Tips for Saving and Earning Money During the School Year

Despite scholarships, loans and other types of financial aid, college still remains a huge expense for a majority of students. Textbooks, entertainment, food and transportation are most likely being paid out of pocket, which for many students can be a huge struggle. But don’t worry; here are a few simple ways to save your money and earn a few extra bucks, so that you don’t have to live off of ramen and easy mac every day!

Rent/ Buy Used Textbooks: We’ve all had that one professor that only requires one textbook for class. However, the newest version of that book can cost anywhere between $100 to $200. Cut your costs next semester by getting your textbook through sites like Amazon, Chegg or even from fellow students that have taken the same class.

Sell Back Your Textbooks: Amazon provides a service where they will buy your lightly used books and give you Amazon store credit in exchange. Just type in the name of your book to see if they will accept it. Also, with the start of a new semester it is a good idea to post in your class Facebook page to see if anyone is taking the course you took. You won’t get as much as you paid for it, but it’s better than having the book sit in your dorm for the rest of the year!

Take Advantage of the university: Richmond has so much to offer on almost any given day and often students don’t even know about all of the various opportunities! We have a top-notch gym with quality machines as well as group classes for almost any type of workout. The university also puts on several events that usually have food at no cost. From events hosted by your RA to Spider Board nights and even events hosted by the university, you are guaranteed to find food along with a fun time and great people! Richmond also offers a Netflix-esque service with dozens of movies and shows for you to watch free of charge. So take advantage of everything that the University has to offer so that you can get the most out of your money!

Skip the Uber: Richmond has an amazing transportation system that many schools don’t offer. If you’re needing to get off campus for a quick trip to the grocery store or to lunch at a nearby place, skip the Uber ride and take the shuttle instead!

Get a Job: If your schedule allows it and you want to have a small but steady source of income, consider getting a job on campus. Richmond has tons of opportunities for student employment and they can all be found here. Most jobs don’t require a huge time commitment and are also flexible with the student’s schedules.

Create a Budget: If you know that you have a tendency to spend, try setting a budget at the start of every month with an amount that you want to spend, invest and save. Hopefully this will help you to limit the amount of impulse purchases you make and train you to keep track of your money and spending.

Ask About Student Discount: Usually around college campuses, local restaurants and shops offer student discounts. If you’re planning on eating or shopping around the University area or Carytown make sure to ask if they offer a student discount!

These are just a few tips to help you stay on top of your finances, especially during the school year when expenses start piling up. There’s no need to do them all at once, but if you start implementing a few into your daily routine, your bank account will definitely thank you!

Contact Buzz editor Lauren Gill at lauren.gill@richmond.edu