Culture

Here’s A Heap Of The Internet’s Best Hacks For Saving Money When You’re A Student

by Brad Johnston  5 June 2019
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Saving money is tough. Add to that the fact you’re a student just trying your best to make it through each pay cycle, and it can feel like a near impossible feat.

The idea that students have to be broke is – we’re calling it – total BS, and with the help of our good mate The Internet, you can find tonnes of surprisingly helpful tips, tricks, and hacks that’ll help you save your hard-earned cash, even while you’re studying.

Imagine reaching the evening before pay day with more than $20 to your name – it’s a wild thought, right?

Here are our favourite money saving hacks for students, courtesy of the internet.

#1 Change The Font Before You Print

OK, hear us out.

Chances are you submit most of your coursework digitally, but professors still living in the ‘00s will insist you print out your class outline or other materials as a physical reference.

If you’ve had to buy ink lately, you’ll know it often seems more expensive than the printer itself. Some genius academic in the US discovered there was a way to make it stretch longer by printing documents only in Century Gothic font.

The font uses 30 percent less ink, and we don’t argue with science.

#2 Curb Your Exxy Coffee Habits

“[I save money] making my own coffee instead of buying several a day. It’s just a couple of bucks here or there, but it really adds up,” writes Reddit user StickleyMan.

It’s obvious, right? But if you have more of a “hook it into my veins” approach when it comes to coffee, your bank account will appreciate the effort.

Image: Bruno Cervera / Unsplash

While we’re talking coffee, make the most of loyalty cards, people. If you’re going to buy from cafes on campus, you could be getting a freebie every other week. And, apart from saving that $4 from time to time, money can’t buy that absurdly satisfying feeling of handing in a fully-punched card.

You need your go-go juice, we get it, but by being smarter about your caffeine needs, you’re bound to save big time in the long run.

#3 Introduce ‘No Spend’ Days

Being frugal isn’t the most exciting lifestyle, so take motivation wherever you can find it and set yourself a challenge. See if you can spend zero dollars for an entire day, once a week.

It’s perfect for all you competitive folk and lets you test your willpower by using what’s available to you instead of dipping into your bank account for it.

We’re talking improvising snacks based on what’s in the fridge, using your load-and-go travel card over booking an Uber, and doing whatever it takes to spend no money.

Society tells you that you can’t make a meal out of chick peas, potatoes and baked beans? Prove. Them. Wrong.

#4 Don’t Let The Books Hit Back

Ugh, textbooks. They’re wildly expensive and, as far as your uni days are concerned, literally bane of your existence.

“Don’t buy your books before the class starts,” says Reddit user kelush. “A lot of classes don’t actually require the book and you can get by without it.”

While we’d advise against winging it with no source material, check your uni and community library or second-hand bookshops, even online platforms like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace – chances are, one of them will have what you need.

#5 Merge Those Subscriptions

Are you and your three other housemates using separate Netflix subscriptions? Cancel them and migrate in to one big, beautiful, frugal account.

You’ll cut your monthy expenses by $10 instantly. The same goes for music streaming services like Spotify – get a family account, share the love, and the savings.

Unless of course you’re still using the account of your ex, in which case just keep on doing what you’re doing. They know what they did.

#6 Make The Most Of Student Discounts

Having access to a discount card is a privilege you won’t receive again until you’re a pensioner – cherish it.

It’s not just discounted movie and train tickets anymore – so many businesses offer student discounts and, if you’re not jumping on them, then you’re missing out, fam.

Websites like UniDays collate free and exclusive deals for students – get amongst it.

#7 How Badly Do You Want It, Really?

Online shopping is great, don’t get it twisted, but it pays to think twice before you buy.

“If you are wanting to buy something online, put it in a cart but don’t buy it right away,” says an anonymous Reddit user. “Wait until the next morning and then see if you really want it. I’ve saved that way.”

Think back to those times you’ve loaded up your cart with clothes late at night and purchased them without hesitation. No doubt a few outfits that have never even seen the light of day are in some dark corner of your cupboard.

Juggling finances and studies is tough, but managing both while putting some cash away isn’t impossible. Try your hand at these hacks and you’ll be one step closer to killing it in the money saving department.

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(Lead image: Element5 Digital / Unsplash)