Newswise — Soon-to-be and current college students have been fed the ramen jokes ad nauseum. But since when did living on a college student budget translate to surviving solely on bricks of dried noodles? There are plenty of ways to cut costs when you’re in school, and Temple University experts from Student Financial Services and the Bursar's Office compiled 15 tricks of the trade that don’t include chicken seasoning packets.
1. Use the right ATM.Those $2.50 fees at another bank’s ATM can add up pretty quickly (not to mention the fact that you’re likely also being charged by your bank, too). If your bank’s machine isn’t in sight, try stopping at a store to buy something—if even just a pack of gum—to get cash back.
2. Make coffee instead of buying it.Ditch the $5 lattes. The coffee maker is your friend.
3. Rent textbooks.If you can, rent your textbooks and simply return ’em when you’re done. Alternatively, look for e-books, which are usually up to half the cost of paper textbooks. The downside? You can’t sell back e-books.
4. Bring your own.We’re talking to you, 21+ students. Bring your own bottle of wine to a BYOB eatery and your bill will suddenly become much more palatable.
5. Dine at the right time.Whether it's lunch specials or online deals, do some research to dine at the most affordable times.
6. Bike!It’s healthy for you, the environment and your piggy bank.
7. Go to consignment shops.You’ll score cooler finds than at any mall and at a much friendlier price.
8. Sign up for store savings cards and rewards programs.You don’t have to sign your life away to get a store savings card. You can get better deals and save significant money, especially on your weekly trips to the grocery store.
9. Make a budget.Figure out your income and your expenses, make a budget and stick to it.
10. Flash that student ID.Student discounts abound. Keep an eye out for savings at movie theaters, restaurants and shops. Don’t see one? Ask.
11. Get roommates.You’ll almost always pay less if you're sharing space with another human being.
12. Pay student loan interest while in school to limit interest capitalization.It's not a bad way to use your work study money.
13. Don’t go overboard with credit cards.A credit card can help build up your credit, or it can do exactly the opposite. Choose the former.
14. Compare banks and credit unions.Credit unions are like banks and sometimes, our experts say, they can offer better banking deals for students. Compare your options.
15. Graduate on time.It's key to limiting the cost of your education. At Temple, we encourage students to Fly in 4.
For more information, see Temple's ongoing series explaining student financial matters.
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