David Morey 
Obtaining an education is among the most expensive things in your life. Compared to how much money you have and need to spend, it can be actually #1. Although you undeniably know already that having a scholarship is cheaper than deciding on a student loan, there are other things that you can do to save a dime here and there.
Plan Your Spending
While some purchases can require on-the-spot buying, others can help you save costs if you plan your budget beforehand. Consider how much money you need for your clothes, living, and study materials, and plan when to buy them. For instance, a lot of clothes for winter are much cheaper during the summer sales and vice versa. Similarly, if you find an apartment in advance, you won’t overpay for the last-day options. There’s no doubt you will need to do more thinking, though.
Make sure to use any discounts you can on everything from asking writers from fast essay writing services like FastEssay for quick academic papers to order essay online. There’s a fine line between spending money on everything that is for sale and understanding that some shops can help you save money. You can find many announcements about sales from a company of interest to you online. If you’ve got to choose fast between a discounted salad and an expensive one, you might want to choose the former option.
Of course, some students will buy anything they want and write it off as a necessity, but it depends on how many resources they have. Don’t feel shy or humiliated to buy discounted items or not go for high-priced brands. You don’t have to write essays on why it’s best to save money in an instant.
Some Ideas
It’s the most expensive thing aside from the cost of education, and you should try some affordable options listed below.
- Live with your parents. You can choose a college nearby, which will allow you to save lots of finances on rent. Sure, you may want to feel independent and all that, but your purse can have a say in it.
- Ask your family for help. Maybe you’ve moved to another side of the country and have a cousin there. Don’t expect them to help you just because you’re family, but at least ask them. Offer to pay a small amount of rent and do household chores or make food.
- Connect with your peers. Even before you start learning, many colleges and universities have social media groups with students in the same class or course. You can find requests about finding roommates or make such suggestions yourself. But be careful and try to find someone who looks like a good and reliable match.
- Become a resident advisor. Such opportunities are limited, but many students like this one. If you are a resident advisor, you get either free or discounted housing. Sure, you will have some responsibilities, but let’s just say that it’s worth it.
Learn From Senior Students
One of the most essential things you can overlook is that senior students are your main allies who can help you on your way toward a more sustainable lifestyle. Ask them about the best places to rent, dine, and buy stuff. Although it seems like a basic thing to approach, most people overlook this. Look on social media and search for those who still study at the college. This way, the information will be up-to-date.
Additionally, keep in mind that a lot of studying materials are repeated year after year. So if your professor asks you to buy books, ask first among the previous year’s learners: many of them sell textbooks and even studying materials at a much smaller price. You can actually get some shortcuts, such as lecture notes, as a bonus. The same goes for furniture and other crucial items that you can get from them at a much cheaper price.
The Secret Is In The Details
Although it would be awesome to have some cool life hacks that no one knows about, the majority of them come down to practice and consistency.
- Get your friends involved. If you’re a fan of TV shows like most of us are, divide your expenses with your friends. For example, one of you can pay for Netflix, the other one for Hulu, and the third one for HBO. If that’s too much, just pay for one service that you will use. The same decision can be made about books, audiobooks, or any other entertainment.
- Use libraries. For some reason, certain students think that libraries don’t have the content they seek or even are outdated. However, most of today’s libraries are not only modern but regularly update both educational and entertainment options. And the vibe? That’s something you can’t ever replace. Also, many libraries have not just books but even board games or crucial video materials and journals.
- Use public transportation. In this economy, having a car is not always a viable option. Really consider changing your priorities and going on a bus/train if you can.
- Don’t buy things on a whim. Sure, you can treat yourself to a nice cup of coffee or a bag of chips once in a while but try to minimize such occurrences and just plan your meals and cook at home.
Main Mistakes
When trying to do your best, you might make some mistakes that can spread your efforts too thin. For example, a lot of budgeting resources suggest using your money wisely and dividing it between your needs, wants, and savings. The truth is, you don’t always have a chance to save money. If you already have very little, you just can’t save a lot, and that’s fine. A lot of learners and generally adults in their 20s live on borrowed money and time.
Additionally, don’t be so frugal that it makes your life a living hell. Be smart with your decisions; in some cases, you might risk your life simply because you try to be money-wise. For instance, if you feel that you are being followed late at night, just go and get a taxi. Or, if you have concerns about that food you’ve bought and if you are unsure about whether it is edible or not, throw it away and don’t risk food poisoning. Your life is more important than money.
Inflexibility is another problem that many students are forced to encounter at least once during their college years. If you can, try to make sure that your health and needs are taken care of. Otherwise, you might spend thousands in the ER. Also, your plans might need a little bit of adjustment if certain unexpected problems arise. And that’s okay.
Conclusion
Remember that your efforts can help your student lives be less stressful. By planning and working with your support network, you can graduate with minimum or even zero debt. However, be realistic about your abilities and remember that money can’t replace your psychological and physical well-being, so prioritize them.
