It is no surprise that college students have accumulated the most debt and have the hardest time coming out of it. But from my personal experiences, I have been able to shave a few dollars off of my semester expenses.
TRiO: An organization that thrives on helping students graduate and transfer to universities after they have become core complete in a university studies major. TRiO allows students to rent textbooks and even keep the older versions. The program provides workshops, a computer lab and will pay for books after a student has completed a semester in the program.
The library: The library has available textbooks that can be checked out to students. However, it’s for a limited time and it has to be used in the library. But there are copy machines available as well. The library also helped me with my commute costs.
Taking your lunch to school: It sounds elementary, but think of the money you’ll save. School lunches are around $5 and whenever I go to the bookstore I spend at least $3 on junk food. If home-brought lunches don’t sound all that great, it’s probably because you’re not packing the right things. Also keep in mind the places that give you free lunch like BSM on
Wednesdays or student run events that may have pizza and drinks.
Refill your ink cartridges: Do not throw those expensive little tubes of ink away. Go to your local Walgreens and ask for them to refill it. Last time I did it was under $10, but that is a lot less than paying $30-$40 for brand new ones.
Medicine anyone?: Things that keep you healthy are just as expensive as things that don’t. I stopped buying big bottles of pills and liquid supplements and instead went to a local clinic and asked for samples. They may not be name brand, but they still serve the same purpose.
Dump the gym member- ship: TJC has an amazing gym. It is spacious and has different types of equipment to condition all parts of your body.
Work Study: Working for the school can help pay for your tuition or maybe put a few extra dollars in your pocket. Jobs range from working in the bookstore to working in the cafeteria.
Recycle: Sell your used text- books. I know the bookstore will not take back any book that is loose-leaf (government, history, etc.) but another student will. Don’t know where to find some- one; RSC has a bulletin board where you can post ads for room- mates or anything else (within reason). You can also buy books at a lower cost if they come from another student.
Don’t be afraid to walk: I have seen students drive in circles around the RSC parking lot look- ing for a spot. That wastes gas and time. Just find somewhere else.
Live on campus: Campus housing may be a downgrade from living in your own apart-
ment, but it does save a lot of money. There are no rent checks, no need to shop for groceries, no Internet, phone or cable bills and you are in walking distance of everything on campus.
Those are just a few ways to help save a little bit of money. There are others such as carpool, take online classes to save a trip or two and try not to get any tickets. These are not ideas that will save you a million dollars down the road but they may help out a few people who just need to save a penny or two.
