5 Money Saving Tricks for College Students

This article was written by a college student contributor to TCS.

The concept of going off to college and living in complete freedom is the most exciting step of adulthood. However, with newfound freedom comes expenses—a lot of expenses. I’ve always been very frugal with my money. Every expense should be justified and only completely necessary.

I wasn’t necessarily raised this way, but I became extremely cautious with my money once I started working and had to pay for most of my expenses. Now, I spend my money on rent, gas, and food Although I could ask my parents when I need to, I make every effort not to.

As a frugal college student, here are some ways I recommend to try and cut unnecessary expenses and save money in college:

Always use coupons!

Whether it is going to a movie or eating out, I always try to find online coupons that can reduce the cost of my purchases. Some of these sites include Groupon, StudentRate.com, or MySavings.com.

Eat for free on campus!

On campus, there are so many opportunities for free food, and most of the time, I don’t hesitate to take advantage of them. Doing so reduces my need to go out and buy food since I have no meal plan. I also learned how to cook, and I’m not living on Ramen noodles every day. I actually make decent omelets in the mornings (if I wake up early enough). Apps like Epicurious can also help you plan your meals better.

Use discount sites!

I also live in a house off campus which requires furniture, so I go on Craigslist or various garage sales nearby to buy used but in good quality furniture. Other discount sites for college students include TUN, UConnection, Also, I’m aware of a lot of places which offer student discounts, especially around my area. Most of the restaurants, fast food, and clothing boutiques give student discounts. A great site to consult for locations around your campus which might offer student discounts is AroundCampus.com. Keep in mind to ask around and always check if any student discounts are available before making any purchase.

Do things on your own!

The best way to save money is doing things on your own. I used to get my nails done often, but I learned to just do them on my own. I end up saving $30 a month this way. I also wash my own car instead of taking it to a car wash.

Find cheaper textbooks!

Purchasing college textbooks is the worst. The best way to go about is going to the online websites finding cheaper versions of the textbooks or finding the free pdf file. This way you are getting the information and still spending as less as possible. Also, ask about and use college Facebook groups to inquire about cheaper options or students who may be selling theirs at lower costs. Sites like CampusBooks.com or Chegg can help you shop for cheaper books,

All in all, college can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience—but you don’t have to spend so much money. Being cautious of your money and spending it in the right places can relieve you from a lot of stress, and it’ll be the best four years of your life.