College is a time when money is always a premium. Between hundred-dollar textbooks and rising tuition, plus the occasional pizza, college students across America can always use more cash and a bigger bank account. So, here's a few good ways to save some money while trying to save your grades.
Share with Your Friends
Never underestimate the value of splitting costs. When a textbook costs over a hundred dollars, it can be of great benefit to your wallet and your classmates' to split the cost of books and other school supplies. Even small things like boxes of printer paper can add up quite quickly to amounts that will make you cringe. Food, books, pens and pencils, anything you ever need to buy, there will always be someone out there willing to split the cost with you. Use Freeware
If you have a computer, whether college-given or your own personal computer, you know how fast software can add up. All over the Internet, you can find software, from shareware to freeware, that is just as effective as the stuff that costs sixty-plus dollars a year. Instead of using the expensive internet security, try finding a free version of antivirus or anti-spyware program. Instead of paying for Napster or iTunes, try using Pandora Internet Radio for music. Your computer can be just as safe and effective using free software as it is using software that costs incredible amounts of money. Buy in Bulk
In college, food tends to be present in every dorm room. Generally, it consists of popcorn, soda, Pop-Tarts, chips, and other snacks. These foods can be expensive, but the important thing to remember is that it's very hard for most of these items to spoil or go bad. Often times, taking the extra time to find a Wal-Mart or other bulk store to pick up larger amounts of food; these bulk packs tend to be less expensive than the smaller stashes of food. Plus, if you buy larger amounts of food, you might be able to find people to even help split the costs. Don't Drive
Everyone knows gas prices are outrageous. Even if you only drive once or twice a week, you can eat up gas and money in a hurry. Instead of driving, you can find that almost all colleges have stores within range of a bicycle. Using a bike will save money by not draining gas, plus you'll get exercise while biking to various stores or other places around your campus. Also, biking can make a great date… Duct Tape
If there's only one thing you take away from this article, let it be this: Never, never, never underestimate the value of good quality duct tape. It has practically infinite uses; you can fix shelves, repair textbooks, mount posters on walls, even perform minor repairs on cars or bikes. Plus, with enough tape, you can even build shelves, cup holders, or practically anything you would ever need. Duct tape is a great money-saver for repairs and even as a replacement for expensive shelves. Don't Use Cable TV or Pay for Radio
Some colleges provide cable TV for their students; mine didn't. Instead of paying an extra $60 for a semester of cable, my roommates and I found that practically anything we could ever want to watch was available online. Please note I'm NOT advocating any sort of downloading here; sites like QuickSilverScreen and many more have links to completely legal movies and TV shows; watching these movies on your computer instead of paying money to buy cable or DVDs. Also, online radio sites can provide free access to radio instead of paying for a radio or stereo.
