Seven Ways College Students Waste Money
Going to college is expensive, no doubt about it. Between textbooks, tuition, housing, utilities, and maintaining a social life, managing your money can be challenging. So, here are a few habits to avoid if you want to save more of your money.
1. Buy new textbooks
College textbook prices have increased faster than tuition, healthcare costs, housing prices, and inflation. You can cut this expense by buying used books online through Amazon or Half Price Books or renting through sites like Chegg, Campus Book Rentals or Campus Books.
2. Carry a credit card balance
If you use a credit card, only charge what you’re able to pay off in full each month. If you’re already carrying a balance, consider transferring the balance to a credit card with a lower interest rate and no or low annual fees. Louisiana USA offers a credit card with low rates, no annual fees and points that never expire.
3. Go out to eat
If you spend on average $6 for breakfast daily and $12 on lunch or dinner, you will fork out $90 for 5 days of food. Instead, buy $90 worth of groceries and you’ll eat for a month.
4. Go to bars for fun
Drinking can be a very expensive habit. On average, college students spend $900 a year on alcohol. The cost goes up if you get hit with a ticket for drinking underage or driving while intoxicated. Instead of going to bars, have fun inexpensively by going to student union events, bowling, or cooking dinner with friends.
5. Own a vehicle
If you live on or near campus, having a car is a needless expense. By avoiding monthly car and insurance payments, parking fees, as well as gas and maintenance expenses, you’ll save over $20,000 during your 4 years at college. Consider using public transportation, getting a bicycle, or walking. And if a car is a necessity, consider a safe, late-model, used car financed with a credit union car loan.
Louisiana USA specializes in the financing of your vehicle. We offer low interest rates and competitive terms to meet your needs.
Our lending department can walk you through the process from beginning to end. We offer exceptional rates for GAP, warranty, and debt protection along with flexible payment options. Whether you are purchasing or refinancing, our lending department wants to help you today!
6. Buy a daily latte
A latte at $4 a day adds an extra $120 to your monthly expenses. Instead, buy a coffeemaker, a pound of coffee, and a travel mug and you’ll be able to brew a month’s worth of coffee for a fraction of that cost.
7. Live alone
Save on housing and utility costs by sharing an apartment with a couple of friends.
