When you’re in college; learning to manage money is hard. Some people get used to it at an early age, where as others don’t have that privilege. If you are one of those individuals, whose parents took care of finances for them, you may find yourself with a lack of understanding of how to manage money. If you learn only one lesson in college, it will be how to save money. Saving money takes creativity and planning. Shop only when stores have sales, even if the only sale is something odd such as maternity wear. Even maternity clothes can be cute; you just have to buy two to three sizes smaller. Now, of course, not all money saving tips requires such odd shopping tactics. If you follow these tips, you can learn to live on a smaller budget, but at least you’ll be supporting yourself.
The first place to start is your food expenses. Eating out with your friends may be fun but it isn’t financially smart. Eating out is expensive. Going to the grocery store can save you hundreds of dollars. Even if you eat a lot, you will be surprised how far you can stretch a dollar at the store. Use coupons and take advantage of sales. Generic food brands are much less expensive so you may have to start using them. Perhaps go shopping when you visit home with your parents and buy food in bulk, which makes it much cheaper as well. Also, try to cut out eating habits such as dessert or drinking soda. Things like that add up very quickly on your budget. Soda is very expensive. Buy a water bottle and take it with you places so you don’t ever feel the need to buy a soda.
Another place to try and save money is transportation. Taking cabs, driving, all of these things can be very expensive. Using public transit is one of the best ways to save money. In most cities you can purchase cards for special prices and reduced rates. Also, if you are going somewhere within five miles of your home or dorm, try using a bike. Riding a bike is great exercise and saves money. With the price of Gas so high nowadays, avoiding using cabs and ars is the best possible plan.
Last but not least comes shopping. This is an area where you should be the most frugal. Clothes are fun, and it is understandable to want to look nice, but you may not be able to shop like you used to. Try and buy pieces you can mix with a lot of things. Staples like vests, a cute pair of sorts, a scarf, boots, can all be thrown with different out fits and make it look brand new. Doing this will keep your outfits looking spicy and new. On the days you do need to go shopping, shop smart. However, that doesn’t mean buy something cheap. Buy something that will last, so that you only have to buy it once. When buy sandals, the twenty dollar ones may make more sense that the two dollar ones if you plan on wearing them frequently.