Living with parents for 18 or something years of your life can create an illusion of understanding the actual value of money. But sooner or later, you’ll fly the nest, start college or maybe begin to work. This is where you may face real-world expenses. And you will soon discover that your money-management abilities are really low.

Managing money is an essential skill everyone should learn, especially students. Without any real experience, it can be challenging at first. But developing good money habits early on in life is crucial to avoid financial problems later. However, there are some things you should never save on. Time, for example, is more valuable than money. If you’re thinking, “Well, I could have someone to write my research paper for me and save some time,” be sure – it’s worth every cent.

The easiest thing any student can do to start learning money management is to save up their money. Here we have X products that you can save on and get yourself some extra cash.

Clothing

Thrifting is one of the best ways to save money. Although it was considered an option for older and low-income people. Today, thrift shopping is popular among the younger generations. Instead of paying $50 for a T-shirt on Amazon, at a thrift shop, you can buy 5-10 just as good tees as that one. Thrifting is a great way to replenish your wardrobe with stylish, sometimes vintage, unique, and cheap clothing.

Not only is it beneficial for you, but for our planet as well. Thrifting is good for the environment for several reasons. The production, sale, and transportation of new clothing require significant energy and plastic waste. Thrifting is a more eco-friendly option, as it doesn’t require the creation of new materials and the use of non-renewable resources. So by going to a thrift shop, apart from the money, you save our planet as well!

Plus, only thrift shops can offer you clothes that you can’t purchase in mainstream stores now. Vintage oversized jerseys, retro sweatshirts straight from the 90s, rare sneakers from the past – all of it and for a reasonable price. Besides clothing, you may find lots of cheap home appliances for your room on campus. Indeed, Pandora’s box for any student!

Food

Food expenses are a huge part of a student’s budget. Living on campus, especially with friends, is impossible without going out to eat daily, having get-togethers with snacks, and throwing parties. Although it may be fun, such activities can easily drain your wallet. Of course, it doesn’t mean you need to limit yourself completely and starve – an innocent bag of chips won’t hit your pocket. But you should take this matter seriously.

There are some tips to save on food. First, shop in bulk. Buying groceries in big amounts at once is cheaper and saves time in the long run. You’ll not need to visit shops and supermarkets every other day and spend money on transportation. Then you may look for coupons and discounts. Some restaurants and food stores offer student discounts. Grocery stores have loyalty memberships and reward programs.

Eat out less – preparing food at home is always cheaper. Don’t throw out leftovers – you can freeze and eat them later. If you’re not a fan of frozen food, don’t cook in bulk. All these tips are not that hard to follow, but by following them, you’ll save a lot of cash, be sure.

Transportation

The best accommodation option while studying is, of course, to live on campus. But a lot of students can’t reside on campus for various reasons. The only two convenient options they got are public transportation and their own vehicle. Of course, you can walk or cycle a few miles every day, but who wants that? It may be beneficial for health, but let’s be honest, you won’t last long. 

Owning a car today may be quite expensive for any person, let alone students. But if you’re planning to buy a new whip, there are cars that are perfect for students for many reasons. If you already own a car, don’t miss opportunities to save on gas. A lot of networks of gas stations offer gas reward programs and discounted gas prices. Or better yet, consider switching to electric vehicles. It may cost more up-front than a regular gas-fueled vehicle, but you’ll spend less money in the long run.

And if you didn’t know, a student ID card is your ticket to the world of cheap public transportation. Bus and railway companies often offer reduced rates for students. For example, Amtrak is very loyal to students and offers great discounts for their train fares. For sure, traveling by bus or train may take longer. But we’re talking about saving money, though, aren’t we?

Entertainment

It’s actually quite possible to have fun and stay on budget. There are plenty of free or low-cost entertainment options – movie nights on campus, various student events, local festivals – the list goes on. Even the already mentioned thrift shopping – a lot of young people today consider it not only as a way to get some clothes but kind of as a treasure hunt. Have you ever visited an art gallery? It may be fun even if you’re not an art connoisseur.

If you have a big company of friends, there are even cheaper activities for you. Real racing is expensive – no worries, go-karting is always here for you. Bored of the same stuff happening on campus? Check how good you are at solving puzzles in escape rooms. Wanna something more extreme? Paintballing, there you go. By the way, paintballing companies often offer students. Don’t be shy to ask about any available discounts next time.

The only thing that may bother you is your academic duties. Luckily, you can always use essay writing services, save some time and spend it with your homies. Having a good time with friends doesn’t require breaking the bank at all. And you’ll be surprised how many activities are yet to discover for you.

Concussion

Saving money is an essential habit that any student should have. While it may seem hard to combine it with studying, with proper planning, budgeting, and discipline, nothing is impossible.