"Many students seem to find saving money to be one of the hardest aspects of college. If you feel like you are struggling to make ends meet, do not worry, many others are in the same boat. There are many ways to reduce costs as a full-time student, you just have to do your research! Initial costs for many students are your required textbooks for the semester. These materials can add up fairly quickly. To combat these costs, students should first look for used textbooks. Reach out to a friend or someone that has already taken the course and ask to borrow or purchase their books at a reduced cost. If this option is not feasible, consider joining a local Facebook Group for students selling and buying textbooks. You can use these groups to advertise which specific books you are looking for! Another great way to save money is to utilize your student status. Many stores and restaurants offer discounts for full-time students. A great way to find what companies offer such discounts is to check out UNiDAYS, a student discount website!" - Gina
"Saving money and budgeting can be difficult while attending college, especially for those who are moving out of their parents' homes. Becoming more financially independent may seem stressful, but there are many ways to reduce your spending and save money. When purchasing textbooks or course materials, renting used textbooks or buying online versions of the material is usually much cheaper. This is an important option to consider if you are able to do so. Asides from academic materials, you are able to receive a student discount for many different purchases including Spotify Premium, Amazon Prime, Apple, and much more! Be on the lookout for any student discount offers to prevent yourself from paying full price. Many college students, who live on or near campus, will purchase meal plans allowing them to eat in the dining halls with prepaid accounts. If you are interested and do purchase a meal plan, I highly recommend using it to its full potential, and reduce your spending on eating out, as the costs can quickly pile up. When looking for entertainment, take into consideration any free events or activities taking place on campus. The recreation center and gym on campus is also free for many colleges, if you enjoy working out or simply spending time with others while being active. Remember you do not need to spend money to have fun! Lastly, remember to renew any scholarships or consider applying to new scholarships to help reduce your tuition bills." - Amal