By Jennifer K. Bauer jkbauer@inland360.com
Everyone wants to save money but if you’re a college student you probably have more reason than others to guard your wallet like Gollum guards my precious. Here are 17 tips for stretching those greenbacks as far as you can.
1. Always carry your student ID and ask if there’s a student discount.
2. Don’t buy or rent movies and books when you can check them out at the local library for free.
3. Walk or ride a bike instead of drive.
4. If you must drive, find the lowest gas prices in your city or zip code at gasbuddy.com and fill up when it’s cheap, not when it’s convenient.
5. Before buying new, consider buying used. Visit thrift stores or yard sales. If you need something specific put out a request to friends and family. You never know who may be upgrading.
6. Hit the local dollar store.
7. Read local newspapers to find free things to do and activities that offer free refreshments.
8. Stop buying coffee and make your own, or switch to tea. Hot water is often free.
9. Eat out less and cook at home.
10. Cooking at home, eat eggs or beans instead of meat. If you’re eating beans, buy them dry and soak them overnight before cooking. Canned beans cost way more.
11. Going out on the town? A flask will prevent a hefty bar tab.
12. Don’t wash your clothes until they really need washing, as in they are walking to the washing machine themselves.
13. Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Some stores offer discounts when you do.
14. If you forgot to take your own bag shopping, use the plastic sacks you got as garbage bags.
15. Dumpster dive. If you’re brave enough it will be quite the adventure. Find tips at freegan.info.
16. Get a job at a restaurant and you may be able to bring home leftovers to dine on.
17. When buying books for class, don’t buy new. While you may not have a choice, often used books are available online for a fraction of the bookstore cost.
