How to Save Money as a uni Student

Save money as a uni student in exciting and expensive life is very hard. You will quickly run out of cash if you do not manage your money carefully between housing, social activities, tuition, fees, textbooks, and other college expenses. Learning money-saving skills while you are in college will benefit you greatly in the future. These habits will teach you how to make smart spending decisions and manage your finances for a stronger personal and financial future. The below money-saving quote is best suitable for uni students.

“Never spend your money before you have it.”

Thomas Jefferson

I have some real-life quick and easy money-saving hacks, like buying used or rental textbooks on less spending, setting a budget for social activities, finding a part-time job to earn, cooking meals myself to reduce food costs, and making the most of graduate student discounts to save on purchases. You can use all these cost-effective ways to enjoy your academic life with joy and intellectual development. You know, even small changes can lead to big savings over time.

Effective and Unique Ways to Save Money as a Student

The following creative and unique ways will help you to save money as a uni student.

Enjoy Free or Low-Cost Activities on Campus or Around

Activities will help you to stay relaxed and calm, but it is not necessary to reduce your bank balance for that. There are many ways to enjoy in-campus activities cost-effectively.

• You can take part in trivia nights, open mics, or movie nights hosted by your university for free. Keep checking your student apps or bulletin boards for such events.
• Visit local natural spots with uni friends, like nearby beaches, parks, lakes, or any other picnicking or hiking spot on a lower budget.
• You can explore free campus resources like theatre performances, fitness or yoga classes, and art galleries for relaxation.
• You can visit local cultural events in your area, like local fairs or street festivals, at low cost or free.
• Organizing game nights or potluck dinners is also a cost-effective way to spend free time with roommates or friends.
• You can use your phone camera to capture interesting parts of a college campus. This is a fun activity for exploring the college campus.
• You can explore interesting parts of the college campus or nearby places to capture photos and videos using your phone camera. You can save your college life memories for the future.

Barter or Swap Instead of Buy

You can use bartering and swapping exchange systems to swap your talent and skills, textbooks, electronics, clothing, or even your time.

• You can ask your classmate to help you with writing or editing your essay in exchange for assisting them with their science assignment.
• You can offer laundry services to your roommate in exchange for preparing your meals for a week.
• Barter unused clothes, electronics, or accessories with your friends for demanding kitchenware, textbooks, or notes that you need for a short period.
• Help your friend move into a new apartment in exchange for helping you with your project research.
• Use online bartering and swapping services like Simbi, Facebook Groups, and Bunz to swap skills, goods, and services, and exchange items in your local area.

You can read How I Save Up for a Car on a Low Income.

Use a Library Card to Access Free Study Materials and Useful Resources

Your library card can provide access to many useful resources beyond just books if they have subscriptions for the below-given services.

• Many universities provide free access to high-quality, expensive software like Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, and AutoCAD using library cards. You can use this software for designing, video editing, and other specialized tasks.
• Many libraries share their digital subscriptions with their students. You can access free audiobooks or digital books from Libby, OverDrive, or Hoopla online. Also, you can access free online courses from platforms like Skillshare and Lynda through your library card.
• Using your library card, you can access research papers, academic journals, and expensive databases like ProQuest, JSTOR, and ScienceDirect for free if your college has access to these resources.
• You can access available DVDs and Blu-rays for free documentaries and movies.
• Libraries provide free access to local and national newspapers like the New York Times and The Washington Post.
• Also, you can access free creative tools like 3D printers or musical instruments from libraries.

Sign up for beta testing and product testing to save and earn extra cash

You can earn and save pocket money by signing up for beta and product testing.

Beta Testing

It is a process where companies release pre-launch versions to test them in real-world scenarios to verify they work properly and meet the needs.

You can sign up for beta testing to save money and even earn by testing pre-launch versions of products like apps, software, gadgets, and more. Companies will compensate you for your valuable feedback and useful suggestions, often with gift cards, free products, or even cash payments.

Product Testing

Many companies offer free products like household items, electronics, and beauty products to real-world users to gather honest feedback on their usability, effectiveness, and design. You can sign up for product testing to get the product for free and get the compensation.

Save Money by Doing DIY Projects

You can try the below DIY projects to learn and explore new creative ideas on a low budget.

• Create study tables, bookshelves, or seating using old wood pallets. Sometimes you will get it at free or low cost from stores or warehouses.
• You can buy old furniture from thrift stores and give it new life with a creative makeover and a fresh coat of paint.
• You can create functional items like custom desk organizers using mason jars, cardboard boxes, or tin cans.
• You can make homemade candles using a wick, some old wax, and your favorite essential oils, or purchase a candle-making kit online.
• You can make natural soap using coconut oil, shea butter, and dried flowers to gift a friend or for self-use.
• You can purchase a plain ceramic mug and apply ceramic paint, drawings, quotes, or names.

Buy Used or Rental Textbooks

Instead of buying new, expensive textbooks, you can opt to buy cheaper used textbooks or rent textbooks.

• Buying a used textbook is cost-effective compared to purchasing a new one. You can buy used textbooks online from sites like Amazon, eBay, or BookFinder. Once you are done with the book, you can also resell it on the same platforms to regain some of the cost.
• Renting textbooks is a more cost-effective option than buying them, especially if you only need the book for a short period. Also, you do not need to worry about reselling.

Cook Meals Yourself to Lower Spending on Food

You should consider cooking meals on your own to stay healthier and develop important life skills instead of using food delivery services or dining out. Cooking is a fun and satisfying activity, and it is also a more affordable option.

As a newbie, you can start with easy and simple recipes like pasta, stir-fries, or soup. Later, you can learn and try different recipes once you get the hang of it. You can purchase discounted bulk groceries and prepare meals for a week to reduce wastage and leftovers.

Find a Part-Time Job to Earn

You can learn valuable skills, gain work experience, and earn money if you find and balance a part-time job with school.

• You can look for on-campus jobs like library assistant, resident assistant, dining hall worker, research assistant, or event staff.
• Also, you can find off-campus part-time jobs like food service, tutoring, freelance work, or delivery drivers.
• Remote jobs like virtual assistant, online tutoring, content creation, and social media management are good alternatives.

Use Student Discounts on Purchases and Subscriptions

You can avail yourself of special student discounts on purchasing clothes, food, tech and software, and entertainment.

• Tech and software:
  • You can avail yourself of a percentage off on laptops, tablets, and accessories from the Apple Education Store.
  • Microsoft offers a discount on Office 365 for Education.
  • You can use Adobe Creative Cloud at a reduced price as a student. You can access Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro using it.
  • Spotify Premium and Student Prime are also available at discounted prices for students.
• Fashion and Retail:
  • Brands like ASOS, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Nike, and Madewell have student discount programs as well through UNiDAYS verification.
  • You can search for other brand discounts as well.
• Discounts on Food and Drink:
  • You can avail yourself of food and drink discounts at brands like Chipotle, Starbucks, Domino’s Pizza, Subway, and Taco Bell.
• Discount on Travel and Transportation:
  • You can avail yourself of discounts on train tickets at Amtrak, rides at Uber, bus tickets at Greyhound, and flights at StudentUniverse.
• Subscription:
  • You can avail yourself of a discounted Hulu subscription, Canva Pro, and many more.

Lease or Rent Out Your Items

You can earn cash by leasing any of the below-given belongings if you are not using them very frequently.

• Car, bike, or scooter.
• Room or Space.
• Textbooks.
• Camera or Photography Gear.
• Clothing or Accessories
• Household Items or Appliances
• Gaming Equipment
• Musical Instruments
• Fitness Equipment

Share Accommodation with Roommates to Save

If you are living alone, you can share accommodations with roommates to reduce rent and utility bills. Also, it will help you to learn how to live in a shared space and make lifelong friendships.

Benefits of sharing accommodation as a university student

• Reduced rent cost: Rental costs will be divided.
• Shared utility costs: The cost of utility bills will be divided.
• Better housing access: Can access spacious houses on divided rent.
• Affordable furniture and household items: Buying furniture will be cost-effective.
• Cost-effective grocery: The cost of groceries will be reduced as you can buy them in bulk.
• Better emotional and social support: Lonely life is boring. You can live in a supportive environment with roommates.
• Shared responsibilities: Housing tasks will be divided among roommates.

Avoid Impulse Buying

You should avoid unnecessary purchases to save money as a student. Create your monthly budget for essential items and do not spend money on nonessential items like clothes, gadgets, and electronics. Use only cash and do not keep cards with you while going shopping.

Key Takeaways

Saving money as a uni student is a challenging task, but you can do it if you put in a little bit of extra effort. Always prioritize needs over wants and cut expenses. Develop saving habits and start saving small, like low-cost activities, swapping, making the most of the use of library cards, and DIY projects. Its impact will be huge on your personal and financial life.

Frequently Asked Questions