While college is often considered one of the most fun experiences of a person's life, it's without a doubt one of the most expensive as well. But if there's one thing that college students are good at, it's being super creative when it comes to saving money in college.
As a part of our Couponing in College Scholarship Contest, we normally ask students to share the breadth of their wisdom when it comes to couponing as a college or university student. But this year, we decided to have some fun with it. So we asked the students entering the contest one question, and they had to answer it in 100 words or less:
And boy did we receive some amazing submissions! Before diving into them all, let's take a look at the winning tip from Alan Kwong, from Pennsylvania State University:
I love using Twitter! When it comes to subtle shout-outs, hashtags, and quirky stories; my friends and I joke how we're always #notsponsored. While I follow different brands and companies, sharing pictures and stories of me using their products and services go a long way: sometimes companies will like my tweets and even send me coupons and free merchandise!
Just by sharing great experiences on social media, businesses can take notice and even send more love back to their happy customers!
Alan will receive our $1,000 scholarship award and will be listed on Dealspotr’s Scholarship page in our winner’s circle. Congratulations Alan! See past winners and keep up to date on our latest scholarship here.
To save money in college, I found a job that includes catering often. Most people spend a huge chunk of their money on food, especially in college when on campus food is not nutritious or tasty.
I work for our men's basketball team, which orders meals often. Not only do I make money to save while I am at my job, but I do not have to pay for my meals. I save the leftovers that the team doesn't eat. By eating the meals that they give me as part of my job and taking home leftovers, my food budget has been almost cut in half.
I will continue this job throughout my college career, keeping my food costs down and continuing to make money.
- Chiara Armstrong, Loyola Marymount University*
Many young people feel ill-equipped to cook in their homes, apartments, or dorm rooms, but it’s not impossible! In fact, learning basic cooking skills will develop your skills, impress a date or family members, bulk up your wallet, and even keep you healthy.
Cooking food for yourself is a lot less expensive than buying prepared meals, especially if you use dry goods or buy in bulk! There are also resources aimed at people learning to cook, like Tasty, Tastemade, and Spoon University. They post many simple-to-follow videos and recipes to help us all adult a little better.
- Hannah Dreyer, Iowa State University
A good tip for saving some money in college is to grow some of your own food. If you do cook your own food in your dorm or apartment, a little way you can save money is to grow some of the ingredients you would need.
If your school has a seed library you are even able to get the seeds for free. Some plants such as strawberry corn also require little maintenance but deliver tasty food. Growing seasonal fruits as well as quick snacks is also a great way to save money.
- Justin Pinero, Stetson University
As a non-traditional student and mother of three, I understand the need to get the biggest bang for your buck. I do this by utilizing a list, but not just any list. I created a template that includes typical items we need on a regular basis.
This list goes up on our refrigerator weekly so we can circle or write down what we’ve run out of. This means I don’t spend money on items we don’t need. It also helps me be on the lookout for items on our list that are on sale or check out coupons.
- Tracie Welstead, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Turn grocery shopping into a game!
Rules:
1. Your shopping list must be prepared in advance-- no buying anything that isn't on the list.
2. Plan before you go! Use apps (Checkout51, Kroger, Meijer, Coupons), websites (Dealspotr, Coupons.com, brand-specific sites), and Sunday papers to find coupons for the items on your list.
3. Gather your friends and divide into teams with a set list of items.
4. Whoever can find all the items on their list first wins.
5. Watch your hard work pay-off at check-out!
- Alexandra Wormley, University of Michigan
Ramen. I boil so many packages of Ramen Noodles that I only need to glance at them to know when they've reached the perfect, al dente firmness. The Creamy Chicken seasoning falls golden onto the bland-looking noodles, mixing to create a golden color and soothing aroma that fills the air just as if my own mother was cooking at home.
While this seems like a joke... it really isn't. The typical college charges students over $4000 dollars for their meal plan and if that isn't the most outrageous thing I've heard since Donald Trump's election... then I don't know what is. That is about 7 and a half bucks per meal while I can sit in front of my TV shaking my head at the Russia Scandal and eat Ramen for a dollar.
All jokes aside though, food is the biggest money eater other than the ticket counter at Chuck E Cheeses. College students starve their piggy bank to indulge on Chick Fil A every morning, but the expedience is not worth the debt. Spending my money efficiently rather than conveniently is the best way to reduce the blow to my bank account when rent comes around.
- Alyssa Hooper, University of Texas at Dallas*
Ramen Noodles. That being my only source of food has saved a lot of money. Health risks are the only problem, but I lead a risky lifestyle anyway and all of my activities that I do physically help to lower those risks. Ramen noodles saved me $1,000's per semester, and I am glad to be able to use that money for other things, like buying my girlfriend food; ultimately sacrificing myself for her, and that's a gentleman.
- Braxton Hill, University of Oklahoma*
Textbooks are expensive, so why not get your money back? College requires the use of textbooks and often they have an online code that is wrapped outside the book. After buying the needed books, ask your professor if the class will use both resources. If they are only using one or the other, do not unwrap everything.
Grab your receipt and head back over to the school's bookstore. By saying the professor does not require this item they will give you a full refund for what it is worth. Doing this maximizes the benefit of buying from the school's bookstore!
- Christopher Smith, Stetson University
High school books = free. College books = $$$. As a solution, I’ve used directtextbook.com as my primary source for textbooks, especially access codes. A lot of professors claim you need to buy the book new because only they have the valid access codes. However, on this website all you need to do is search the book with “access code” at the end of it. Majority of the time I find what I need, at prices no college student could possibly refuse!
- Oscar Balvaneda, San Jose State University
Textbooks are a huge drain on a college budget, but during the course of my studies I’ve learned how to cut this line item down to almost zero. First, I use the library reserve. Not the e-Reserve; I use the in-person reserve--where they keep a copy of every textbook for every class--to snap photos of my homework assignments which I can then read on my phone without paying a cent.
For major-specific courses, I do buy the book, but I’m sure to shop around for the best deals and coupon codes before I press “Purchase”.
- Brynne Conroy, Clarion University
When looking for good ways to save money in college, an excellent place to start is with textbook purchases. Teachers require students to have certain books for their class regardless of the financial stress it puts on students. I found that a good way to lessen this burden is by purchasing the international editions of textbooks.
International editions of books are copies of textbooks that are sold online at a cheaper rate because other countries may not be able to afford the same cost of books that the U.S can. They’re available to everyone for a cheaper price
- Hannah Abdou, Roger Williams University
Need new clothes? Host a clothing swap with people in your dorm. Often times, we get tired of our clothes not because they're out of style, but because we've worn them so much. Invite people in your hall over to your dorm, and ask them to bring any clothes they have that they want to get rid off. Get your clothes ready and have fun creating a whole new wardrobe without spending a cent.
- Olivia Wootton, Loyola Marymount University
Everyone knows that thrift shopping saves money, but many people don’t know that several thrift stores have daily deals. That’s right—there are discounts that are discounts even in stores that are, by definition, full of discounts. Many thrift stores have daily deals based on the color of the item’s tag. When I thrift shopped in college, I looked for items with the tag color that was 50% or more off that day. When I needed items with a different color tag, I returned on the weekday that color tag was 50% or more off. That strategy saved me lots!
- Alani Mason-Callaway, American University
One unique way to save money during college is to create a Facebook page that will enable students that go to the same institution to purchase used books, calculators, laptops and other school materials.
Students will sell their used materials to gain profit and use it to purchase other things things they will need. On the page, students that sell the same item will compete for the lowest price possible to get their item sold. It's a cycle of used materials every after semester. The page could also be used to get advice from students.
- Christian Pascasio, Arizona Western College and University of Arizona
The single most effective method of savings while in school has been following the couponing tips of YouTuber Couponing with Toni. She always has great deals and makes sure to point out deals that extremely good for college students.
Following her deals I’ve found a local couponing subscription service at a very reasonable rate.
Receiving the coupons allows me to get things that I need all year long very inexpensively or even free.
I truly recommend her videos to anyone looking to save money.
- Shavonda Gooden, West Coast University*
We are all familiar with Instagram, where you can post and view photos and videos from friends and public. But, many do not know that you can also use this app to save money and find the best deals on almost anything. How it works is by first opening Instagram then going to the "search" section, click the "tags" tab and search the following: #couponcommunity.
Here you will see many posts of deals that include where to get free food, which store has the best food/clothes deals (look for posts with the word "FREE"). I often get free toothpaste, shampoo, etc by looking at the deals. You can find from a cheap printer deal to a free meal at a certain restaurant. The trick is to check daily this hashtag since there are new deals every day. It is awesome!
- Yadira Reyes, California Baptist University*
In a nation where nearly everyone owns a smart phone, savings apps are abundant. From Ibotta to the McDonald's app, I have been able to save lots of money. Most grocery stores have apps where they upload their sales catalogs and have coupons that I can clip.
Fast food chains now have apps, such as the aforementioned McDonald's, where you can now often get any sandwich for $1. Everything is right there in the palm of my hand, so I don't need to worry about forgetting my coupons at home. It makes saving simple and convenient and time efficient.
- Anna-Sarah Baxleyova, Texas Tech University
One of the most useful strategies I’ve used to maximize my money is taking advantage of companies that offer student discounts. The free app, UNiDAYS, has exclusive offers to top online retailers. Students can save from over 300 brands. Members can also gain rewards by inviting friends; the more you invite, the more you earn. They also offer boosted discounts, giveaways, and tips and advice through their blog. This app allows you to make purchases without having to stress about counting your pennies!
- Lily Muelrath, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Quapital has helped me save money without making me feel deprived. The app helped me set specific goals, and then set "saving rules" that helped turn saving for college into a game. My favorite is the "round up rule" which evaluates each purchase I make, and rounds up the expense to the next dollar to set aside for savings.
For example, if I buy coffee for $3.16, Quapital rounds the purchase up to $4.00, and $0.84 goes into my college savings account. This month, I've saved $95.00 just by using the "round up rule". You can set other rules such as "Set it and forget it rule" which automatically withdraws money from your checking into the savings account. Quapital has helped me save for college painlessly.
- Susan Hutton, Colorado Film School
One of the ways I try to save money in college is through an app on my smartphone called Pocket Points. This app not only helps me save money, but it ensures I am not on my phone in class. Pocket Points requires you to lock your phone while in class, and doing so results in an accumulation of “points”/discounts that can be put toward purchases at local restaurants, shops, boutiques, and more. This app helps students focus in class with the incentive of saving money!
- Molly Sullivan, Rockhurst University
Some stores, including some Salvation Army thrift stores, use a rewards app called Flok. Whenever you shop there, you just ask the cashier to see their QR code to scan and mark that you went to this store. Once you get a certain amount of check-ins you can get coupons or other money off your total. They also sometimes have discounts for no particular reason so check back often and maybe you’ll find a free 15% off!
- Haley Jean, Simmons College
I use mobile alerts on my phone, EVERYWHERE! I will get a text alert if there is a business in the area that if offering a discounted product I may be interested in. This is a great way to try different things at a discounted price!
- Brady Gassman, UW LaCrosse
Balling On a Budget: A concept of optimizing your financial needs through a college network.
In a social aspect, college students understand the value of eating out with friends, but want to keep the costs low. My friends and I created a social network in the “Group.me” application to notify when deals are going around for places to eat in our general area. Through economies of scale, we managed to lower our costs while increasing out time to hang out with friends. This could also be applied to other activities and events with a goal to optimize time and money.
- Matthew Guzman, San Jose State University
I’m a physical couponer all the way, and my best advice is to buy a three-ring photo album with the clear sleeves you slip the photos into. Make sections by adding tabs to the sides of the pages to organize by the type of item your coupon will get or put in dividers to separate by the months that your coupons expire. Slide your coupons into the sleeves so you can easily view and find them. Organized and convenient. Just don’t forget it when you go to the store.
- Morgan Young, Greenfield Community College
My tip for saving money while in college is signing up for as many email newsletters as possible! Sometimes, you will get a discount/coupon code right when you sign up, and there are even better deals down the line. This helps me save money on things like food, clothes, perfume, makeup, and so much more! It is also good to sign up for newsletters, so you know when a sale is COMING, allowing you to save some cash and get even more bang for your buck.
- Meg Noonan, University of Arizona
As you scroll down any social media feed, you will find memes of depictions of a life of a typical college student: limited money supply. In reality, that comical post on Instagram has some truth to it. Over the years, I have found several things that allowed me to save money!
With your student email, you can receive a slight discount on select laptops and Microsoft products such as the Office 365 University. At Best Buy, you can sign up for student discounts and receive promo codes. Spotify offers student discounts which allow you to only pay $4.99 a month!
- Jaqueline Chavez Sandoval, Aims Community College
As a student entering college, the "broke college student" identity is not the identity that I want to be labeled as. In order to prevent this identity from engulfing my existence, I have a very useful way to save money: DIY everything.
For example, DIY laundry detergent costs up to $10 to make and lasts considerably longer than store bought detergent which can cost up to $6 per container. Also, DIY soap is considerably cheaper than store bought soap. Making necessary items instead of buying brand name items can help save hundreds of dollars a semester, and you can have fun while making it!
- Lauren Walton, Stetson University
The most unique strategy that I use to save tons of money while I am in college is to make all of my own hygiene products. There are great recipes online especially on Pinterest for soaps, deodorants, and even facials. A lot of the items used can be found in your cabinet or at the local dollar store for cheap. You can make these items in bulk and sell them to other college students to bring in a little extra income of your own. So not only are you saving money but you are making money.
- Alexis Costello, Georgia Military College
My go-to tip for saving money in college doesn’t require downloading apps or meticulously searching for coupons prior to shopping. While I do use both of these strategies, my favorite way to save money is by doing just that- saving money.
Each time I get a $5 bill throughout the year, I stash it in a safe place and don’t touch it until the end of the year. Last year, I saved almost $400 using this strategy. This year, I am already up to $100. It doesn’t seem like a lot at the time, but the cash quickly adds up.
- Kristi Ebbers, Illinois State University
As a college student, I reassure myself by saying, “This is only for a season, someday I’ll be wealthy.” I can hope, right? In the meantime, I stretch my pennies. I find that earning cash back on credit goes a long way.
Discover has an incredible offer for students which includes one percent cash back on all purchases and five percent on things such as gas, wholesale clubs, grocery stores, and amazon.
Discover will match all cash back earned in your first year and award a twenty-dollar credit for a 3.0 or higher GPA. Meanwhile, a student is building their credit score.
- Christina Boxx, Avila University*
If you have a credit card debt with high interest rates and need more time to pay down your debt without having to worry about incurring more interest, consider opening a new credit card with 0% balance transfer.
While your debt will still be the same after the balance transfer, you will be able to save on interest payments for a limited amount of time which varies for each credit card. However, remember that there is usually a fee associated with the process calculated based on the balance transferred which sometimes can be waived with negotiation.
- Jessica Keshishian, San Jose State University
My biggest money-saving strategy was obtaining a part-time job. You may think that getting a job will only net you straight income, but this is not always so! Employers may offer employee discounts on in-store items for simply working there.
I work at a retail store in the mall and they offer employees a whopping 40% off all merchandise (sale priced or otherwise). I can work and take mental note of the best deals, then purchase the items at a significant discount. While you need to be careful not to spend your entire paycheck, the savings can really stack up.
- Breann Longmire, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charts have always helped me achieved everything from saving money to accomplishing my personal and academic goals. Below is an actual chart I have been using this Spring semester to be conscious about where my money is going and coming from, while also keeping a healthy balance with friends and family! It's called the Reward Chart. The reason why this is so effective is because instead of treating yourself whenever you feel like it, you will treat yourself only at specific times, which has saved me hundreds of dollars! Check it out here...
- Alannah McDermott, Evergreen Valley College*
One of the best ways to save money in college is to get a frugal roommate. He or she will inspire you to start saving money. Disapproving glances, sighs, and frowns will warn you against wasting money. Having a roommate who sees the value in saving money will teach you how to get discounts everywhere you shop.
For example, my roommate from sophomore year taught me how to abandon my online shopping cart in order to receive discounts. Now, whenever I inch towards the “check out” button, I notice her watching me from the corner of her eye.
- Tallie Spencer, Loyola Marymount University*
In college, the most creative way I saved money was eliminating my vehicle. This has helped me save money on expenses such as gas money, insurance, and car payments.
So how did I get around without my car? I used public transportation such as the light rail, and a bus to get somewhere that was out of walking distance. When I need to commute to a place that is within reach I ride my bicycle, go for a run, or simply walk. Cardiovascular activities strengthen memory and thinking skills, which helped me with my studies making this a win-win situation!
- Cody Smargiassi, Arizona State University
The greatest way I have found to save up money in college is to have a swear jar. Every time I swear, either out loud or in my head, I place a dollar in the jar. Some days I put upwards of $30 in the jar! I save this money until my course fees are due, or textbooks need to be bought. Because I think I have less money than I do, it has taught me to budget my money better, as well as conserve what I do have.
- Elizabeth Hudson, Brigham Young University Independent Study*
"I'm living that Broke College Student life", is a common saying among college students. As a "broke college student" I have a student ID that gives me 10%-20% off at certain local stores and restaurants, and a campus full of resources and activities offering free food, school supplies, clothing or coupons at various times throughout the year.
Not only does this get me involved in campus activities, but it also saves me money on everyday expenses so I can use the funds from my two (yes two) jobs I’m working while going to graduate school to pay my own way!
- Delaney Lackey, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Recycling is an easy way to make some quick cash and save the planet.While living in the dorms and walking to class I constantly see empty plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and glass bottles left behind by students, I simply just pick them up and take them to my local recycling bin.
My suitemates even come and knock on my dorm door and give me their empty bottles and cans. With the money I make I'm able to save for textbooks and supplies. It’s an easy way to save money and make a difference within your school and environment.
- Daisy Pena, California State University Long Beach
As a student you develop skills to help you survive the financial strain that comes with being on your own. The cheapest thing that saved me the most money was waiting for move-out day in the dorms.
Many students wait until the last day to move out and just do not want to deal with the process of packing. Many times students will leave stuff and tell people to take what they want. During move-out day, I have collected a television, a fan, and textbooks. I have saved a lot of money by waiting patiently for move out day.
- Samantha Ortiz, California Baptist University
There is nothing that appeals to college students more than "free money" or "free food". Taking surveys online about movies or recent food items allows students to earn points that earns them gift cards to famous food places like Starbucks or Chick-fil-a. The best thing about these surveys is that they take maximum 10 minutes and in turn you can get a free venti caramel frapuccino! Even though Freshman 15 might become more prominent, it does not hurt to treat yourself every now and then!
- Nabeela Siddeeque, University of Houston
Keep up to date on the next scholarship contest here: https://dealspotr.com/scholarship-giveaway.
