Picture this: the semester has just begun and you realize that you have to pay for a whole bunch of stuff. Books, tuition, groceries and extra things you may want: the list can get pretty long while your wallet continues to get very empty. However, don’t fret! There are plenty of ways to spend your money wisely that will allow you to save more and ultimately be happier about your college experience!
One way students can save an abundance of money is to buy their own groceries and not eat out as much. This seems obvious, right? While some students rely on fast-food restaurants to get great-tasting food, eating at home can save you a great amount of money that you could spend elsewhere. Or, if you find yourself craving some takeout, there are a great number of places around Johnson City that give student discounts just by showing your student ID. Taco Bell, Super China Buffet, Pizza Inn, Salsaritas and IHop (on Tuesdays and Thursdays) are just some of the places which give students a discount. So, if you must go out to eat, choose one of the places that can make it a little cheaper for you and this way you won’t have to pay as much and still get the food you crave. Freshman Hilliary Laughlin said, “It’s really hard to save money in college, but I’ve noticed that eating in my dorm has given me a lot more extra money than when I eat out.”
Another thing that many students tend to do is stop at a nearby coffee shop to get their morning fix of caffeine before their dreaded 8:15s.
This is a quick way to make you alert and ready to learn in class, but it is also incredibly pricey. A cup of standard coffee at one of these places runs anywhere from $1.50 to $2, and if someone were to get coffee every weekday morning, like many students do, they’re looking at a bill of at least $30 a month just for coffee.
This seems ridiculous, but you don’t have to give up your addiction to the amazing drink, all you have to do is buy your own coffee and make it yourself in the morning and you will save over half of what you would’ve spent at a coffee shop for the exact same thing.
If you still find yourself low on cash after all of these tips, there are things you can do to earn a little bit of money without devoting a lot of time and energy to a job. Stores such as Mr. K’s will buy your used CDs, movies, books and video games that you don’t want anymore and give you money that you could use on anything.Similar stores such as Plato’s Closet and Planet Exchange will buy your old clothes that you don’t wear and give you either store credit to buy other things or just give you cash. Of course, there is always selling plasma at one of the many plasma donating locations around town if you’re up to it.
However, selling old clothes and books is definitely less painful and a lot more comfortable.
It’s not uncommon for money to be tight throughout your college years; it’s almost to be expected. However, you do not have to do without the things that you need. All you have to do is be smart and spend your money wisely.
Don’t buy unnecessary things when you can’t afford them, make your food at home, don’t go to Starbucks every day and try to sell old things that are just lying around taking up space.
If you follow these tips and just try to be a little more frugal, you will most certainly enjoy your college experience a lot more.

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