4 Easy Ways to Spend Less Money in College

College students work hard and spend harder. Here are some ways to get your spending under control. 

Did you know that the average person under 25 spends over $2,000 a year eating out? Restaurants, fast food, and those Grubhub deliveries are certainly delicious, but it’s super easy to overspend. Instead, how about trying a bit of good home cooking? 

Before you head over to the grocery store, have a snack - the last thing you want is to be buying food on an empty stomach! Make sure you bring a list with you, as impulse buying will drain your account dry. Finally, take a look at this master list of inexpensive grocery stores (research is important). It might take a bit more time and effort, but guaranteed, when you make a Parmesan Risotto and see your account in the green, it’ll be worth it.

If you’re currently a student, congratulations: thanks to your super expensive tuition, big companies give you insane discounts. Whether it be reduced prices on services you already use, extra benefits and perks (Spotify with free Hulu anyone?), or even extended warranties, student discounts are an incredible asset that you should be using. Not sure where to start? Check out UNiDAYS and Student Beans, popular sites that will help you get prices that are more budget friendly through your student status. 

If you’re not planning to cut back on the amount that you’re spending, a bit of cash back from your favorite retailers might help. There are a variety of services that offer cash back for your shopping, including Swagbucks, Ibotta, Honey, Drop, and even banks such as Bank Of America. Utilizing these programs at your favorite retailers will let you keep spending, but will leave more cash in your account afterwards. 

Are you signed up for reward programs? If not, you’re missing out on free gift cards, price reductions, and price matching that could save you hundreds of dollars. To get started, many retailers offer their own apps filled with coupons, such as Starbucks, Target, and McDonalds, and there are a ton of sites to find printed coupons to increase your savings even more. Wallethub has a great list of programs for you to get started with banks, airlines, hotels, and retailers.

Hopefully with these spending tips, you can keep your bank account out of the negative and stay on track with your spending goals. Try the Kora app to help determine your spending goals and track your progress, becoming the budget master you knew you could be.