Getting a college education is smart in today’s competitive world, but it can also be expensive. You may want to use some of the tips listed below to help you save money while you are acquiring the education you need to obtain a good job.
Credit Cards
If you have a credit card, use it wisely. Do not put purchases on it that you can pay in cash. When choosing a credit card, look for one that will offer you lower interest rates and will charge you no annual fee. Make it a habit to pay off your credit card balances immediately and in a timely fashion, if possible, so that you will not have to deal with interest rates or late fees.
Used Books
Every college student needs textbooks, and they can be costly. If you are able to find the books you require in a used format, it will save you money. You may also want to borrow books from upperclassmen who took the same courses you are currently taking. You can earn extra money by selling some of the books that you no longer require to other students who can use them.
Money Loans
If you are in need of a sudden influx of cash for certain expenses, there are money loans available that may be able to help you. Check out the fine print before agreeing to any type of loan to ensure that you will be able to pay it back with a minimum of hassle.
College Choices
Choosing which college you want to attend will make a big difference in your personal finance. Take your time in doing research on which college interest you and compare the costs of attendance. For example, if you are interested in nursing as a career, you can visit www.schoolofNursing.com to figure out which nursing schools are available and how much the education cost will be.
During my time in college, I was quite judicious with my money. I knew a senior who gave me his old books since we took most of the same classes so I saved a good bit of money on that. And not being a partygoer also helped me save a lot of money in college!
-Jean
Great tips, thanks for sharing, I recall that when I was at college I used to to cook for myself so that I could save money.
When I was in college, I got a card with low interest and cash back rewards. Unfortunately, there was no Amazon or online trading books yet, but there are senior students who were willing to lend or sell their old books. In lieu of money loans, I applied for scholarships and took part-time jobs so that I can have extra money for shopping, party, and trips to different parts of the country.
Great tips. Three of my biggest savers were probably renting textbooks, making my own food(helped with the figure too 🙂 ) and getting a basic prepaid Tracfone instead of the smartphones that were all the craze, but setting others back monthly. It cost me something like $15 and less monthly for my minutes, but I still had all the basics to cover my needs at the time. Some part time work helped cover the day to day living costs too.
My suggestions:
1. checkout community college and consider it before enrolling in a 4 year institution (it’s cheaper & you often have better teachers)
2. find a school that integrates a coop program; this will give you additional income, hands on experience, and provide a great way to network with potential employers
3. don’t stay on campus; find some roommates and stay off campus
During my college days, I used to get books in libraries and from the seniors. This helped me a lot in saving money.