College is expensive without a doubt, especially if you're paying out of state tuition like I did...
Here are a few tips to keep your budget on track...
When you hit the bar:
Leave your cards at home, bring a limited amount of cash with you. College students spend about $5.5 billion on alcohol a year, mostly beer. So when that third pitcher of beer disappears... you're bank account will be glad you're out of cash.
When you're hungry:
Skip the late night fast food, keep the affordable healthy snacks back at your place. Some of these snacks may include: yogurt, string cheese, PB & J supplies, oatmeal, and the classic romen noodles.
Shopping for books:
Before you hit the campus store, check local used book stores or online at places like halfpricedbooks.com. Chances are you'll be able to save at least a few bucks per book, and add up those savings.
Do you have old books? Sell 'em! Bring them to your campus store and inquire about the buy-back price, you may be better off selling the books online.
For the movie go-er:
Skip the theater with overly expensive popcorn and spendy tickets. Find the dollar or discount theater in your area. They usually play movies that have been out for a while at a lower price.
If you must see a new release, go to an earlier matinee. Sometimes you'll save half the price of a ticket!
And if you want to go real cheap, forget the movies and blockbuster. Check out your local library!
Home living expenses:
Pay your bills on time! Late fees, five or ten bucks, won't seem like much at the time but when you're late on more than a few the fees will add up.
Turn your heat or AC down during the day or when you're not home. (When I first did this I saved almost $30 on my bill - however the amount you save will depend on your heating/ cooling system and apartment size)
Buy used! You don't need a brand new couch or dining room table. Shopping around at thrift stores, craigslist.com, or garage sales will keep a little extra cash in your pocket.
Most importantly however, be smart about your money. If you think you're spending too much on something, you probably are. Do your research before a larger purchase and conserve what you can.
A friend of mine was up until 4 a.m. last semester cramming for an exam. Bright and early we drove to campus together as he sipped his coffee reciting facts he had read just hours before. Exhausted with dark eye circles his stress levels more than obvious.
Later that night I was getting dressed up for a party, friday night and we're in college... I'm going out. My buddy was supposed to pick me up at 10. The clock was nearing 10:30 when I called. He groggily answered the phone, "uhh... huloooo..."
I may sound like your mother but... study study study!
Cramming is no more beneficial to your social life than it is to your grades.
Be prepared for an exam. If you're stomach's grumbling or you're preforming the infamous almost-asleep-head-bob... you don't stand a chance.
Space out your studying, set an allocated time EVERY DAY to study. Even if there are no tests coming up, scan over the lectures... you'll find the material is easier if you look it over a few times before the hard core studying ensues.
Graduates covered under a parent's insurance plan or through a university commonly overlook their policy termination date. After all graduation is busy as it is with all the gowns, job searching, and the rushing to get a future in order.
Health insurance is a necessity. Graduates are stressed enough with student loans and a career search, don't let a medical emergency add to the stress. Additional debt and unmanageable bills are the last thing a recent grad needs.
But it's expensive, right?
Wrong. You can choose to buy a short term plan, sometimes called catastrophic, where the grad will be covered up to 12 months. These plans are affordable and cover large medical bills should an medical emergency occur.
By visiting websites that compare rates for you will save you stress, time, and monty. I found GradGuard was a great site for this. GradGuard compares plans from numerous insurance carriers finding the "best- fit" plan.
It's also important the graduate has a plan that fits him/ her situation. If there is only a small gap between graduation and a career, a short term plan up to 6 months may be best. However if after graduation the student does not have a job lined up, a short term up to 12 months plan would be recommended, or possibly a permanent insurance plan.
Save a grad some stress and sleep, make sure they're insured.
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Recent Comments
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Veronica said:
It seems those college days make everyone accident prone... I wore a boot and crutches for a spring break incident...... read more
on Hey Grads! -
Jenny said:
[this is good]Veronica! I have been trying to find health insurance for the past few months, but I can't seem to afford... read more
on Hey Grads! -
Idiotbox said:
Great advice Veronica..I'm way past the graduate stage but if I could turn back time, I would swap the boozy... read more
on Hey Grads!
on Exam cramming? Not a good idea.