6 Ways To Save Your Cash This Semester

By Ally Russell on October 4, 2016

Even though most of us are almost a month and a half into the semester, some people are already at the point where they are out of cash and desperate for some money. Some people blow it all in the dining hall, others on Starbucks and going out, or for someone like me, it’s usually on clothes.

However, over the years I have found ways to keep myself on track and to make sure I still have enough money to pay my bills at the end of the semester.

1. Budget out your month.

This may seem like the most obvious tip in the world, but budgeting out your month is super helpful. What I do is I give myself a set amount that I am allowed to spend for the month. Then I dedicate some money to groceries, gas, bills that I have to pay, and emergency money.

After all that is budgeted out, the rest goes into a miscellaneous category. I find that if I have a structure, I am more likely to stay on track throughout the month as opposed to flying by the seat of my pants and spending money on whatever catches my eye.

via Pixabay

2. Get a part-time job.

Now, when I say part-time job, that doesn’t mean you have to go to your local Walmart or Target and sign the rest of your free time away. What I have found is that a lot of part-time jobs actually exist on campus. Some departments need undergrad or graduate students to do the filing and paperwork for them throughout the week, and a lot of them are flexible and will give you hours that surround your schedule as opposed to you building your schedule around your work hours. Some of them are really cool and will let you do homework if there is a lot of downtime in the office. I highly suggest checking out your school’s job page and searching; you never know what you may find.

If a part-time job isn’t something you can fit into your schedule, there are other quick and easy ways to make money on the side. One example is user testing products and websites, or selling some of your old stuff on eBay. This article from Lifehack has definitely helped me get some extra cash in my pocket without taking up too much of my time.

3. Stay in.

While no one ever wants to miss out on all of the fun, going out can be pretty pricy. Paying for food, drinks, or a new cute outfit takes money out of your pocket. The memories may be worth it, but you may also be regretting that decision at the end of the month when you’re hard for cash.

Instead of going out with your friends, suggest having a movie or game night; that way you can save some money and still have a great time with your friends. Your bank account will definitely thank you for it.

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4. Eat from home.

If you live off campus, before you even step into that grocery store, I highly consider making a list before you go. That way you aren’t tempted to grab those Jell-O Pudding snacks you’ll never touch after you eat one. Make sure that when you are making a grocery list that you have meals in mind. If you just buy random things and don’t know what you’re eating for the week, then you will be tempted to go out and eat somewhere that will have a meal prepared for you.

If you live on campus, make sure that you try and eat all of those boxes of Ramen that your mom sent, or those care packages from grandma that definitely have instant mac and cheese in them. Sometimes they aren’t always the thing you want to eat, or even the best tasting thing, but you will be saving yourself dining dollars for later in the semester.

5. Be on the lookout for coupons and sales.

If you are a shopaholic, definitely be on the hunt for sales and coupons. You know how you always used to make fun of your mom for clipping coupons? Well, it definitely will come in handy now that you are trying to keep from going broke. If you’ve been eyeing a pair of cute boots, or really want a pack of Double-Stuffed Oreos, wait until there is a coupon or sale to correspond with it. You may hate waiting for it to come around, but your wallet will be in much better shape if you do.

6. Treat yourself.

This tip may seem out of place, but it is definitely important to treat yourself every now and then. If you are constantly on a budget, giving yourself a little reward will be a good incentive to keep on track. If I’ve done really well this month, I’ll treat myself to a little Starbucks, or buy a nice top. Treating yourself is the best way to pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

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No one wants to be broke by the end of the semester; it’s never fun and you feel like you’re missing out because everyone else is still going out and having a great time when you can barely scrounge up enough money to pay for dinner. Following these tips may ensure that you’re still having fun by the end of the semester and with money in your pocket to boot.

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