10 Ways to Save Money in College

Save your money and one day it'll return the favor. Photo: Eliana on Flickr.

If you’re a college student looking for ways to save money, here are 10 ways you can start today.

1. Shop at thrift stores. When your clothes wear out, or you want something new to wear, hit up your local thrift store instead of the mall. Just because you’re buying second hand doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on style. You’ll have a look all your own!
2. Eat ramen variations. Nothing’s cheaper than ramen noodles. There are lots of creative ways you can cook ramen, including a ramen stir-fry.
3. Cut your own hair like oiiiiiiishii, who cuts her own bangs. You can also go to a hair school and get your cut and color for a discount — I once got a $10 cut and style at a hair school!
4. Get a bus pass. Colleges can usually get you a discounted student rate on a bus pass, too. It’ll be way cheaper than a car payment, insurance, and filling up with $3/gallon gas every month.
5. Take advantage of student discounts. If you’re living in a college town, many local stores will offer student discounts. Our local Red Mango gets students 10% off their purchase.
6. Keep utility costs down. There’s lots of ways to save on the utility bill. Turn the heat down, grab a blanket or a snuggle partner instead. Turn out the lights. Hang up your clothes instead of drying them.
7. Avoid vacations you can’t afford. Even if that means sticking around campus for spring break so you can go home for the summer.
8. Get a job. Lots of college campuses employ college students. Even if it means taking out the trash as a college custodian at 4am, the perk is your job is just around the corner from your dorm instead of across town at the burger joint.
9. Split the internet bill. If your apartment doesn’t come equipped with its own internet, split the wireless bill with your roommate or your gaming buddy across the hall.
10. Upgrade your ram. If your computer is running slow and you’re thinking about buying a new computer, your computer will run if you install new ram instead. Don’t write off that laptop just yet!