As an experienced college student I can tell you have tried everything to make or save a buck or two. Here are a few of my top choices that have worked well for me.
1.) If you aren't sure what you want to do try community college. It is much cheaper and you can usually live with your parents, that saves TONS of money and it turns out your parents are cooler than you thought.
If you do know what you want to do look at the required classes and find out if you can do a year at community college. Usually the first two years of college are general education classes and can be taken anywhere. I took accounting, English, psyc, math, marketing and yoga at community college and saved myself thousands of dollars.
2.) Never buy a book new at the book store. There are hundreds of websites set up to sell you used books at a huge discount. E-mail your teachers a few weeks before class to find out the ISBN number of the book you need and go to places like amazon.com to find them. While you are at it ask the teacher if you can use an older edition, this is a HUGE savings. I once paid .25 for an economics book that was almost $100 new.
3.) Learn to say no. Sure it seems like staying home and eating ramen is social suicide when everyone else is out eating at Chilis or Applebees but you will have plenty of time for that, take a few days off in between to eat a little cheaper.
4.) Look around the internet. There are plenty of websites that will pay you to fill out surveys, complete free offers or give your opinion on things. I used treasure trooper and made over $400 and e-rewards and got tons of free stuff. It all adds up in the end.
5.) Use your resources. Share books with friends who you have class with. Carpool home with people who live in your area. Walk to class. There are plenty of ways to save a few bucks and when you do them all you can save thousands.
6.) Find the free stuff! College is FULL of free stuff. Many clubs will have free pizza if you go to a meeting. At my school they have free pancakes with the president. I'm sure if you really tried you could eat for free every meal.
7.) Find out what you are really paying for. In my tuition they include a fee for an extra rec center off campus and use of the health center. Anyone who doesn't use either of those can be refunded the fee. That is almost $50 that you can save and use for what you really need.
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Comments: 18
What is treasure trooper?
Miles- CC's are great! small classes, more dedicated teachers, and cheaper prices!
1.) If you aren't sure what you want to do try community college. It is much cheaper. SURE IS
2.) Never buy a book new at the book store. VERY GOOD ADVICE. If not online you can find used bookstores on campus or off.
3.) Learn to say no. YOU CAN WASTE TONS OF MONEY EATING OUT. This does not mean you can't eat out in college, but if you do, at least look for BUY 1 GET 1 FREE coupons.....lol
4.) Look around the internet. There are plenty of websites that will pay you to fill out surveys- WHAT ARE YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE SITES?
5.) Use your resources. GREAT TIPS HERE.
6.) Find the free stuff! College is FULL of free stuff. GREAT TIP HERE AS WELL.
7.) Find out what you are really paying for. ANOTHER GREAT TIP. Also check for fee waivers for certain things.
Then I use gather and netwinner for gift cards
http://jackpot.netwinner.com/?signupCode=Barbi311
I am still working on earning points from mypoints and I am now doing http://www.promosquad.com/join/?referer=Barbi311
They give you points for listening to songs and rating them and then you can use the points to buy cd's dvd's and a bunch of other stuff. I like the music a lot and I just keep it on inthe back ground while I do homework and other stuff online.
But sine I just went back to College after a ten year hiatus, I will pass on living with my folks:)
The businesses around here bend over backwards for the CalPoly SLO dollar, so I am never afraid to ask if there are any deals for students.
1. A site I play on and get paid for is http://fairytaletreasure.com/members/register.php?ref=Withoutwings So far I think it's great - and is less confusing to me than Treasure Trooper.
2. I go to a community college now - It's only about $2500 a year and that's with a full course load each semester.
3. I always by my books online at Amazon marketplace, eBay or half.com. I have saved tons and tons of money.
4. I NEVER buy anything except scantrons from the school bookstore. Everything is way marked up. I saved $60 on my graphing calculator by buying (the same exact model) at Target. I always go online and comparison shop for these items.
5. Buy your school supplies early! After school starts many places like Walmart and Target put all of their school supplies up to 75% off. So it's a good idea to stop up for next year!
6. I agree with you about cooking at home, but you don't have to eat Ramen! Fresh vegies purchased for 1 are really inexpensive. You can also buy noodles for less than a $1 and Hunts Tomato Sauce (also $1) and spice it up. It will last you several meals. I got a steamer at Target for $20 and I do steamed rice and fresh vegies all the time.
7. My school has free food events all the time. At least 1 time a week and all you need is student ID. Sometimes it's just pizza but other times it's a full out meal.
8. Sick of your clothes? Consider taking them to a consignment or resell shop like Platos closet so you can make some extra money for new ones. Consider buying your new ones at the same place. It really does save a lot of money.
9. In my area students get internet/cable service at a HUGE discount.
10. Also in my area, students can go to the Orchestra for $10 and bring a guest for the same price. I have been FRONT ROW for some of these events. You have to show up early the performance night - but it's worth it. This is great for classes in the Humanities requirements when they expect you to attend cultural events.