We all hear those stories about college students being poor and unable to actually afford stuff. We hear stories about people in college facing rising student debt taking years to pay off and graduating during shaky economic times, but the truth is you don’t have to let the “poor student” stereotype identify you. If you’re interested in improving your financial well-being in college, check out a few of these tips below.
Seek Out Scholarships
One of the greatest opportunities to reduce student debt is by applying for available scholarships and grants. It’s important that each year you fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine which grants and scholarships you’re eligible for. The earlier the better as usually these funds, like the Pell Grant, are limited and so are distributed on a first come first serve basis. However, there are tons of other scholarship opportunities from private companies, organizations and even the college you’re attending so be on the lookout for those prior to taking out a student loan.
Let Technology Help You Find Discounts
Student discounts are everywhere so it’s a good idea to do some compare shopping before going to checkout. Also, thanks to technology, there are tons of apps out there whose sole purpose is to help you keep money in your pocket. A few notable ones include ShopKick which allows you to find deals at major stores like Target or Macy’s and RetailMeNot which provides lists of coupons and deals available at your favorite shopping destinations. Taking advantage of these apps in addition to student discounts will surely help you defeat that poor college student stereotype.
Watch Your Habits
You may want to watch for bad financial habits you’re getting yourself into if you want to be achieve financial prosperity. For instance, using a credit card is a good idea as you’ll be able to build a solid credit history. However, it’s an even better idea to make sure you pay the balance in full each month to avoid having to pay interest and risk losing control of your debt. It’ll take a little bit of discipline, but if you can manage your credit card for a considerable length of time, that’ll make it more affordable when it comes time to purchasing a car or house.
See What Can Be Reused
You might be amazed at how you can benefit from an extended variety of reuse options when getting different products of value to you. Instead of buying plastic water bottles, purchase a water bottle and a water purification system that you can hook up to your faucet. You’ll get purified water, be more eco-friendly and save money. Also, before going shopping at a retail store, check your local thrift shop to see if there’s anything that fits your style. There are multiple everyday items that can be reused like cardboard boxes you used to move-in to your dorm room for storage or old fabrics that can be reused as cleaning cloths. The more you’re able to reuse items, the more money you’ll be able to save.
Check Out Free College Services
Colleges often provide students with free online, phone, television and other services. These are often offered on many sites on campus or even some off-campus areas that are not too far off. You might want to see how different free services can work well for your general requirements.
College is the best place to develop good personal finance habits before entering the work force. You should be certain that you stick with the right tips if you’re going to keep your money in check. Find out more money saving tips at http://easyscholarshipsnow.com.
