Money is often a sore subject in life. We all have to look after ourselves financially in order to be okay.
A lot of the time, being broke in college is optional.
This kind of education is expensive, but you don’t have to live on junk food while avoiding social situations.
It’s not about penny-pinching, it’s about thinking differently.
There are plenty of unconventional hacks that are often overlooked.
Each little trick can make college surprisingly affordable while you have fun.
How you live your life can play a huge part in this.
If you want to create boring spreadsheets, you can, but it’s also wise to consider how you live.
From the things you say yes to to the way you collaborate with those around you, certain tactics can help you take control.
This is all without sacrificing memorable moments and enjoyment.
If you can stay smart and add a bit of creativity, you can master money and be successful in the long term.
Some of these hacks may also double as great gifts for college students, which is an added bonus.
With a little creative thinking, you might be able to access all kinds of freedom later on.
Here are a few unique hacks if you are curious:
1. Open The Dorm Up To Cooperation
Life becomes a lot easier when you work together with those around you.
Sure, there will be times when you wish for a little privacy and isolation, but cooperating can be extremely useful regarding your money during these times.
It makes sense as it’s better than everyone on the floor owning the same gadgets and supplies.
One person could bring something different in order to keep a solid system going.
Costs are lowered for everyone and clutter is reduced.
2. Textbook Swap Chains
Textbooks don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket.
If you can organize a swap system using a discord group, for instance, things would be a lot more convenient.
You could even include summaries and study guides in these.
Everybody wins as most people would be happy to give instead of selling.
3. Turn Study Notes Into Money
If you have plenty of significant notes piling up, you could turn them into something useful for others.
There will be lots of other students who aren’t as versed as you - and who haven’t been as productive.
Platforms such as StudySoup can give you a place to sell these notes.
You’ve already done plenty of work, so why not make a few dollars from it?
You could even make it look prettier by polishing it and adding diagrams/summaries/etc.
4. A Shared Streaming Hub
Streaming fatigue is a real thing people deal with psychologically. It’s also expensive.
It’s a good idea to build a team of people who can split the costs of streaming services.
For example, one person can pay for Netflix, another for Spotify, and another for Apple TV.
It’s a great way to get access to all of the entertainment you desire without the bloated price tag or the frustration of carrying all the subscriptions.
It also stops you from being impulsive with certain add-ons because you have people alongside you to keep you accountable.
5. Monetize Your Odd Talents
Whether you believe it or not, there will be plenty of things you are pretty good at.
There’s always a way to get some money from these talents, too.
There are too many people around not to want a piece of what you can offer.
Even the strangest things can get people to part with their money, so don’t put yourself down too much.
6. Host Social Nights That Cost Next To Nothing
Of course, it’s nice to think about the more luxurious trips and expensive evenings, but that doesn’t always mean a successful time.
Students have a knack for creating social nights that cost very little.
You don’t have to splash the cash on people and things that will ultimately feel like a waste of money.
7. Boundaries And Rules Around Impulse Buys
Impulse spending kills the budget of many students all over the world.
Whenever you want to buy something that isn’t essential, add it to a list and wait 48 hours.
After that impulse window ends, decide whether or not you still want to buy.
Most of the time, this urge will fade and you will save money.
It’s a great way to build self-control and it completely rewires how you view your spending.
8. Become A Campus Ambassador
It’s common for companies to recruit students to promote their brands.
In return, the student can receive cash, freebies, or event perks.
Perks include early access to products as well as networking opportunities.
As a student, you will simply be paid to be social and build connections with the right people.
It’s fairly straightforward and can be extremely beneficial.
9. A Campus Freecycle Group
With a college freecycle community on a social media app, students are able to list things that they are giving away.
They can use the likes of Facebook and Instagram to provide others with unused supplies and other helpful equipment.
Students are constantly moving around and cleaning out their dorms.
Not only will it save everybody money, but it will also reduce waste and keep everything clear.
Creating a positive sense of community around the place is also helpful.
10. Always Ask About Discounts
It may seem uncomfortable and awkward sometimes, but there’s never any hurt in asking.
If you don’t ask for something, you simply will never get it.
Even if there are none advertised, there may be something that can help you.
Certain shops you visit regularly may provide you with something that could be extremely useful going forward.
All it takes is a bit of courage to ask. Students often receive significant discounts in stores or for important services.
The majority may say no, but that’s the worst that will happen. A small minority will inevitably give you what you need.
11. Consider A Financial Trade-Off Once A Week
If you are in the habit of spending too much money right now, perhaps you could find one small thing to substitute each week.
For example, you could ride a bike somewhere instead of a rideshare. You could practice cooking something instead of ordering.
They may be viewed as sacrifices and frustrations initially, but they are positive trades that will challenge your habits.
If you can build this habit, you will feel a lot more positive and make a genuinely measurable change.
12. Work On Your Meal Prep
It’s understandable that you may not be the most educated when it comes to your cooking skills.
That’s okay because there’s always room and time to learn.
Choosing easy confectioneries and cheap takeaways seems necessary every now and again, but it’s good to learn about meal prep.
Most people think that it’s complicated and time-consuming.
The truth is that you can make extremely basic meals that do not take long - and save money!
Simply taking an hour or two out of your free day could provide you with plenty of nutrition for an entire week.
It’s then a case of getting these prepared meals out of the freezer and tucking in.
There is a lot of content online that can teach you this useful, necessary skill.
13. Volunteer For Free Perks
Volunteering is something that will always benefit you as a student.
You’ll get to pick up experience in lots of different areas and you’ll meet some good people.
Your confidence will grow and opportunities may arise. In terms of your finances, this kind of work can give you free vouchers, food, or supplies.
Just a bit of work and initiative could stop you from having to spend dozens (maybe even hundreds) of unnecessary dollars.
14. Leverage Free Student Software
The chances are that you will need apps or subscriptions that are relatively expensive.
It’s wise to check for student editions beforehand, though.
Most students will overpay for convenience without really digging into what else is out there.
15. Pre-Save For The Big Moments & Occasions
This kind of discipline can be difficult when you are young, but it’s smart to begin putting away a few dollars each week. You will run into key milestones at many points.
The likes of graduation, new hardware, and moving homes may require these savings.
With these kinds of slow burners, you will prevent last-minute scrambling and make big moments special.
If you are somebody who is juggling the likes of student loans or other expenses, even a few dollars a week can make a difference.
16. Conjure Up A Personal Bartering Network
A lot of the time, you don’t need significantly more cash. You will just need to find the right people.
It’s a great idea to trade skills with friends and other students you know.
They could lend you a piece of equipment and you could help out with a few pieces of work.
A barter system like this will build trust and stretch the resources you have in front of you.
More college ideas:
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