Smart Spending Tips for College Students
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If there's one thing every student knows about college, it's that school is expensive. Tuition fees are astronomical, and then you have to buy books and supplies that can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. By the time you get around to the other stuff, like food and entertainment, it can be difficult to fit those things into your budget. At CreditBox, we have come up with a list of smart saving tips for college students.
Grocery Shopping Tips
Eating at home instead of dining out is one of the best ways to save money. Use these grocery shopping tips to make sure you save even further:
While cooking at home is much cheaper than eating out, there may be times when you need to grab a meal from a restaurant. If you do, keep these cheap dining tips in mind:
Entertainment may not seem important to some people, but college life can't be all work and no play. Every once in a while, you need to let your hair down. From movie deals to ideas for socializing at home, check out these saving tips:
Grocery Shopping Tips
Eating at home instead of dining out is one of the best ways to save money. Use these grocery shopping tips to make sure you save even further:
- Make a list and a budget to buy exactly what you need, and don't stray from it.
- Use apps with grocery shopping tips, coupons, money-saving ideas, and special deals.
- Eat before you shop. If you go to the grocery store hungry, you'll buy everything in sight.
- Buying frozen instead of fresh vegetables is often cheaper, and they'll last longer. You can also freeze leftovers if you're the only one eating what you cook.
- Get a slow cooker. If you don't have time to cook, you can add some meat, vegetables, and your favorite seasonings to your slow cooker in the morning. By dinner time, you have a delicious meal.
While cooking at home is much cheaper than eating out, there may be times when you need to grab a meal from a restaurant. If you do, keep these cheap dining tips in mind:
- Don't buy drinks from restaurants. When you get takeout, make your own drinks at home.
- Sign up for emails. Most chain restaurants offer coupons and weekly specials through email.
- Check out the kids' menu. The food is usually cheaper, and the portions are still large enough for adults.
- Bring a friend. If you have other college friends who are on tight budgets, split the costs while you enjoy cheap dining and some social time.
Entertainment may not seem important to some people, but college life can't be all work and no play. Every once in a while, you need to let your hair down. From movie deals to ideas for socializing at home, check out these saving tips:
- Have a potluck party and split the costs of the evening with friends.
- Stream movies online and split the cost with friends. The price will cost you less than a ticket to the theater.
