consider buying your books online. If you can find the textbooks you need online through sources such as Amazon.com or Half.com, you could save big money on one of your larger expenses while at college. Of course you have to make sure that the textbooks you’re buying are the exact versions you need for each class. You also need to ensure that you’re ordering them far enough ahead to time, so that they’re ready for class when you are.
Bike or walk to class when possible. Not only does this help you to be more “green,” you’ll save a significant amount of fuel and vehicle maintenance expenses over time. And considering the amount of time a college student 
stays ‘holed up’ either in the classroom, library, or dorm room studying, the fresh air and exercise may do you good. You may even find that this helps you to get to class quicker, since a bike may help you avoid traffic jams. Of course, safety is first, so this may not be the best idea during inclement weather, or at night.
Use the on-campus cafeteria, and eat ‘creatively’ when you can’t. Making use of your meal card will ensure that you get ‘square meals’ daily, without going overboard on cost. Cheap and easy-to-prepare meals such as ramen noodles or instant ‘mac and cheese’ products offer a quick, warm snack when you’re in your room.
Another great way to eat cheap is to really take advantage of those ‘dollar menus’ that fast food places offer nowadays. How? Swing through and grab a double cheeseburger or burrito for a buck, take it home and eat it with a can of soda from your fridge, and a stack of chips. This way, you get a warm meal for almost nothing. Eating with friends? Grab 4 or 5 burgers off the dollar menu, bring them back home and do the same thing, on a bigger scale. Of course, fast food shouldn’t take the place of good meals on a regular basis, but if you want to break away from the cafeteria one night, this is a really cheap way to do it.
Take advantage of other on-campus facilities. Instead of going off campus for recreation, why not play a game of tennis on-campus? Keep on top of upcoming special events at your school, and take advantage of them. Instead of hitting a bar, hit your school’s fitness center facilities. With just a little research, you’ll likely find more going on around campus than you have time to take advantage of.
Get tuned into local churches and other organizations. Places of worship and other organizations are usually very receptive to students, and can be valuable resources on many fronts. For instance, most churches offer some type of youth program that caters to college students. These youth programs can be a source of free recreational activities, and may even offer out-of-town trips for little or nothing. Plus, a church group can be a great source of guidance and support for students living away from parents, when dealing with the pressures and influences present at most any college.
Instead of a night out at the movies, bring a good movie home. A night at the movies is great once in a while, but it’s also an easy way for a couple to blow through a $50 bill quickly. Why not bring a good movie and some popcorn back home? Want to save even more money? Rent the DVD from a “Redbox” machine, located at many Wal-Mart or Walgreen stores, and other locations, and you’ll only spend $1 a day for the movie! Sign up for Redbox at http://www.redbox.com .
Want to bring the ‘theater experience’ home? For less than $100, you can buy a DVD Home Theater system, with 5.1-channel surround sound. These low-cost theater systems probably won’t shake your foundation, but they offer a great movie experience that you can enjoy year round, for about the same cost as two ‘date nights’ at the movies. Why not share the expense? Invite friends over to enjoy your theater system, and ask them to bring the snacks for the night.
You can have a great time in college without being made of money. Being smart with your finances will help you get the most out of that scholarship, grant, or student education loan. With just a little planning, you’ll find that your dollars can stretch farther than you ever imagined. Learning to be a frugal college student will help you to get the max out of your money, and it’s a talent that you can take advantage of long after your college years have passed.
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