College life is expensive, especially when a student is
living away from home. In addition to tuition, the cost of textbooks, snacks,
car services, clothes and entertainment can quickly add up. Luckily, there are
many little ways to save, like using a grocery coupon or showing
a college ID to get a student discount. The savings a student realizes over the
course of a college career can go into a bank account to work toward a major
purchase, such as a car or vacation, or be allocated to an entertainment fund for
a nice night out with friends. This list of college savings strategies will get
every student on the road to surviving on a student budget.
1. Invest in the
Sunday paper
The weekend newspaper is often full of coupons for
everything from food to shampoo. Spending $2 per week on a newspaper could
yield several dollars' worth of coupons for household goods like laundry
detergent, paper towels and all those other daily necessities parents are no
longer supplying. Combine newspaper coupons with coupons for the grocery and
rack up savings at the register.
2. Stack coupons with
in-store sales
Many stores restrict the use of multiple coupons together,
but college students looking for extra savings can still stack a coupon with a
product already on sale, so check the discount racks first. Another strategy is
to hold on to clipped coupons for several weeks before using them, since stores
rarely put items on sale at the same time they release a coupon. They may,
however, discount an item a month or so after the coupon goes to print but
before it expires.
3. Harness social networking
College students are already well-versed in Facebook,
Twitter, Pinterest and other social media
networks, but how many of them use those networks to save money? Liking a
business on Facebook or following them on Twitter means students will be
informed of the latest promotions or sales. Check local bookstores, car repair
shops, clothing stores or other favorite retail outlets for social media pages
and get following.
4. Sign up for reward
programs
Most grocery store chains offer free customer loyalty
programs that give small discounts on many advertised products. Students who
shop at the same grocery store frequently can save plenty of money by filling
out a simple form and showing their loyalty card each time they shop.
5. Join group coupon sites
Even a poor college student needs a special night out once
and a while. Signing up for group deal websites can help cut costs on
everything from spa packages to workout gear, but they're especially useful for
restaurant discounts. Sites like Groupon and LivingSocial frequently offer
vouchers at half price, so students looking for an excuse to try that new
Mexican restaurant or splurge on an old favorite won't have to dig into their savings
to do so.
6. Save cans and bottles
Students attending college in one of the states that pay for
recycling cans and bottles can earn some
extra pocket change by holding on to all those soda cans. If a student's
ambitious enough, s/he can set up a dorm- or apartment-wide collection program
to benefit from their neighbors' aluminum and glass.
7. Cash in on student
status
Before
purchasing the latest smartphone, laptop or software
program, check for student discounts at electronics stores, especially
come
back-to-school time. Many college bookstores work with electronics
retailers to
offer discounts. You really want to compare textbooks when possible to
find the best prices. Some companies like Apple add in freebies for
students, such
as mail-in rebates on a new iPod or printer with the purchase of a
computer.
Movie theaters, museums, ticket outlets and national parks often offer
student
pricing as well.
Surviving on a student budget will take some planning but it
can be done. Know where to look for deals, save every opportunity to save from
retailer flier to grocery coupon and never be afraid to pipe up and find out if
a student discount is available.
Contributed by Joe Baker
You can reach him at josephbker@gmail.com
You can reach him at josephbker@gmail.com
