3 Tips for College Students to Save Money While Shopping

 

By: Susan Parker

Most college students live on a budget and in the process, learn financial prudence. If you’re a college student, you have to watch out for your expenses, otherwise you’ll get into debt.

Though it is neither fun nor easy, you become smarter at the end of it all.

Here are some tips to help you stretch that dollar, so you can save money while shopping.

Look for discounts

One of the best ways to save money is to find discounts and coupons for all the things you want to buy. Many companies today offer a range of discounts on their products to increase their sales and to build their customer base. You should just know where to look for these discounts.

These online discounts and coupons are easy to find if you understand how SEO works, as all companies incorporate the principles of SEO to help their customers find what they want. In general, below are some tips that help you find the right discounts and coupons.

• There are many sites dedicated to giving away coupons and discounts. Constantly scour these sites to find coupons for the things you want to buy.
• The retailer’s site may offer coupons when you buy certain goods or even free shipping if you order above a certain amount.
• Make the most of search engine optimization to find coupons. Type the name of the product you want to buy in the search bar of search engines like Google and Bing, and this will display a set of relevant results for you. Navigate through these results to find the coupons you want.
• Buy in bulk as this is where most discounts are offered.
• Many sites even offer students discounts if you register with your college email ID. So, make the most of this option.

Share your rent and utilities

Privacy is a luxury that you can’t afford while being a student. So, share your housing and utilities with a bunch of other students. If you’re particular, you can look for like-minded individuals, but don’t be too insistent on that. Just find roomies who will be willing to share the cost with you.

Stay on top of your budget

You have to understand that some things are a big no-no while you’re in college simply because you can’t afford it.

Avoid frivolous activities like eating out often as it is definitely more expensive than cooking your own food at home. Also, try drinking water instead of juices, when you’re thirsty and this can help you to save money as well.

Another area to save money is to look for amenities in your college. Most colleges offer free fitness classes, gyms and movie nights, so try to make the most of it instead of spending for the same outside.

Thus, life as a college student is tough because you have to live within a budget. But nevertheless, it is a great learning experience and helps to prepare you for a world beyond college.

 

Susan Parker is a writer and tech geek. She volunteers for local environmental conservation programs and writes stories online about things that inspire her. Email: SusanWritesWell@gmail.com