15 Ways to Save Money in College

My change jar

As college students, saving money is one of those things that we're always thinking about.  I'm guilty of getting my paycheck on Thursday night and then Friday morning, I go out and spend it on a new handbag that I didn't need or on a burrito bowl at Chipotle.  The truth is, I know that I need to start saving up my money while I'm in school in order to be able to survive on my own once I finish college in three years.

I've comprised a list of the best ways that I've found to save money while in college - some are extremely obvious, but some are actually pretty good things to start incorporating into your life.  Even if you're not in college, incorporating these simple techniques will help anyone save money.

1. Get a part-time job.
2. When it comes to textbooks, rent them if you can.  If you can't, then purchase them used - most used textbooks are more than 50% off and the best part?  When you're done with the textbooks, you can sell them and get your money back. 
3. Use your dining plan if you have one at school.  You're already paying for a dining plan, so why not use it?  There's nothing wrong with the occasional Papa John's pizza, but there's no need to pay for a dining plan and take-out.
4. Have a change jar and throw any change you get into that each night.  Not only will your purse weigh less, it's a great way to save up a considerable amount of money and not even realize it.
5. When you go food shopping, always go with a list and make sure you're not hungry.  A list will assure you that you only buy what's on it and nothing more. 
6. Don't be afraid to ask places if they offer student discounts. (Article coming soon)
7. Sell things that you don't want or need anymore for some extra cash.
8. Make your own coffee.  I'm one of those girls that goes to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts every morning, but I've started eating breakfast at home and have saved a ton of money.
9. Save your receipts or keep track of how much money you're spending each month.
10. Use coupons whenever possible.
11. Buy generic brands of what you're buying.  There's no need to pay $7.99 for Tylenol when the drugstore brand of the same thing is only $4.99.
12. If you impulse buy, write down the item and the price and leave the store.  Wait a week and see if you still want it, if you do and you can justify it, go ahead and buy it, but if not, then save your money.
13. Take advantage of living on campus and not having to pay rent each month in addition to tuition.
14. Keep applying for scholarships.
15. The number one thing that I came up with that I started not too long ago was I give myself a budget every week.  Each week I take out $50 from my bank account.  I use that all week to buy things that I want or need and then at the end of the week, I put all of the extra money into a mason jar.  At the end of the year, I'll transfer all of the change into my change jar and will deposit all of the bills back into my bank account.  It'll be like newfound money.

I hope at least one of these tips helps you save some extra money!  If you have any helpful money saving tips that I didn't cover in this article, leave it in the comments below!