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7 Effective Tips On How To Save Money While Still Being A Student

 

 

As a student, you may be wondering how to save money while still studying. It is possible! In this article, you'll see 7 tips on how to save money as a student. These are some of the best things that students can do in order to help them with their finances and keep more money in their pockets.

 

Cook in bulk and freeze meals for later

If you cook your meals in bulk, you will be able to freeze them for later. Cooking in bulk means doubling or even tripling the recipe which can save a student money because it is cheaper if they buy more ingredients at once and do not have to worry about going grocery shopping every week.



Freezing food is a great way to save money. Students often have limited time, so cooking in bulk and freezing meals before grocery shopping is an easy way for them to be efficient with their student schedule and still enjoy delicious home-cooked meals on the cheap. 


By doing this you'll be saving tons of money on groceries, and will be able to eat healthy even when you are busy. If a student's cooking in bulk and freezing food is done right, it can save a student up to $200 per month! It's important to save both time and money in college and this is a way to do both. You'll still have good meals and won't have to worry about time and money for the next couple of days.

 

Pack lunches from home

Wherever you go home, make sure you pack some food upon returning. Not only will this save money, but it also means that your student loans won't be paying for overpriced cafeteria food. 


Make lunches the night before to avoid being rushed in the morning, and pack snacks like granola bars or fruit (instead of buying expensive convenience store items). Consider brown-bagging it on days when you'll need to carry heavy things and don't want to use an extra set of hands. Take advantage of depending on your parents. 


You may not realize how much you spend on groceries until you start packing meals at home - if nothing else, do yourself a favor and remember what was so important about eating as cheaply as possible when life is simpler than balancing student loan payments! 

 

Cut down on impulse purchases

You should never be a big spender, student or not. Impulse buys are often a waste of money that you could have done without. This is especially true for students, who basically live paycheck to paycheck and do not really know how their finances work yet. By cutting down on impulse purchases like coffee runs every day, shopping trips with friends, or going out to bars each week you'll be able to save more money in the long run which will help if times get tough such as when your student loans come due after graduation


These things may seem small but they add up quickly! You can still go out frequently and enjoy yourself while saving some cash at the same time by only buying one drink instead of two (or just getting water), or by not ordering appetizers or dessert. This is a great way to enjoy the things you love without having to sacrifice your money in order to do it!

 

Buy a bike instead of driving or taking public transportation

A bicycle can be a student's friend to get around, not only is it good for the environment but it will save you money as well. A bicycle can cost anywhere from $150-500 and this price range can be substantially cheaper than owning a car or public transportation ticket. Students who opt to ride their bikes instead of driving often report that they have more free time on their hands because they are not stuck in traffic jams at busy intersections.


Bicycles don’t require gas so while commuting students won't need to fill up their rides with expensive fuel before going out on an adventure, which means saving money!

 

Use your student ID as much as possible

Take advantage of student ID cards as much as you can to save money on student discounts. Many companies offer student discounts and student ID is usually accepted before a certain date, which may be the last day of school for your age group if it's summer break or winter break.


  • Here is a list of things a student ID can get you a discount for:

  • student ID cards for public transportation 

  • student discounts on travel packages 

  • student deals at many stores and restaurants, such as Gap and Applebee's

  • student pricing on car insurance

  • student discounts on student theater, concerts, and museums 

  • student ID cards for some gyms which includes a student discount or free trial membership

  • student ID cards to give you access to many online services

Consider working part-time

A part-time job is a great way to save some money. You will have more time for your studies and can also make them more meaningful by earning the extra cash you need to cover student loans, books, or other needs.


If you are considering applying for one of these jobs, be sure that it is located near your school so that bus costs won't eat up all the savings you've made! It will make your life much easier, and you may find it's worth the extra time that will need to be put in.


Flexible hours are also important if you're going for a job at a student-friendly place like Starbucks, or even as an intern at your school! You'll get to work around your schedules so make sure this is something you look into when applying. 


If possible, apply for jobs with student discounts too. Many places offer them just because they know how hard students have it financially. It could save you lots of money over time on things like clothes from stores (H&M) or groceries (HEB)!

 

Turn off the lights and other electronics when not needed

Electricity bills can be high for student households, and turning off electronics when not needed can help lower energy costs. Consider setting a timer to shut down the television, computer, or other devices while in use rather than leaving them on standby mode.


Turn off the lights in rooms that are not being used. Unplug appliances such as coffee makers and microwaves after they have been turned off, and set your phone's screen brightness to low at night. 



Even with a budget, students can still save money on food by cooking in bulks and bringing some from home. Use your student ID as much as possible to get discounts and consider working part-time so that you are not relying solely on loans and scholarships while being able to earn some extra cash of your own. Be conservative with electricity and other expenses. Good luck living a better life as a student!