From paying tuition to buying textbooks and food, saving money as a student makes a world of difference. Follow these 9 great tips to make your money last!
Textbooks are expensive. With some costing around $200 you can easily spend over a thousand dollars on books if taking a full course load! You can check online sites such as Kijiji for buying used textbooks. Or check out the University of Windsor's Bookstore for information about buying and selling used textbooks.
Businesses are sympathetic to the fact that education is expensive, and that students live on a tight budget. Many companies offer student discounts of up to 10-15% on their goods and services. A lot of these companies have partnered with Student Price Card to make it easy for you to save!
You can purchase an SPC card from their website here.
Don't worry if you don't have an SPC, just be sure to always bring your student card as many stores offer discounts to students with their student card.
Let's do the math!
One $3.85 latte a day x 6 days a week for 36 weeks a year = $831! OUCH!
Coffee can seem like a minor expense but can add up quickly. Large tins of ground coffee frequently go on sale at grocery stores for less than $8. For one person that can last over a month!
Eating out, like coffee, is another expense that can add up quickly. Put on some music and have fun in the kitchen! Leanne Bron has a free online cookbook for you to eat healthy for $4 a day! (.pdf)
When visiting these discount grocery chains, compared to the other chains, you should be able to find prices that are significantly cheaper than their competitors.
Many UWindsor and external (non-institutional) scholarships go unclaimed every year. You can find more information from the UWindsor Awards and Financial Aids office, and visit sites like yconic to find awards that match your qualifications. Don't forget to be careful when applying for external awards. Never give anyone your personal banking information and don't pay for an application.
Many banks offer student chequing accounts with no monthly fees as long as you're a full-time student. Ask your bank what kind of accounts they offer for students.
Using an ATM not owned by your bank can cost as much as $4. Consider making a weekly trip to your own bank machine and taking out cash for the week. This can also help you with your budget by giving yourself a set amount of cash for spending. Alternatively, you can use a credit card if you're stuck but be sure to pay it off immediately.
Life is hectic. Especially if you're juggling a full course load and a part-time job. Apps like mint.com connect with your bank account to track your spending, allowing you to see where your money is going.