10 Ways to Live Frugally in College

Most people agree that college is one of the best times of your life, and is something that you can only live through once. The problem is, living it up can be difficult when you’re on a college budget. Living frugally in college is something that just about everyone has to go through, and if you plan for it, it doesn’t have to be that hard.

Here are 10 ways to live frugally in college.

Buy Used Books

Most people find that one of the biggest money-suckers in college is paying for books for classes. Depending on one’s class load, getting all of the necessary books can sometimes cost many hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, it’s possible to buy used textbooks online for a fraction of the cost. When buying textbooks, one should never pay full price.

Eat Out Less

Eating out, no matter what meal it is, always costs more than it would cost to prepare food yourself. For those who live in dorms, utilize the community kitchen, or – if you don’t have one – get creative and cook food in a microwave or on a hot plate. Eating out once costs sometimes as much as eating in three or four times, and it soon becomes clear that one of the best ways to save money is to just simply stop eating out so much. Using a meal out as a treat is a great way to warrant it. Otherwise, save your money by making your own meals.

Take the Bus

Gas is expensive, and paying for it can be detrimental for a college student that doesn’t have the money. Fortunately, most college campuses provide bus services that are either free or relatively inexpensive. Utilizing bus services is a great way to save money on gas, and is more ecologically sound as well. Even if the bus service is not free, it’s likely that it will be far less expensive than driving.

Ride a Bike

Another way to save on transportation is simply to ride a bike. Not only does riding a bike cost nothing, but it is also a great way to stay in shape. Bikes can be purchased inexpensively and are easy to store, making them perfect for college students that don’t have a lot of money or space. If a bus is not an option, riding a bike is certainly your next best bet for transportation.

Grocery Shop on a Budget

One of the most important things you can do if you’re interested in living frugally in college is to grocery shop with an eye for budgeting. When shopping, skip the expensive brands in cases where it won’t matter to you (such as canned items or pasta), as this can save you quite a bit of money. Also, be sure that you don’t treat yourself to expensive items more often than you should, as this can add up quickly.

Don’t Drink a Lot

College students are notorious for drinking and partying. The fact is, however, drinking is pretty expensive, and can be a cash-sucking activity if you do it too often. Drinking every once in a while is fine so long as you are 21, but if you find yourself drinking often, rest assured that it is not only unhealthy, but it can get extremely expensive over time. Do yourself a favor by only rewarding yourself with a drink ever now and then, rather than drinking to excess on a nightly basis.

Don’t Treat Yourself Too Often

A lot of people find that the thing they hate the most about living on a budget is that they have to adjust their lifestyle to the point where they don’t get to treat themselves nearly as often as they used to. The fact is, this is the only way to save money. By exercising some restraint upon yourself, you can save some money and enjoy the treats that await you more fully than if you were to constantly be rewarding yourself for nothing. Put simply, save treating yourself for when you really deserve it, and it will mean more.

Take Advantage of Free Activities

Everyone likes to go to concerts, movies and other entertainment events, but the simple fact is that it can cost quite a bit of money to do this. However, there are free parks and natural areas all over the world that can be taken advantage of. Instead of spending a fortune at a bar or event space, take a hike. Not only is it easier on your wallet, it’s usually the healthier activity.

Brew Your Own Coffee

College students love coffee; after all, it’s the beverage of choice for those who need to spend long hours studying. Buying cup after cup at the coffee shop can add up to quite a bit of money, however. By brewing your own coffee, you can save a lot of money each week.

Get a Part-Time Job

Living frugally can be difficult, and having a part-time job is a great way to ease the stress a little bit. While you should still adhere to the basics of frugal living, having a part-time job will allow you to save and even treat yourself a little more often. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your studies, having a part-time job is a great way to help you live frugally.