🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.
1. Cook Simple Meals at Home Instead of Eating Out
You know that “just one takeout night” that somehow turns into four? Yeah, that’s where your grocery money disappears.
Cooking at home doesn’t have to mean living off ramen or spending hours chopping veggies.
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll save money and eat better than most of your friends.
Here’s how you make it work:
- Save $50–$100 a week by skipping just two takeout meals.
- Batch cook simple meals like pasta, tacos, or stir-fry that reheat perfectly.
- Use grocery apps for cashback and weekly deals on staples.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Choose one easy dinner you love. make extra portions and eat them through the week (bonus: no dishes every night).
Make It Easy: Consider grabbing a mini rice cooker. It’s cheap, compact, and perfect for dorm meals.
2. Skip Textbooks: Rent or Go Digital Instead
You’ll barely open half the textbooks you pay full price for. Let’s be honest.
Spending hundreds on books you use twice is like donating your cash to the campus bookstore.
Renting or going digital keeps your wallet full and your backpack lighter.
Here’s how you make it work:
- Rent or buy used books online for up to 90% off.
- Use free digital versions from your library or sites like OpenStax.
- Sell your old textbooks right after finals to recover cash fast.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Check your syllabus early and rent your books before classes start. Prices shoot up after week one.
Make It Easy: Consider a Kindle Paperwhite. It’s lightweight, distraction-free, and saves space on your desk.
3. Split Costs With Roommates
You’re already sharing a fridge. Why not share a few bills too?
Living with roommates can save hundreds each month if you actually communicate about expenses (and no, “Venmo me later” doesn’t count).
A few smart splits can stretch everyone’s budget and keep things drama-free.
Here’s how you make it work:
- Split streaming services instead of everyone paying for Netflix separately.
- Share cleaning supplies and groceries for bulk discounts.
- Rotate bills so each person handles one expense and gets reimbursed.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Create one shared spreadsheet for rent, Wi-Fi, and groceries. It keeps everything transparent and fair.
Make It Easy: Consider using a magnetic whiteboard in the kitchen for tracking shared costs and reminders.
4. Use Student Discounts Everywhere You Go
Your student ID is basically a golden ticket. You just forget to use it half the time.
From streaming subscriptions to travel, student discounts are everywhere if you bother to ask.
You’ll be shocked at how much those small discounts add up over a semester.
Here’s how you make it work:
- Flash your ID at clothing stores, gyms, and restaurants. Many don’t advertise discounts.
- Use student discount sites like UNiDAYS or Student Beans for verified deals.
- Stack discounts with cashback apps for double savings.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Before you buy anything online, check if there’s a student deal. Five minutes can save you real money.
Make It Easy: Consider getting a student ID badge holder that doubles as a wallet so you never forget it.
5. Buy Used Stuff Instead of New
New doesn’t always mean better. It usually just means pricier.
From furniture to clothes, used items can save you a small fortune and still look great.
Plus, thrifting has officially become cool again, so you can call it “vintage” instead of “cheap.” 🙂
Here’s how you make it work:
- Buy used furniture on Facebook Marketplace or local apps. People give away quality stuff for almost nothing.
- Shop secondhand clothing at thrift stores or online resale sites.
- Look for dorm essentials like lamps, rugs, and décor from graduating students.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set a weekly budget for used finds and stick to it. You’ll be amazed at how far $20 goes.
Make It Easy: Consider getting a foldable utility cart to help move your thrifted treasures around campus.
📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌
