5 Money Saving Tips for Students

With a student card you can get discounts on everything from train tickets to movie passes.

As the economy continues to recover, many people are still living pay cheque to pay cheque. However, if you’re a student, you may not have that option. You may not even have a pay cheque to look forward to.

The good news is there are a few places you can tighten your belt, without having to suck in too much. Take a good look at your time and your resources, and see if you have room to implement a few of these changes.

Save Your Money

1) Get a part-time job

There is no substitute for more income. Take an honest look at your schedule and see if you have time to pick up a few shifts somewhere. If you simply don’t have time for a job, don’t sweat it. You can find other ways to earn more income by finding alternative forms of employment.

2) Party smarter

Are your “entertainment” expenses too high? A night out with friends can be a great de-stressor, but also adds up in a hurry, with cover charge, inflated drink prices, cabs, and coat checks. You can save money by finding more house parties. Or try having a few cheaper drinks at home before you go out, then show up to the bar later.

3) Brown Bag it

Eating out every lunch may cost more than you think. Doing groceries once a week and packing a lunch can save you a lot of money in the long run.

4) Look for the student discount

Students get discounts on everything from train tickets to movie tickets. Take full advantage. You’ve probably heard of SPC cards, but you may not realize how much they save you while you study.

5) Make a budget and allow it to change

You have hopefully already made a budget for the year, but you might have started to deviate from it. It happens. Don’t treat your budget as written in stone, but stay aware of it. Your expenses may change, so make sure your budget changes with it. The important thing is you’re watching your money go in and out, so you’re prepared when “surprise” expenses come up.