Tips to Save Money

Most young adults find themselves learning a lot about life when they go to college. It is often the first time they are on their own. They are going to have to learn to take care of their dorm or apartment and themselves. It is also a big financial shocker for college-bound students.

Even if they aren't going to have to pay for college (or at least until they have graduated), they are still going to be expected to pay for many of the things that they need. Studies are going to take up a lot of time, and many aren't able to work as much as they would like, so they have to learn to live on very little.

It doesn't have to be too bad. Here are some tips to save money while in college.

Look at all of your housing options. There are many options for students. Some are able to live at home, while others live in the dorms. Many students prefer to live off-campus, though this is often the most expensive way to go. If you do decide to do this, make sure that you find a roommate (or two), so you have someone to share the expenses with.

Look into being a resident advisor. If you prefer to live in the dorms, you should ask about becoming an R.A. Not only will this look good on your resume, it can help pay for some or all of your dormitory costs.

Watch your eating habits. If you have a meal plan at school, you should use it. Though you may not want to eat in the cafeteria, you are already paying for it, so you should eat there for most of your meals.

You should also save money by stocking up on your favorite foods and snacks. If you are constantly running to the closest convenience store, it can really add up quickly so you should try to keep the things that you eat most handy.

Buy used textbooks. As much money as college costs, you still have to buy your textbooks, and this can be very expensive. For this reason, you may want to borrow as many textbooks as you can. You can also buy used ones online at Amazon.com. You might be able to rent some of them from Chegg or Barnes & Noble.

Learn about credit early. Too many students get away from their parents and go crazy. They get a credit card, buy lots of things, and then struggle to make the minimum payments.

You don't want to do this. Learn to use your credit wisely now for a lifetime of financial freedom.

When you are on your own for the first time, it is important that you are careful with your finances. You should think carefully about all of your housing and food options. It is usually cheaper to live in the dorm (especially if you decide to become an R. A.) and eat in the cafeteria than it is to live off campus and eat out for every meal. That being said, you also should go to the grocery store and stock up on your favorites, so you aren't tempted to run to the convenience store or out to eat when you are hungry.

You should also buy used textbooks (or borrow them if you can). Textbooks can be very expensive, and it can really add up quickly. You also need to learn how to be financially stable now. If you start to rely on credit cards now, you are in for a long life filled with credit card bills and debt that you can't seem to get away from.