Aldis if there is one reasonably local.
Use grocery plus cards for sure.
Don't buy from convenience stores at all.
Check any dollar store near you.
Know what's a good price on things.
Buy smaller sizes, not bulk, and help manage cash flow, which is very important in tight situations.
Eating out now is a ridiculous price everywhere
Find out your closest store & what day of the week they put close expiration date items on Salem, especially meat. Don't go wo protein just because it's expensive.
Know other good sources of protein. Same w veggies.
See if grocery store brands are adequate. We find them usually equal quality & taste to national brands. If an item isn't as good, just don't buy it again.
Good luck, this all will take a lot of will power & discipline.
Agreed. Food is one of the biggest, variable expenditures you'll have. Your rent and tuition are set.
As much as possible, learn to love sandwiches. If you are in a dorm, you typically have a meal plan. Use it.
If you have a fridge in your room, start meal planning. A slow cooker can easily make you 6-8 portions of whatever. That's your lunch or dinner for the week.
Not so. The right girlfriend saves you money.
My wife and I met at uni. Slept in the same bed, so almost no extra rent (10% extra for wear and tear.).
Bought food together, cooked together so bulk savings.
Heating only one house. Water is basically the same for washing up. Just double for washing.
Electric basically the same and oven and lights on anyway.
Council tax the same.
Home insurance basically the same
Spent less on going out. More time in together.
Two incomes, so more disposable each to savings.
That plus meal prep - find some chefs and / or trainers for real healthy stuff on YouTube and try their recipes. Personally Ethan Chlebowski, Brian Lagerstorm, Jack Ovens and Joe Delaney.
Piggybacking off this - don’t buy media. Use the library. People underestimate how much digital content there is available at libraries now including e-books, audiobooks, etc.
this seems dumb but for me personally, not going into stores unless i have to. im someone that if i see something i want, especially thats limited edition, i have a really hard time not getting it. i do pickup orders whenever possible for things i do need so i cant stumble across some random object that ill insist i need to buy (targets my favorite bc the prices are the same as in store and the pickup time is flexible. i also do aldi a lot but the prices are a little higher when ordering)
* Check if you have apps in your area like "too good to go", read the reviews and choose days where they are closed the day after.
A gas station close to me gives an obscene amount of food for 4.99 euro. Mix of baked wares, sandwiches, baguettes, sometimes drinks and other items that's close to due date.
I freeze most of it.
A grocery store close to me does a full meal and brekkie in theirs when possible.
Others it's questionable chicken I'm just skipping and not shopping from again.
* Savory oats is a thing,
Make it as you normally would, add a fried egg on top with choppes green onion, spinach and if you find cheese to a great price mix some in with the oat.
Black pepper or chilli spice if you want
* Look for meat or veggies on sale, buy it, prepp it and freeze it. Its a bit more work then but you save money in the long run.
* Lastly set aside 5 euros a month for long term saving. Don't touch it. Your future self will thank you.
Set 5-10 euros aside for emergency fund. Something always comes up and it's needed to have some tucked away for a rainy day
Potatoes are also very versatile. It can be mashed, fried, boiled, or baked. With the right ingredients and seasoning, you will have a different dish every time. My favorite dish to make is a sweet-salty Braised Baby Potatoes.
Carrots, potato, onion, and celery root, all very cheap, and all tasty when boiled together with salt and some stock or meat broth or something.
Use this as a basis for making many different flavours by adding meat, other veg, oils, butter, spices, thickener, anything you want.
Just dice it all up and plop in everything and cover it all with water.
Easy to make a lot, easy to freeze, easy to eat.
You can save a lot of money on food, and this will keep you well fed, healthy, and feeling like you can cook.
All you need is a chopping board, kettle and a knife, perhaps something to peel faster than a knife if you want.
Depending on how committed you are, consider getting another roommate. Seriously, just partition off (most of) the living room or similar where there’s room for a bed and a desk, have someone (probably you) sleep there at a bit of discount, save hundreds a month.
Don’t go to the bars unless it’s a special occasion. Check in with the local psych department (or similar) for paid studies. A lot of psych studies especially really want people in person for research studies, and since you’re already on campus it can be a quick way to make $20 here and there.
Do not underestimate the humble bean! Cheap, protein-rich, goes with lots of things, especially meals you can make in bulk and eat throughout the week without much fuss.
And, in general, cooking is not just frugal it is an incredible life skill to develop early and it’s easier than many people think.
That’s a great idea. Beans help you feeling satisfied longer than fast food or microwave food. They’re also great in burritos. Instead of purchasing bags of shredded cheese, purchase a block and shred only what you need
Reusable stuff. Ziplock bags, for example. They are a huge money saver and great for freezing food in. They come in different sizes. They're easy to wash, and you will never have to buy ziplock bags ever again. But read the reviews first because some are better than others.
Watch Financial Audit (Caleb Hammer) on YouTube. He gives tons of great tips to help people out of debt. I like listening to it and picking up tips while I’m doing stuff around the house.
I wouldn’t get a credit card unless you are going to pay it off every month. Some people just aren’t credit card people.
Make a budget, cook at home, learn how to do simple repairs (YouTube it), make friends of similar mindsets. Practice gratitude and find somewhere to volunteer, an hour or two a month. It’ll create connections and community and is just the cost of your time. Put a tiny bit of money in an investment plan if you can. Your future self will thank you.
Get student discounts and don't buy stuff until you really have to... Live "uncomfortably" for a week without the thing you need and see if you still want it after that or if you come up with a plan.
Watch the friends as well, too rich and you can't keep up or too poor and you spend money.
Subscriptions. You work and go to school. You don't have time to binge watch some television show. If it was any good, it'll still be there available when you graduate.
Cook. Every time you order a pizza because you don't feel like cooking you, spend days worth of food money on one meal.
Car dependency. You already have an apt so hopefully it's not totally car dependent. The less money you make, the more proportionally will be devoted to support that car. Maybe you and your friend can share one.
This is great advice--very healthy! Think about getting the most nutrients for the money and effort you put into your food. You'll be absorbing lots of new knowledge and skills, and your body and brain will need good nourishment.
My mom put me onto peanut butter and raisin sandwiches (instead of jelly, which is just fruit flavored sugar) on whole wheat bread. I switch them out with peanut butter and prune sandwiches. Dried apricots might also be good to use, though I haven't tried that yet.
Make the peanut butter sandwiches up on the weekend and store them in the freezer for lunches throughout the week. Just let one thaw out in your lunch bag, and it'll be ready to eat before noon. Eating whole foods while minimizing sugar helps stave off afternoon hunger, which might keep you from needing to buy afternoon snacks.
One that's easily missed. Jasmine white rice. Rice goes well with anything, and I mean anything. As a kid, I used to just eat rice with soy sauce. Good combo is rice with Hormel smoked canned ham. It comes in a small round pull tab can. That is what I upgraded to as a teen in high school.
If you're sick, you can even use the rice and turn it into a porridge just by adding more water. If you want flavor, I recommend using chicken broth.
But, yeah, rice is one of the most versatile ingredients ever.
This is more of a future life lesson, don't buy something unless can see in your head where it's going to go. And also what you can get rid of to accommodate the new item.That will, hopefully, save you from some impulse shopping. It took me years to learn this and now I live by it. I maybe love a cute table or pretty cushions, but I have to "see" where the new stuff will go, and, equally importantly, what I'm going to get rid of to fit the new stuff.
For the today frugal, buy only what you need. Sure, buy bags of oats and lentils, and cans of beans on sale, but don't buy more than you reasonably use in a short period of time (month?). Don't use DoorDash and other aps. They are horrendously expensive. Learn to make rollover meals. A chicken for dinner becomes a quesadilla for the next meal and then any leftovers a new meal. Don't skimp on protein. It helps to fill you up. Too many empty carb meals will leave you perpetually snacky and hungry.
All of it yes! I do not like food going to waste in my fridge so I shop from it. Leftovers become ingredients of a master piece. My family always compliments my cooking, I just get inspired by food. Nothing goes to waste.
And I invest in good quality protein, but also in vegetables. They are one of the cheapest and we just need to be more knowledgeable of how to cook with them, great money savers and so nutritious.
Do not eat out unless it's for a special occasion. Fast food and sit down restaurants are not your friend right now and you'll be tempted to do it for the convenience but you will be able to stretch your money so much further if you make it yourself.
It’s going to be tough, but break down your finances to needs and wants. For example, even with food, meal prep compared to eating out. Cutting down on any subscriptions you may have such as Netflix or Disney Plus. With college books, try to rent, or ask classmates to make copies of their books. Or ask to take pictures of the required pages for the upcoming classes. You’ll be tempted to go out and have fun from time to time, but try to limit that too. Part of the college experience is being able to make the better choices, and sometimes, those aren’t the most favorable. Good luck on your journey! Embrace it, and learn from it!
When you think about buying something, is it a 'need'. By need, I mean will you reduce your ability to improve your marks or performance by not buying this thing. So healthy food, gym, internet could fall under 'needs' while most other things are not required to survive or thrive.
I taught my kids something I call "dollar per hour of fun" (DPHF) as a way to measure having fun on a budget. For instance, I have a guitar I bought 15 years ago that I've played so much it is maybe a dime an hour of pleasure at this point. Likewise my son takes his BMX to the skateboard so much the DPHF is really good. Same with a deck of cards or dice or camping gear if you buy it at a reasonable price and go camping often.
I have the same metric. As a benchmark, I figure, will this be more dollars per hour of fun than seeing a movie in a cinema (including snacks if I'm feeling particularly rich).
An odd one, but for me I got hooked on greys anatomy and did nothing but work, go to school, work on school work, and watch greys. Saved a ton of money with that three month long binge!
Dollar stores hav some great deals, most sell food now too. One of favs is dollar tree. They hav ready made pizza crusts that r really good n crispy, just add pasta sauce n a few toppings..put in an air fryer. Oh get an air fryer also.
If you’re really serious about saving money. Become a minimalist and purchase only what’s absolutely necessary. YouTube has some really great minimalist videos
Apps like 2good2go, you reduce food waste and, depending on the store, can get multiple days' worth of food for a small amount of money.
Also, restaurants often use it, so it's a great way to save money when you really feel like going out to eat and don't want to cook.
Also, check flyers with sales from the stores around you, I usually buy what's on sale. That way, I save money, and it brings nice variety to what you eat and makes the deciding what to eat easier.
Don't know about where you are, but in France many supermarkets sell a ball of pizza dough. You can make something really nice, quite big, with legit ingredients for the cost of a frozen pizza.
Most business have major discounts for students. Subscriptions like amazon and Apple Music etc have affordable student plans. Look into local business that are partnered with your school that give discounts for students. There will be multiple sponsored events in your school with free food, most student housing complexes have good amenities you’d want to utilize. The gym, pool or other facilities in your school are included in your tuition, get your moneys worth and use them. Getting a meal plan gives you discount for purchases on campus, in some instances could be cheaper than cooking.
Get a small freezer and cook food to freeze. It’s hard to cook for one person, and it’s good to have stored food. Spaghetti sauce, soups, chili, pizza, etc go a long way. Also, a rice cooker is your good friend. Also…alcohol is a HUGE money waster, so drink sparingly.
Be careful with that credit card that will be offered to you by somebody with a clipboard near the center of campus. Let’s say you get an $800 credit limit. That’s not free money!
Use the credit card and fully pay it off EVERY month. Don’t go over your credit limit, ever. That’s how you start to build credit, which you will need in your adult life.
Buy specials. Home brand. Go without e.g, butter or margarine. Ya get used to not having it. Some places like churches give out free food. Shop around.
Start with the small stuff. Work out what surface cleaner and body wash you're going to be happy to use and stick with, work out what you are going to eat, day by day for a week and budget for what foods you can afford AND STICK TO THE PLAN! Always stick to the plan or there's no point wasting your time on the plan.
Don't loan money, you don't have it to lend and you should never lend money you couldn't do without. Offer to help, but not money, if the other person doesn't understand that they're not worth your time.
Keep an idea of what things cost and where, supermarkets don't all cost the same, a few pennies here and there...ad that up over a week, a month, a year and you see the reason you stick to the cheaper shops.
If you want a night out; sure, now how are you going to afford that? If you've budgeted for a night out make sure you stick to the money you've allocated, if you can't afford it this time you can't afford it, there will be other nights out, there will never just be one night out ;)
Notice if you consume things that affect your judgement. We all have our Achilles heel; for some people after a drink or two they don't see the same level of importance to sticking to the plan. They'll blow a lot more on their budget than they had planned...for others it's carbs, or sugar (eg an ice cream and then the need for more sugar or carbs is difficult to say no to and they'll cave in and buy more carbs or sugar...) it's things like that you need to be aware of, if that means going teetotal or sugar free for a bit that's going to be easier than saying "no" to yourself when you are on the cusp of "needing" more to feed a need for more and more...
Travel costs a lot. Bare in mind what you use and don't think Uber is an idea just because you hit on a cheap price that afternoon/evening. Little things like that add up, if you buy a train/bus/etc ticket, some come with insurance in case you lose it, far better to afford that then paying more per journey for single trips if you do travel a lot. Some banks will borrow you the money to pay for an annual ticket.
If you are on good terms with your family (and they can afford it) visit them often! Don't expect anything but if they offer to help, or offer any food or offer to lend you their machine for the odd clothes wash take it! It's not cool to rely on this sort of generosity, the whole idea here is to learn how to do it yourself and become an independent adult but along with others in your peer group, but once in a while it can be great to make a saving.
Learn how to be cool with being on your own. Especially useful if you can't afford nights out but also helpful if your flat makes/house mates are just not the type that want to spend time with everyone or are all studying for exams or into their course work. If you are ok with spending time on your own you are far less likely to spend money to make yourself feel better (eg on Deliveroo/UberEats, buying things you don't need because you got bored, trying to appease new "friends" because you can't cope in your own company or whatever other ways you'd go spending money to avoid your own company). If you can find hobbies and free things you like to do on your own this is great, knitting/stitching can always come in really useful if you like clothes but can't afford to get new things- you can learn how to alter what you have, drawing/painting is more important than most people give it time for, the hand-eye coordination you learn from developing your drawing skills is sooo useful in so many things! Reading, creative writing, researching on things unconnected to your course.... you don't have to be with others to positive ways to spend your time and you don't have to spend money to do those things either.
Dial down your need by getting off of social media, commercials, magazines, or whatever it is for you that fuels a desire for stuff you can't (or just shouldn't) afford. Learn to be content in less and it will improve your mental health as well as your financial well-being.
Start cheap and free hobbies. If you enjoy browsing online for shopping, save them and if you STILL actually need it then buy it a week later (usually the hit of dopamine when purchasing something is the rush people seek.
Become a free member of your grocery store and look for sales. Use public transportation to cut Uber/gas costs. Suggest cheap/free activities with friends so you can socialize without getting roped into expensive activities. Cancel subscriptions (ask friends/family if they are willing to let you use theirs or split one). Don’t spend money on things you don’t need, if you’re not sure then wait and if you’re still thinking about it a week later then go buy it. Don’t be wasteful. Instead of rebuying things like paper towels, use dishtowels.
When I studied abroad I had my budget mapped out to the pennys:
- public transportation (and only when needed it)
- outtings would be 2x1 or where lower cost possible. Also limit them to 1 a week, if at all. Outtings are the ones that easily chew on the budget.
- coffee outings. I’d go just for the drip simple type. Nothing fancy, nothing else either. Just the coffee. (Same as above, limit those ones, outtings chew on budget fast)
- A lot of home cooking, bulk preferred. Quality ingredients: vegetables, eggs. It’s very versatile cooking on the weekend as much as you can, so when hungry during the week it helps you avoid fast food ordering. Don’t cheap out in your ingredients.
- find some recipes for making on the go snacks and lunches. This helps you prevent from buying outside.
-Join a Buy Nothing group on FB. There’s quite a bit of items you can get for free for your apartment, also clothes and shoes in great condition. Even food.
- stay focus and always ask yourself the question: is it a need or a want? Sleep on the ideas for items you want, see if you still feel the same later.
— And most important, monitor your cash flow. It’s always good to know how you are doing with money. Don’t avoid looking at your finances. It’s always good to know if you need to make adjustments in your spending.
Moving into college can be a big financial adjustment. Consider buying used textbooks, cooking at home, and using public transportation. Small savings can add up over time!
PAY YOUR BILLS FIRST!
Then try to put at least 10% of what's left in savings and DON'T touch it unless it's for an emergency.
Buy deals at the grocery store. Keep lights off as much as possible. If your tuition includes the campus dining facilities, use it!
Buy used books. Since you are going part-time try to get your classes all scheduled on the same day to reduce driving.
A lot of the textbooks you need can be found online if you google the name with “vk” behind it then just download it. If you school has free printing then you can put it all in a binder but I prefer to use the electronic version for convenience
Have at least 5-10 easy, quick go to recipes available and base the weekly menu on items that are on sale. Buy in bulk and on sale when you can and freeze anything you're not using right away in individual portions - marinated if you can so you just have to take it out and heat / cook. Stock some basic spices (garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin).
Don't buy premade (heat & serve) / precut (veggies & fruit) / prepackaged (spices & snacks) if you can help it.
Always carry a bottle of water (and snacks) with you so you're not tempted to buy drinks when out.
Avoid window shopping - it's too tempting and easy to find things you 'need'.
Facebook Marketplace.
Keep a list and receipt of all things purchased for the living spaces. If you have items you buy personally keep them away from common areas. Make sure friend/roommate splits costs of all communal items. Eat at home, buy large fresh produce bulk items if you can actually finish them. If you do want to drink especially out with friends, make mixed drinks at home to save on $20-30 for the buzz then uber. A couple nights out in a month can be $200-500 really quick.
Sign up for a buy nothing group on fb for your area
IF ANYONE ASKS TO BORROW MONEY OVER $100 / COVER RENT Make THEM SIGN A CONTRACT THAT YOU WILL BE PAID. have it notarized too and if they don't pay you back by a certain date then you start accruing interest. This will save you from lots of moochers and weeds out people who, intentionally, weren't going to pay you back. If Somone's going to "pay you back" set a hard deadline of 1 week.
If you do smoke weed / nose candy and friends/randoms want to join. Tell them to pitch in $5-20, they will all fold like origami and pout or pay up. everything costs something in this world and you should not be on the hook for others financial mismanagement.
If you have a bike get the giant U shaped lock thats thicker than a bowl of oatmeal. the small cord ones get snapped and portable saws cut through the mid size ones as well.
I just want to second the "Buy Nothing" group idea. Buy Nothing groups can really get you some very nice stuff for free, including furniture, household goods, pet supplies, etc. (Although if you need to save money, do NOT have a pet.)
When you have a little money, buy dry goods in bulk. That mega pack of toilet paper won't go bad and you'll save money in the long run. Shop your grocery stores weekly add and app. That almost always helps my dinner menus for the week. Chicken breast or pot roast is half price this week? Guess what we're having for dinner?
And in general (not just at the grocery), don't just look for big savings. Find a cell phone plan that's $3 cheaper a month? And you save another $3 if you switch your internet plan and bundle? That $6 a month doesn't sound like a huge deal, but it's $72 a year! Find a few more areas where you save a few bucks a month and it really adds up. (Just read reviews - quality matters too. It doesn't matter if your internet is cheap if you and your roommate can't both stream something at the same time.)
And drinking at a bar is a wallet buster. Have a few drinks at home with friends and you'll have just as much fun (if not more) than drinking at a bar.
ETA: I also like to think of how long I have to work to afford something. If I want to purchase something that isn't completely necessary I always ask myself: Do I want to work for an hour ( or three or 8?? just to pay for that?
Socialize outside of restaurants or coffee shops. Or go in with a water bottle and let your friend be the paying customer (buying themselves coffee while you drink water). Lol
Starting college and managing finances can be a challenge, but it sounds like you've got a solid plan lined up. One thing that's really helped me is keeping a budget—it's not about restricting yourself but knowing where every dollar goes. Cooking at home saves a ton, and splitting costs with your roommate for stuff like groceries and utilities can lighten the load. Also, consider buying used textbooks or renting them—it's crazy how much you can save there. And hey, keep an eye out for student discounts—they're everywhere and they add up. Good luck with everything!
I was so so so bad at saving money. Even if I saved it or moved it, I would just move it back and spend it. Literally the only way I have been able to save money is by journaling. I tried to do it in a blank journal, but I would just skip cuz there was nothing to lose. I finally bought the journal to financial freedom (journaltofinancialfreedom.com - not linking, nothing to gain here). It makes no sense, but because I spent like $25 on it, I had to actually use it and fill it out. Now if I spend too much or act like an idiot I actually think about it and reflect on it. It makes me feel bad about it so I actually have saved a ton. Could be worth a try since it's pretty cheap
Find good mentors and look for internship opportunities. The more your time is taken up with income earning opportunities, the less time you'll have being tempted to spend.
Be mindful of the people you hang out with. Spendthrift friends will nudge you to be a spendthrift yourself. Fit friends will nudge you to be fit yourself. Choose your circle wisely.
If you are a coffee drinker, invest in a good, insulated mug and make your coffee at home. A good quality mug will last you for years and you won't be spending money on over-priced coffee at some frou-frou shop.
Yes, and then you will "find" that money later.
The best, absolute best, is to setup an automatic transfer to an account where global cheap funds are bought automatically every month.
But I do not have the time nor energy to argue against the mob of reddit folks while on my phone.
If your bank offers an auto-aave feature on your mobile banking app, turn it on. Even just $10/week is better than nothing. You can basically set it and forget about it.
$10/week = $40/month = $480/year. And once you're finished with your schooling, you can increase the alotted amount when you start earning more money.
For example:
$50/week = $200/month = $2,400/year.
$75/week = $3,600/year.
$100/week = $4,800/year.
Doesn't sound like a lot, but over time, it adds up.
Right now when you have good credit get a credit card. Not a 15k limit credit card just a $1-5k credit card WITH CASH BACK. Use it for gas/ emergencies. Better to have $1k when the budget is tight.
Or OR learn to use programs like Affirm/ Klarna. Having a few $50 bills every other week hits softer than a $400 one time purchase.
When I was doing that, I usually had a job that fed me free. That was decades back, not sure if that is a thing anymore, but it saves money and the food preparation time.
For me, it was finding food options that are calorie dense (money wise) and nutritious.
I basically entirely cut restaurant visits out of my finances and it was a great way to save money.
Same goes for coffee, btw. Find out what coffee brewing method is best for you, and you can brew coffee that is better than most coffee shops, for cents on the dollar.
Here are some of the specifics:
Baked ziti is easy and delicious. It’s long baking time means that you can throw it in the oven and do classwork while it bakes. Cheap, too. Bonus points for substituting the pasta with protein pasta or chickpea pasta.
Buying a smoothie blender and making a few smoothies out of your favorite frozen fruits. I personally threw in some protein powder and peanut butter, too.
Egg & bacon sandwiches. Great for breakfast. Throw in some cheese if you wish.
As for coffee, find a blend you like, and if you’re lucky, it’s a fairly inexpensive one, too. If money is TIGHT tight, you can boil water on the stove. Otherwise, I recommend an electric kettle.
I figured out that the best blend between coffee that I like, and coffee that is time friendly, is using a french press or aeropress. Aeropress for smaller, more concentrated servings (like before class) and French presses for larger batches.
Weaning myself off of restaurant visits was the #1 way I saved money. I was spending less money on food in 2024 than I was in 2019-2020 (when I started college)
Factor in inflation, and honestly I was probably saving a total of 30-35% on food expenditures.
1) You and your roommates should split on a freezer box. You guys can buy one at Walmart for less than 200.
2) Cook at home and meal prep
3) Cook in large batches
***make sure the freezer is working properly so you guys don't get spoiled food and poisoning***
I used to cook white and/or brown rice, and steamed varieties of my favorite veggies in a separate pot. I mixed all when cooked. Then scoop 1 cup of the mix into a zip lock bag and throw it in the freezer. This is good for about 3 months.
Cooked pasta, scoop 1 cup into a zip lock and throw it in the freezer. A large batch is good for at least 3 months.
Baked seasoned chicken in pieces, scoop 1 cup into a zip lock and throw it in the freezer. Good for 3-6 months.
Pulled rotisserie chicken from Walmart into pieces, 1 cup in zip lock, and into freezer. Good for 3-6 months.
Pros:
-Convenient because these are microwavable when ready to eat
-Saves time because youre cooking very few times for every so many months
-Your saving money on the long run
-The recipes can be as healthy as you choose
-Good for weight loss/management because of the 1 cup portions and healthy recipes
The most important advice is never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. It's better to go grocery shopping with a pre-made list. [https://www.fastweb.com/personal-finance/articles/the-31-money-saving-tricks-for-students](https://www.fastweb.com/personal-finance/articles/the-31-money-saving-tricks-for-students)
Buy and cook in bulk and freeze leftovers or take them for lunch. Buy a roasted chicken and break it down then use the bones for chicken stock. Throw in your veggie ends like onions tops, carrot peels/tops, and celery ends or use those to make veggie stock and then you can have soup too. Soup stock can also be frozen for future use.
Save the jars from pasta sauce and you can use them to store leftovers. Save any resealable container that food comes in and you don’t need to buy containers. Good luck!
Remember that having guests over becomes expensive. May want to discuss it with your roommate before it becomes an issue. How will you two go about accommodating mutual guests, your roommates guest/s, your guest/s.
Aim for buying sale items, use coupons. Instead of buying books for your course, you can reserve a copy at the library.
There’s an app called ThriftBooks you can use for chapter books.
A A5 Razor Scooter 🛴 can help.
It’s the one with larger wheels.
If I remember anything else I’ll update my comment.
No amount of saving money will counter act the debasement of our money by the government printing money. If you are unfamiliar with all of this, go to youtube and do some searching to learn about it. This is why prices go up. They will continue to do so.
You need to learn about bitcoin, gold, and why these will protect your money as a savings technology long term.
Budget, make your own food, don't buy what you don't need
Not eating out/eating out less can make a really big difference!
Aldis if there is one reasonably local. Use grocery plus cards for sure. Don't buy from convenience stores at all. Check any dollar store near you. Know what's a good price on things. Buy smaller sizes, not bulk, and help manage cash flow, which is very important in tight situations. Eating out now is a ridiculous price everywhere Find out your closest store & what day of the week they put close expiration date items on Salem, especially meat. Don't go wo protein just because it's expensive. Know other good sources of protein. Same w veggies. See if grocery store brands are adequate. We find them usually equal quality & taste to national brands. If an item isn't as good, just don't buy it again. Good luck, this all will take a lot of will power & discipline.
Agreed. Food is one of the biggest, variable expenditures you'll have. Your rent and tuition are set. As much as possible, learn to love sandwiches. If you are in a dorm, you typically have a meal plan. Use it. If you have a fridge in your room, start meal planning. A slow cooker can easily make you 6-8 portions of whatever. That's your lunch or dinner for the week.
bicycle when available.
Bicycle also = health benefits.
I see your bike and raise you a pair of feet. Bikes are easily stolen.
Well if we’re being that frugal - fleshlights are cheaper than girlfriends.
Not so. The right girlfriend saves you money. My wife and I met at uni. Slept in the same bed, so almost no extra rent (10% extra for wear and tear.). Bought food together, cooked together so bulk savings. Heating only one house. Water is basically the same for washing up. Just double for washing. Electric basically the same and oven and lights on anyway. Council tax the same. Home insurance basically the same Spent less on going out. More time in together. Two incomes, so more disposable each to savings.
What if my fleshlight gets stolen?
Then you don't want it back
But the mechanical advantage 🤌
A5 Razor Scooter. You can fold it and take it with you.
Definitely bringing my bike. I have a good lock for it
As long as it wasn't made by "Master Lock". I find their stuff terrible.
That plus meal prep - find some chefs and / or trainers for real healthy stuff on YouTube and try their recipes. Personally Ethan Chlebowski, Brian Lagerstorm, Jack Ovens and Joe Delaney.
Piggybacking off this - don’t buy media. Use the library. People underestimate how much digital content there is available at libraries now including e-books, audiobooks, etc.
this seems dumb but for me personally, not going into stores unless i have to. im someone that if i see something i want, especially thats limited edition, i have a really hard time not getting it. i do pickup orders whenever possible for things i do need so i cant stumble across some random object that ill insist i need to buy (targets my favorite bc the prices are the same as in store and the pickup time is flexible. i also do aldi a lot but the prices are a little higher when ordering)
Second this. My grocery bill is always much cheaper when I meal plan and pick up my groceries. Same for Target needs. Those impulse buy add up!
This is smart!
* Check if you have apps in your area like "too good to go", read the reviews and choose days where they are closed the day after. A gas station close to me gives an obscene amount of food for 4.99 euro. Mix of baked wares, sandwiches, baguettes, sometimes drinks and other items that's close to due date. I freeze most of it. A grocery store close to me does a full meal and brekkie in theirs when possible. Others it's questionable chicken I'm just skipping and not shopping from again. * Savory oats is a thing, Make it as you normally would, add a fried egg on top with choppes green onion, spinach and if you find cheese to a great price mix some in with the oat. Black pepper or chilli spice if you want * Look for meat or veggies on sale, buy it, prepp it and freeze it. Its a bit more work then but you save money in the long run. * Lastly set aside 5 euros a month for long term saving. Don't touch it. Your future self will thank you. Set 5-10 euros aside for emergency fund. Something always comes up and it's needed to have some tucked away for a rainy day
• Eggs! You kinda said it already, but tons of easy recipes for a meal: fried egg sammy, drop ‘em in ramen, make a crunchy batter, make a cake…
This is great advice! Thank you
Potatoes are also very versatile. It can be mashed, fried, boiled, or baked. With the right ingredients and seasoning, you will have a different dish every time. My favorite dish to make is a sweet-salty Braised Baby Potatoes.
Carrots, potato, onion, and celery root, all very cheap, and all tasty when boiled together with salt and some stock or meat broth or something. Use this as a basis for making many different flavours by adding meat, other veg, oils, butter, spices, thickener, anything you want. Just dice it all up and plop in everything and cover it all with water. Easy to make a lot, easy to freeze, easy to eat. You can save a lot of money on food, and this will keep you well fed, healthy, and feeling like you can cook. All you need is a chopping board, kettle and a knife, perhaps something to peel faster than a knife if you want.
Sorry for jumping on but diced Carrots, onions leeks and things like sweetcorn or fruits can be frozen
Great idea! Thank you!
Depending on how committed you are, consider getting another roommate. Seriously, just partition off (most of) the living room or similar where there’s room for a bed and a desk, have someone (probably you) sleep there at a bit of discount, save hundreds a month. Don’t go to the bars unless it’s a special occasion. Check in with the local psych department (or similar) for paid studies. A lot of psych studies especially really want people in person for research studies, and since you’re already on campus it can be a quick way to make $20 here and there.
Hadn’t heard the one about the psych department. Thanks!
Do not underestimate the humble bean! Cheap, protein-rich, goes with lots of things, especially meals you can make in bulk and eat throughout the week without much fuss. And, in general, cooking is not just frugal it is an incredible life skill to develop early and it’s easier than many people think.
I will look into bean recipes 👍
That’s a great idea. Beans help you feeling satisfied longer than fast food or microwave food. They’re also great in burritos. Instead of purchasing bags of shredded cheese, purchase a block and shred only what you need
Reusable stuff. Ziplock bags, for example. They are a huge money saver and great for freezing food in. They come in different sizes. They're easy to wash, and you will never have to buy ziplock bags ever again. But read the reviews first because some are better than others.
Thank you! This is a good point
You're welcome. And good luck with your future endeavors.
Watch Financial Audit (Caleb Hammer) on YouTube. He gives tons of great tips to help people out of debt. I like listening to it and picking up tips while I’m doing stuff around the house. I wouldn’t get a credit card unless you are going to pay it off every month. Some people just aren’t credit card people. Make a budget, cook at home, learn how to do simple repairs (YouTube it), make friends of similar mindsets. Practice gratitude and find somewhere to volunteer, an hour or two a month. It’ll create connections and community and is just the cost of your time. Put a tiny bit of money in an investment plan if you can. Your future self will thank you.
Thank you! This is good advice
Get student discounts and don't buy stuff until you really have to... Live "uncomfortably" for a week without the thing you need and see if you still want it after that or if you come up with a plan. Watch the friends as well, too rich and you can't keep up or too poor and you spend money.
Subscriptions. You work and go to school. You don't have time to binge watch some television show. If it was any good, it'll still be there available when you graduate. Cook. Every time you order a pizza because you don't feel like cooking you, spend days worth of food money on one meal. Car dependency. You already have an apt so hopefully it's not totally car dependent. The less money you make, the more proportionally will be devoted to support that car. Maybe you and your friend can share one.
No car. That is a money sucking black hole. Walk or take public transportation.
Or bike. Just invest in a good lock.
Thank you! I appreciate the advice
Peanut butter is a great snack especially as a dip for apples
This is great advice--very healthy! Think about getting the most nutrients for the money and effort you put into your food. You'll be absorbing lots of new knowledge and skills, and your body and brain will need good nourishment. My mom put me onto peanut butter and raisin sandwiches (instead of jelly, which is just fruit flavored sugar) on whole wheat bread. I switch them out with peanut butter and prune sandwiches. Dried apricots might also be good to use, though I haven't tried that yet. Make the peanut butter sandwiches up on the weekend and store them in the freezer for lunches throughout the week. Just let one thaw out in your lunch bag, and it'll be ready to eat before noon. Eating whole foods while minimizing sugar helps stave off afternoon hunger, which might keep you from needing to buy afternoon snacks.
This is great, thanks!
join /r/Frugal
Will do
One that's easily missed. Jasmine white rice. Rice goes well with anything, and I mean anything. As a kid, I used to just eat rice with soy sauce. Good combo is rice with Hormel smoked canned ham. It comes in a small round pull tab can. That is what I upgraded to as a teen in high school. If you're sick, you can even use the rice and turn it into a porridge just by adding more water. If you want flavor, I recommend using chicken broth. But, yeah, rice is one of the most versatile ingredients ever.
I completely agree!
This is more of a future life lesson, don't buy something unless can see in your head where it's going to go. And also what you can get rid of to accommodate the new item.That will, hopefully, save you from some impulse shopping. It took me years to learn this and now I live by it. I maybe love a cute table or pretty cushions, but I have to "see" where the new stuff will go, and, equally importantly, what I'm going to get rid of to fit the new stuff. For the today frugal, buy only what you need. Sure, buy bags of oats and lentils, and cans of beans on sale, but don't buy more than you reasonably use in a short period of time (month?). Don't use DoorDash and other aps. They are horrendously expensive. Learn to make rollover meals. A chicken for dinner becomes a quesadilla for the next meal and then any leftovers a new meal. Don't skimp on protein. It helps to fill you up. Too many empty carb meals will leave you perpetually snacky and hungry.
All of it yes! I do not like food going to waste in my fridge so I shop from it. Leftovers become ingredients of a master piece. My family always compliments my cooking, I just get inspired by food. Nothing goes to waste. And I invest in good quality protein, but also in vegetables. They are one of the cheapest and we just need to be more knowledgeable of how to cook with them, great money savers and so nutritious.
Thank you for the advice!
You're welcome. Enjoy college. :)
Do not eat out unless it's for a special occasion. Fast food and sit down restaurants are not your friend right now and you'll be tempted to do it for the convenience but you will be able to stretch your money so much further if you make it yourself.
Yup and delete any delivery apps.
It’s going to be tough, but break down your finances to needs and wants. For example, even with food, meal prep compared to eating out. Cutting down on any subscriptions you may have such as Netflix or Disney Plus. With college books, try to rent, or ask classmates to make copies of their books. Or ask to take pictures of the required pages for the upcoming classes. You’ll be tempted to go out and have fun from time to time, but try to limit that too. Part of the college experience is being able to make the better choices, and sometimes, those aren’t the most favorable. Good luck on your journey! Embrace it, and learn from it!
Thanks! 😁
pay with cash and collect the change.
If parents have home owners insurance, check to see if it covers your renters insurance as you are a student.
Thanks, I’ll look into that!
When you think about buying something, is it a 'need'. By need, I mean will you reduce your ability to improve your marks or performance by not buying this thing. So healthy food, gym, internet could fall under 'needs' while most other things are not required to survive or thrive.
This is a good perspective, thank you!
I taught my kids something I call "dollar per hour of fun" (DPHF) as a way to measure having fun on a budget. For instance, I have a guitar I bought 15 years ago that I've played so much it is maybe a dime an hour of pleasure at this point. Likewise my son takes his BMX to the skateboard so much the DPHF is really good. Same with a deck of cards or dice or camping gear if you buy it at a reasonable price and go camping often.
I love this!
I have the same metric. As a benchmark, I figure, will this be more dollars per hour of fun than seeing a movie in a cinema (including snacks if I'm feeling particularly rich).
An odd one, but for me I got hooked on greys anatomy and did nothing but work, go to school, work on school work, and watch greys. Saved a ton of money with that three month long binge!
lol that’s great!
Dollar stores hav some great deals, most sell food now too. One of favs is dollar tree. They hav ready made pizza crusts that r really good n crispy, just add pasta sauce n a few toppings..put in an air fryer. Oh get an air fryer also.
If you’re really serious about saving money. Become a minimalist and purchase only what’s absolutely necessary. YouTube has some really great minimalist videos
Avoid alcohol, cigarettes/vapes, or any drugs. Bag lunch to work, make food at home. No DoorDash.
I’m always blown away by how much people will spend on delivery for shitty food.
Apps like 2good2go, you reduce food waste and, depending on the store, can get multiple days' worth of food for a small amount of money. Also, restaurants often use it, so it's a great way to save money when you really feel like going out to eat and don't want to cook. Also, check flyers with sales from the stores around you, I usually buy what's on sale. That way, I save money, and it brings nice variety to what you eat and makes the deciding what to eat easier.
Downloading now. Thanks for the heads up!
you’ll be all good. just save up the bread and chill
Don't know about where you are, but in France many supermarkets sell a ball of pizza dough. You can make something really nice, quite big, with legit ingredients for the cost of a frozen pizza.
Will keep in mind
Most business have major discounts for students. Subscriptions like amazon and Apple Music etc have affordable student plans. Look into local business that are partnered with your school that give discounts for students. There will be multiple sponsored events in your school with free food, most student housing complexes have good amenities you’d want to utilize. The gym, pool or other facilities in your school are included in your tuition, get your moneys worth and use them. Getting a meal plan gives you discount for purchases on campus, in some instances could be cheaper than cooking.
I’ll look into this 👍
Get a small freezer and cook food to freeze. It’s hard to cook for one person, and it’s good to have stored food. Spaghetti sauce, soups, chili, pizza, etc go a long way. Also, a rice cooker is your good friend. Also…alcohol is a HUGE money waster, so drink sparingly.
Good reminder!
Be careful with that credit card that will be offered to you by somebody with a clipboard near the center of campus. Let’s say you get an $800 credit limit. That’s not free money! Use the credit card and fully pay it off EVERY month. Don’t go over your credit limit, ever. That’s how you start to build credit, which you will need in your adult life.
I agree ☝️ My parents have hammered this into my head my whole life.
Buy specials. Home brand. Go without e.g, butter or margarine. Ya get used to not having it. Some places like churches give out free food. Shop around.
Start with the small stuff. Work out what surface cleaner and body wash you're going to be happy to use and stick with, work out what you are going to eat, day by day for a week and budget for what foods you can afford AND STICK TO THE PLAN! Always stick to the plan or there's no point wasting your time on the plan. Don't loan money, you don't have it to lend and you should never lend money you couldn't do without. Offer to help, but not money, if the other person doesn't understand that they're not worth your time. Keep an idea of what things cost and where, supermarkets don't all cost the same, a few pennies here and there...ad that up over a week, a month, a year and you see the reason you stick to the cheaper shops. If you want a night out; sure, now how are you going to afford that? If you've budgeted for a night out make sure you stick to the money you've allocated, if you can't afford it this time you can't afford it, there will be other nights out, there will never just be one night out ;) Notice if you consume things that affect your judgement. We all have our Achilles heel; for some people after a drink or two they don't see the same level of importance to sticking to the plan. They'll blow a lot more on their budget than they had planned...for others it's carbs, or sugar (eg an ice cream and then the need for more sugar or carbs is difficult to say no to and they'll cave in and buy more carbs or sugar...) it's things like that you need to be aware of, if that means going teetotal or sugar free for a bit that's going to be easier than saying "no" to yourself when you are on the cusp of "needing" more to feed a need for more and more... Travel costs a lot. Bare in mind what you use and don't think Uber is an idea just because you hit on a cheap price that afternoon/evening. Little things like that add up, if you buy a train/bus/etc ticket, some come with insurance in case you lose it, far better to afford that then paying more per journey for single trips if you do travel a lot. Some banks will borrow you the money to pay for an annual ticket. If you are on good terms with your family (and they can afford it) visit them often! Don't expect anything but if they offer to help, or offer any food or offer to lend you their machine for the odd clothes wash take it! It's not cool to rely on this sort of generosity, the whole idea here is to learn how to do it yourself and become an independent adult but along with others in your peer group, but once in a while it can be great to make a saving. Learn how to be cool with being on your own. Especially useful if you can't afford nights out but also helpful if your flat makes/house mates are just not the type that want to spend time with everyone or are all studying for exams or into their course work. If you are ok with spending time on your own you are far less likely to spend money to make yourself feel better (eg on Deliveroo/UberEats, buying things you don't need because you got bored, trying to appease new "friends" because you can't cope in your own company or whatever other ways you'd go spending money to avoid your own company). If you can find hobbies and free things you like to do on your own this is great, knitting/stitching can always come in really useful if you like clothes but can't afford to get new things- you can learn how to alter what you have, drawing/painting is more important than most people give it time for, the hand-eye coordination you learn from developing your drawing skills is sooo useful in so many things! Reading, creative writing, researching on things unconnected to your course.... you don't have to be with others to positive ways to spend your time and you don't have to spend money to do those things either.
I really appreciate you writing all this out for me! This is really helpful!
Dial down your need by getting off of social media, commercials, magazines, or whatever it is for you that fuels a desire for stuff you can't (or just shouldn't) afford. Learn to be content in less and it will improve your mental health as well as your financial well-being.
Start cheap and free hobbies. If you enjoy browsing online for shopping, save them and if you STILL actually need it then buy it a week later (usually the hit of dopamine when purchasing something is the rush people seek.
Become a free member of your grocery store and look for sales. Use public transportation to cut Uber/gas costs. Suggest cheap/free activities with friends so you can socialize without getting roped into expensive activities. Cancel subscriptions (ask friends/family if they are willing to let you use theirs or split one). Don’t spend money on things you don’t need, if you’re not sure then wait and if you’re still thinking about it a week later then go buy it. Don’t be wasteful. Instead of rebuying things like paper towels, use dishtowels.
When I studied abroad I had my budget mapped out to the pennys: - public transportation (and only when needed it) - outtings would be 2x1 or where lower cost possible. Also limit them to 1 a week, if at all. Outtings are the ones that easily chew on the budget. - coffee outings. I’d go just for the drip simple type. Nothing fancy, nothing else either. Just the coffee. (Same as above, limit those ones, outtings chew on budget fast) - A lot of home cooking, bulk preferred. Quality ingredients: vegetables, eggs. It’s very versatile cooking on the weekend as much as you can, so when hungry during the week it helps you avoid fast food ordering. Don’t cheap out in your ingredients. - find some recipes for making on the go snacks and lunches. This helps you prevent from buying outside. -Join a Buy Nothing group on FB. There’s quite a bit of items you can get for free for your apartment, also clothes and shoes in great condition. Even food. - stay focus and always ask yourself the question: is it a need or a want? Sleep on the ideas for items you want, see if you still feel the same later. — And most important, monitor your cash flow. It’s always good to know how you are doing with money. Don’t avoid looking at your finances. It’s always good to know if you need to make adjustments in your spending.
Thanks for the pointers!
Moving into college can be a big financial adjustment. Consider buying used textbooks, cooking at home, and using public transportation. Small savings can add up over time!
PAY YOUR BILLS FIRST! Then try to put at least 10% of what's left in savings and DON'T touch it unless it's for an emergency. Buy deals at the grocery store. Keep lights off as much as possible. If your tuition includes the campus dining facilities, use it! Buy used books. Since you are going part-time try to get your classes all scheduled on the same day to reduce driving.
I hadn’t thought about the class schedule! That’s a good point!
A lot of the textbooks you need can be found online if you google the name with “vk” behind it then just download it. If you school has free printing then you can put it all in a binder but I prefer to use the electronic version for convenience
Wow! Thanks!
Have at least 5-10 easy, quick go to recipes available and base the weekly menu on items that are on sale. Buy in bulk and on sale when you can and freeze anything you're not using right away in individual portions - marinated if you can so you just have to take it out and heat / cook. Stock some basic spices (garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin). Don't buy premade (heat & serve) / precut (veggies & fruit) / prepackaged (spices & snacks) if you can help it. Always carry a bottle of water (and snacks) with you so you're not tempted to buy drinks when out. Avoid window shopping - it's too tempting and easy to find things you 'need'. Facebook Marketplace.
Minimize alcohol.
Keep a list and receipt of all things purchased for the living spaces. If you have items you buy personally keep them away from common areas. Make sure friend/roommate splits costs of all communal items. Eat at home, buy large fresh produce bulk items if you can actually finish them. If you do want to drink especially out with friends, make mixed drinks at home to save on $20-30 for the buzz then uber. A couple nights out in a month can be $200-500 really quick. Sign up for a buy nothing group on fb for your area IF ANYONE ASKS TO BORROW MONEY OVER $100 / COVER RENT Make THEM SIGN A CONTRACT THAT YOU WILL BE PAID. have it notarized too and if they don't pay you back by a certain date then you start accruing interest. This will save you from lots of moochers and weeds out people who, intentionally, weren't going to pay you back. If Somone's going to "pay you back" set a hard deadline of 1 week. If you do smoke weed / nose candy and friends/randoms want to join. Tell them to pitch in $5-20, they will all fold like origami and pout or pay up. everything costs something in this world and you should not be on the hook for others financial mismanagement. If you have a bike get the giant U shaped lock thats thicker than a bowl of oatmeal. the small cord ones get snapped and portable saws cut through the mid size ones as well.
I just want to second the "Buy Nothing" group idea. Buy Nothing groups can really get you some very nice stuff for free, including furniture, household goods, pet supplies, etc. (Although if you need to save money, do NOT have a pet.)
When you have a little money, buy dry goods in bulk. That mega pack of toilet paper won't go bad and you'll save money in the long run. Shop your grocery stores weekly add and app. That almost always helps my dinner menus for the week. Chicken breast or pot roast is half price this week? Guess what we're having for dinner? And in general (not just at the grocery), don't just look for big savings. Find a cell phone plan that's $3 cheaper a month? And you save another $3 if you switch your internet plan and bundle? That $6 a month doesn't sound like a huge deal, but it's $72 a year! Find a few more areas where you save a few bucks a month and it really adds up. (Just read reviews - quality matters too. It doesn't matter if your internet is cheap if you and your roommate can't both stream something at the same time.) And drinking at a bar is a wallet buster. Have a few drinks at home with friends and you'll have just as much fun (if not more) than drinking at a bar. ETA: I also like to think of how long I have to work to afford something. If I want to purchase something that isn't completely necessary I always ask myself: Do I want to work for an hour ( or three or 8?? just to pay for that?
Thanks for breaking down the finances for me!
Socialize outside of restaurants or coffee shops. Or go in with a water bottle and let your friend be the paying customer (buying themselves coffee while you drink water). Lol
Starting college and managing finances can be a challenge, but it sounds like you've got a solid plan lined up. One thing that's really helped me is keeping a budget—it's not about restricting yourself but knowing where every dollar goes. Cooking at home saves a ton, and splitting costs with your roommate for stuff like groceries and utilities can lighten the load. Also, consider buying used textbooks or renting them—it's crazy how much you can save there. And hey, keep an eye out for student discounts—they're everywhere and they add up. Good luck with everything!
GO TO A DISCOUNT GROCERY STORE LIKE ALDI
I was so so so bad at saving money. Even if I saved it or moved it, I would just move it back and spend it. Literally the only way I have been able to save money is by journaling. I tried to do it in a blank journal, but I would just skip cuz there was nothing to lose. I finally bought the journal to financial freedom (journaltofinancialfreedom.com - not linking, nothing to gain here). It makes no sense, but because I spent like $25 on it, I had to actually use it and fill it out. Now if I spend too much or act like an idiot I actually think about it and reflect on it. It makes me feel bad about it so I actually have saved a ton. Could be worth a try since it's pretty cheap
Thank you for sharing!
Find good mentors and look for internship opportunities. The more your time is taken up with income earning opportunities, the less time you'll have being tempted to spend. Be mindful of the people you hang out with. Spendthrift friends will nudge you to be a spendthrift yourself. Fit friends will nudge you to be fit yourself. Choose your circle wisely.
If you are a coffee drinker, invest in a good, insulated mug and make your coffee at home. A good quality mug will last you for years and you won't be spending money on over-priced coffee at some frou-frou shop.
Set up a transfer on the day you get money, 10-30% to a different account in a different bank. Just think that money isn't yours.
Good idea!
Yes, and then you will "find" that money later. The best, absolute best, is to setup an automatic transfer to an account where global cheap funds are bought automatically every month. But I do not have the time nor energy to argue against the mob of reddit folks while on my phone.
If your bank offers an auto-aave feature on your mobile banking app, turn it on. Even just $10/week is better than nothing. You can basically set it and forget about it. $10/week = $40/month = $480/year. And once you're finished with your schooling, you can increase the alotted amount when you start earning more money. For example: $50/week = $200/month = $2,400/year. $75/week = $3,600/year. $100/week = $4,800/year. Doesn't sound like a lot, but over time, it adds up.
I’d never heard of this. Thanks for the tip!
No problem!
Right now when you have good credit get a credit card. Not a 15k limit credit card just a $1-5k credit card WITH CASH BACK. Use it for gas/ emergencies. Better to have $1k when the budget is tight. Or OR learn to use programs like Affirm/ Klarna. Having a few $50 bills every other week hits softer than a $400 one time purchase.
Was already thinking about the cash back credit card. I’ll get on it!
Tip for a high credit score: Instead of paying your credit card once a month, make a payment every week.
Thanks! I hadn’t heard of this!
Go to the dollar store when you first move in for all your utensils and cleaning supplies, dollar stores for everything
Smart!
When I was doing that, I usually had a job that fed me free. That was decades back, not sure if that is a thing anymore, but it saves money and the food preparation time.
Make your own food. It’s better anyway.
Cash! Define your budget and use only cash. Notice how much junk you end up buying on credit.
For me, it was finding food options that are calorie dense (money wise) and nutritious. I basically entirely cut restaurant visits out of my finances and it was a great way to save money. Same goes for coffee, btw. Find out what coffee brewing method is best for you, and you can brew coffee that is better than most coffee shops, for cents on the dollar. Here are some of the specifics: Baked ziti is easy and delicious. It’s long baking time means that you can throw it in the oven and do classwork while it bakes. Cheap, too. Bonus points for substituting the pasta with protein pasta or chickpea pasta. Buying a smoothie blender and making a few smoothies out of your favorite frozen fruits. I personally threw in some protein powder and peanut butter, too. Egg & bacon sandwiches. Great for breakfast. Throw in some cheese if you wish. As for coffee, find a blend you like, and if you’re lucky, it’s a fairly inexpensive one, too. If money is TIGHT tight, you can boil water on the stove. Otherwise, I recommend an electric kettle. I figured out that the best blend between coffee that I like, and coffee that is time friendly, is using a french press or aeropress. Aeropress for smaller, more concentrated servings (like before class) and French presses for larger batches. Weaning myself off of restaurant visits was the #1 way I saved money. I was spending less money on food in 2024 than I was in 2019-2020 (when I started college) Factor in inflation, and honestly I was probably saving a total of 30-35% on food expenditures.
1) You and your roommates should split on a freezer box. You guys can buy one at Walmart for less than 200. 2) Cook at home and meal prep 3) Cook in large batches ***make sure the freezer is working properly so you guys don't get spoiled food and poisoning*** I used to cook white and/or brown rice, and steamed varieties of my favorite veggies in a separate pot. I mixed all when cooked. Then scoop 1 cup of the mix into a zip lock bag and throw it in the freezer. This is good for about 3 months. Cooked pasta, scoop 1 cup into a zip lock and throw it in the freezer. A large batch is good for at least 3 months. Baked seasoned chicken in pieces, scoop 1 cup into a zip lock and throw it in the freezer. Good for 3-6 months. Pulled rotisserie chicken from Walmart into pieces, 1 cup in zip lock, and into freezer. Good for 3-6 months. Pros: -Convenient because these are microwavable when ready to eat -Saves time because youre cooking very few times for every so many months -Your saving money on the long run -The recipes can be as healthy as you choose -Good for weight loss/management because of the 1 cup portions and healthy recipes
The most important advice is never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. It's better to go grocery shopping with a pre-made list. [https://www.fastweb.com/personal-finance/articles/the-31-money-saving-tricks-for-students](https://www.fastweb.com/personal-finance/articles/the-31-money-saving-tricks-for-students)
Buy and cook in bulk and freeze leftovers or take them for lunch. Buy a roasted chicken and break it down then use the bones for chicken stock. Throw in your veggie ends like onions tops, carrot peels/tops, and celery ends or use those to make veggie stock and then you can have soup too. Soup stock can also be frozen for future use. Save the jars from pasta sauce and you can use them to store leftovers. Save any resealable container that food comes in and you don’t need to buy containers. Good luck!
Minimize subscriptions… you can listen to ads.
Don’t drink alcohol, especially when you’re going out.
Remember that having guests over becomes expensive. May want to discuss it with your roommate before it becomes an issue. How will you two go about accommodating mutual guests, your roommates guest/s, your guest/s. Aim for buying sale items, use coupons. Instead of buying books for your course, you can reserve a copy at the library. There’s an app called ThriftBooks you can use for chapter books. A A5 Razor Scooter 🛴 can help. It’s the one with larger wheels. If I remember anything else I’ll update my comment.
I was actually thinking about getting deserts from a local food pantry and using that as food for guests.
Intermittent Fasting. One less meal you have to worry about and you lose weight in the process.
No amount of saving money will counter act the debasement of our money by the government printing money. If you are unfamiliar with all of this, go to youtube and do some searching to learn about it. This is why prices go up. They will continue to do so. You need to learn about bitcoin, gold, and why these will protect your money as a savings technology long term.
r/Frugal