You’re in college. Money is tight. We get it!
Juggling classes and extracurricular activities is enough to make your head spin. Throwing budgeting and money saving methods into the mix doesn’t have to be intimidating. Along with tried-and-true money-saving strategies, today’s tech makes it easier to save money, make money, and create a budget!
Use campus resources
The campus library is your friend! Remember them for your academic and entertainment needs. They have movies and books to check out. Just remember to return them on time! 😉
If you are a TRiO/Student Support Services participant (yay!), please know that we offer planners, notebooks, pens, folders and other basic supplies so you don’t have to make that Dollar Store dash in the pouring rain.
Keep informed about campus events! Each week Student Life sends out a “This Week at OCU” email highlighting free campus events including intramural activities.
Maximize Apps
If you only have room on your phone for one money-saving app, make it Ibotta ( https://home.ibotta.com/ ). Even if you’re on a meal plan and don’t grocery shop often, the app rewards a percentage back on certain online purchases (e.g., Amazon.com) if you begin shopping through the app.
Crowdtap.com is a website (and recently an app) where you can earn gift cards to popular retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Sephora by completing short surveys and polls.
Budgeting Tools
Whether you use the envelope method (read about it here: https://www.moneyunder30.com/envelope-method ) or a popular budgeting app like Mint ( https://www.mint.com/ ), budgeting is a skill that benefits you for a lifetime.
Here is a helpful article about budgeting in college: bit.ly/2qAriUe
Hope these tips are helpful for you! Be sure to come see us in SLC 108! ~TRiO Staff
Student Support Services S.T.A.R Blog 