Being a student is tough, and scholarships are pretty high. On top of this, the costs of living are higher than ever, which affects those who are already struggling with budgeting the most. Fortunately, students are resilient, and there are many programs, amenities, and even guides to help them get by during this trying period. With that in mind, here are the top seven ways students can reduce their expenses.
- Buy a Chromebook
They start at much cheaper costs but have a pretty decent price range. You can buy a Chromebook for as little as $50. That’s their blessing… and their curse. Why? Well, because some people still manage to get mad about the fact that their $200 Chromebook isn’t performing as well as their $700 laptop.
For struggling students, this is a simple and handy device that can allow them to access the internet, consume most media formats, and use it for social media.
They support Android apps, which means that you’ll have a seamless experience and the privilege of using apps that you’re already using.
Cybersecurity apps are more than decent, and finding a good Chromebook antivirus software is easier than ever before. According to Techopedia specialist Ilijia Miljkovac, this was a major roadblock in the past, not the lack of dependable software but the fact that people had little to no knowledge of it.
They’re light and portable, which is great for students who are always on the run and use them from benches, coffee shops, and libraries.
- Take Advantage of Student Discounts
There are so many retailers offering student discounts on all sports or products. This can vary from clothing to electronics; if there’s ever a discount, you should use it. Why? Well, because you’re getting the same product for less money, which means that you’ll feel like you’re making money out of thin air.
You can even get streaming services with student rates, which seems unnecessary, but you have to keep in mind that streaming services are one of the cheapest forms of entertainment. A monthly Netflix or Max subscription can provide you with an entire month of content.
There are also many platforms that will provide you with student software license options. Even Microsoft 365 has a student license that gives you all you would get with a basic plan but at a discount.
Transportation discounts with student ID are one of the most used discounts out there, especially since students commute significantly more than others. This is why they have to be extra crafty and hope that they would stay on the budget.
- Cook at Home
Groceries are cheaper than dining out, and that’s a fact that everyone understands. There are two reasons why students don’t cook. First, they believe that it will take too much of their time. Second, they don’t believe that they have everything they need to prepare these meals. Both of these problems have a solution.
If time is a problem, that’s because you are under a misconception that you actually need to prepare it every day. Instead, you can meal prep for the week and then just produce the package whenever you need it.
If you believe you don’t have what you need, that’s just because you’re restricting yourself, thinking about conventional meals. There are so many simple recipes with affordable ingredients. You also don’t need an oven, a microwave, or a blender if you don’t have them. In the age of the internet, just find the right tool and tell it what you have. It will come up with ideas.
You can also save leftovers for multiple meals. Not all food is perishable, and being a bit more economical while meal planning can really go a long way.
- Use Public Transportation
The use of public transportation is significantly cheaper than owning a car unless you have a group of friends that you can carpool with. Still, you won’t take the same courses, which means that carpooling will be really har to make reliable.
When it comes to tickers and fares, there are a lot of student discounts available and you can use them to your own advantage.
Another hidden cost-saving perk of public transportation is the fact that there are no parking fees. There are also no maintenance fees or part replacements. When talking about using your own personal vehicle, the majority of people start and end the equation with the cost of gas, but there’s so much more to it than that.
Needless to say, this is an environmentally friendly option, which is something that more and more students care about.
- Buy Used Textbooks
One of the biggest expenses that students face is the acquisition of textbooks. There are significant savings when buying used textbooks over new books. You get to save a small fortune, and the knowledge in the books remains the same. Other than just knowing that you have new books and that they’re in mint condition, you don’t get any extra value.
You can buy these books online. In fact, online marketplaces for used books are one of the places where you can find old textbooks the most reliably.
The best part is that you can just sell books after the semester is over.
You can also consider a digital version of the book. It’s almost always cheaper than the hardcover, and you can have it on your phone, laptop or tablet.
- Use Free Campus Resources
Students trying to save money usually do so on non-essential expenses like gym membership. Well, a lot of campuses have free gyms and recreational facilities that you can use. When you think of it, you’re already paying for it through your tuition, so why not take advantage of it and use an opportunity to save some money?
Access to library resources means more now than it did in the past. You see, modern technology is changing the way we learn, and while not all students have the resources they need (in terms of licenses, etc.), they may be able to log in from the library. Here, they can find many academic papers that they might have to use for their work.
You can also attend free campus events for entertainment. Entrance fees and tickets are expensive, but these events are at the core of the student experience. Fortunately, there’s always something going on on the campus.
Finally, you should utilize free tutoring and academic services wherever you can. You’re already paying for knowledge to make sure to get every crumb you can for free in order to get your money’s worth.
Every tip from this list could tip the scales heavily in your favor
Sure, not all students struggle, but students who are not struggling are not really a target audience for an article like this. Every saving method is a compromise. That much is true. However, none of the compromises on this list require too great of austerity, and once you get used to them, they’ll become just a way of life. They become small habits that you don’t even pay attention to, tasks you perform automatically, and a few weeks later, you just notice a surplus in your budget.
