1. Eat In
In a survey I conducted on QU students living off-campus, more than 80% stated they bought an typical of 3-5 meals per week at a restaurant or take-out; this alone averages to around $50/week. This is a large price to pay for the convenience of a prepared (and probably better tasting) meal. Consider cooking in more frequently. Resort to grocery shopping, you can make a lot more meals out of a lot less money. If you don’t have a lot of time, prepare a large dish (like lasagna or soup) that you can save and eat throughout the week. Our money is commonly, and redundantly, wasted on unnecessary food spending.
And when you do decide to eat out, scroll down and refer to “Good Eats Under 10”
2. Drinking…
I would tell you not to go out and drink, but this is targeted to a college audience. Still, there are definitely tips to keep in mind if you’re going out to a bar. Almost any college bar offers drink specials, so be aware and find the places that offer the best. Many bars and clubs even offer an open bar or penny drafts up until 11pm. Pre-game, but don’t be the person getting sick on a side walk before they even go into a bar. Have a few drinks before going out to save yourself the time and money of ordering at the bar (as long as you’re not driving).
*But please, whatever you do- don’t save money by stiffing your bartender (speaking as one), they’re trying to save money too!
I would tell you not to go out and drink, but this is targeted to a college audience. Still, there are definitely tips to keep in mind if you’re going out to a bar. Almost any college bar offers drink specials, so be aware and find the places that offer the best. Many bars and clubs even offer an open bar or penny drafts up until 11pm. Pre-game, but don’t be the person getting sick on a side walk before they even go into a bar. Have a few drinks before going out to save yourself the time and money of ordering at the bar (as long as you’re not driving).
*But please, whatever you do- don’t save money by stiffing your bartender (speaking as one), they’re trying to save money too!
3. Carpool
You must have a few friends who have classes the same time you do, work out a schedule and carpool to campus (you get to park in the carpool lot too). Any other chance you have, whether you go to a gym, groceries, or wherever else you make a commute, explore your gas/money saving options.
You must have a few friends who have classes the same time you do, work out a schedule and carpool to campus (you get to park in the carpool lot too). Any other chance you have, whether you go to a gym, groceries, or wherever else you make a commute, explore your gas/money saving options.
4. Don’t buy books at School stores!
Although book buying for this semester is already over, you can remember this for next (unless you’re graduating). Buying used, and even sometimes new books, online can easily save you 50% of the cost you see in the campus store. Also, sell your used books online and you can sell for more than QU offers to buy back your books. This goes for almost any college or university. Check out these sites to buy or sell, http://www.campusbooks.com/, http://www.phatcampus.com/, http://www.ecampus.com/
5. If you don’t have a job- get one.
No better way to get money in your savings account (legally) right? It’s hard without any type of profession to get a job that doesn’t require you to say “Can I start you out with something to drink?” but unfortunately the service industry is about all us college kids can offer to still earn a substantial amount of money and accommodate to a class schedule. Try it out, you could always look into part-time with outside interest. Also, if nothing else, Quinnipiac Polls are always looking for employees. I’ll admit- I worked there for a short period of time; $8.50 an hour to make phone calls isn’t the worst way to earn a buck. Only the English language is required to do the job. To find out some more on jobs in your area, look it up online. Here are a couple sites- www.monster.com/ and http://www.craigslist.org/
6. Get In Control…Budgeting
Consider what money you have coming in, or you have saved, and think about how much of it you are willing to spend between now and the end of the semester (for now). Do your math…divide it by 8, approximately the amount weeks left this semester. This way you have your freedom as to how you spend it, as long as you don’t break your limit.
7. Stop Pointless Shopping!!
This goes for almost anything. How many times do you walk into a store and walk out with more than you intended on buying. That makes it pretty clear you don’t need it. Whether its clothing, sporting equipment, groceries, household appliances, or anything else- decide ahead of time what you are going there to buy, and stick to it. Another tip for buying clothes for a specific event, an interview, a wedding, or some as ridiculous as Toads, raid a friend’s closet if it’s not something you will commonly wear again.
8. Quit Bad Habits
In particular, smoking. We’re constantly reminded how terrible it is for your health, but let’s not forget you’re paying to ruin your own lungs. Same goes for all you guys that repulsively “dip”; it will cost you a surgical procedure that removes the skin from your butt and replaces it into your deteriorated lip…pricey, and cute.
9. Credit Cards- Have them? Cut Them.
If you want something plastic to substitute cash, set up a checking account with you bank and use an ATM card. That way, you can only “charge” what you already have saved in your account. No interest rates, no worries.
10. Save pocket change, it adds up.
Keep it in a jar, piggy bank, whatever…just save it. At the end of the year turn it in for cash and you’ll have a surprising sum of money to treat yourself to something nice.
Tip- If it looks to be over $200 consider rolling it yourself to save the 9% Coinstar deducts.
Although book buying for this semester is already over, you can remember this for next (unless you’re graduating). Buying used, and even sometimes new books, online can easily save you 50% of the cost you see in the campus store. Also, sell your used books online and you can sell for more than QU offers to buy back your books. This goes for almost any college or university. Check out these sites to buy or sell, http://www.campusbooks.com/, http://www.phatcampus.com/, http://www.ecampus.com/
5. If you don’t have a job- get one.
No better way to get money in your savings account (legally) right? It’s hard without any type of profession to get a job that doesn’t require you to say “Can I start you out with something to drink?” but unfortunately the service industry is about all us college kids can offer to still earn a substantial amount of money and accommodate to a class schedule. Try it out, you could always look into part-time with outside interest. Also, if nothing else, Quinnipiac Polls are always looking for employees. I’ll admit- I worked there for a short period of time; $8.50 an hour to make phone calls isn’t the worst way to earn a buck. Only the English language is required to do the job. To find out some more on jobs in your area, look it up online. Here are a couple sites- www.monster.com/ and http://www.craigslist.org/
6. Get In Control…Budgeting
Consider what money you have coming in, or you have saved, and think about how much of it you are willing to spend between now and the end of the semester (for now). Do your math…divide it by 8, approximately the amount weeks left this semester. This way you have your freedom as to how you spend it, as long as you don’t break your limit.
7. Stop Pointless Shopping!!
This goes for almost anything. How many times do you walk into a store and walk out with more than you intended on buying. That makes it pretty clear you don’t need it. Whether its clothing, sporting equipment, groceries, household appliances, or anything else- decide ahead of time what you are going there to buy, and stick to it. Another tip for buying clothes for a specific event, an interview, a wedding, or some as ridiculous as Toads, raid a friend’s closet if it’s not something you will commonly wear again.
8. Quit Bad Habits
In particular, smoking. We’re constantly reminded how terrible it is for your health, but let’s not forget you’re paying to ruin your own lungs. Same goes for all you guys that repulsively “dip”; it will cost you a surgical procedure that removes the skin from your butt and replaces it into your deteriorated lip…pricey, and cute.
9. Credit Cards- Have them? Cut Them.
If you want something plastic to substitute cash, set up a checking account with you bank and use an ATM card. That way, you can only “charge” what you already have saved in your account. No interest rates, no worries.
10. Save pocket change, it adds up.
Keep it in a jar, piggy bank, whatever…just save it. At the end of the year turn it in for cash and you’ll have a surprising sum of money to treat yourself to something nice.
Tip- If it looks to be over $200 consider rolling it yourself to save the 9% Coinstar deducts.
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