Dear Daphne,
Do you have any advice for saving money? My crippling shopping addiction has me in a chokehold and I need some help finding a good balance with my finances now that classes are back in session. Thank you in advance!
Sincerely,
Strapped For Cash
Dear Strapped For Cash,
College is expensive. Between the cost of university expenses and living expenses, there is hardly any money for anything else. That being said, there are some ways you can try to stay on top of finances.
Take advantage of what you are paying for. If you have a meal plan, use it. You are already paying for it so instead of eating out, try the dining hall. If you have a meal plan, you also have dining dollars. This can get you snacks from the vending machines on campus, or at C.J.’s convenience store in the union. The university also includes tutoring and counseling costs in the tuition. Instead of paying for help off-campus, try the university instead.
Once in a while, you’re going to need to expand your wardrobe. While buying brand-new clothes online may be appealing, check Laramie’s thrift and second-hand stores instead. NU2U and Goodwill always have different styles of clothes that are affordable for college students who are short on cash.
Look into on-campus jobs. Most students don’t look for jobs because they are so busy with classes and homework. The university has many on-campus jobs that are accommodating to student’s schedules. This is a great way to get involved in your campus, while also making some money.
Create a budget. Having a financial plan that you can depend on is really helpful. This is helpful for holding yourself accountable for your purchases. You can keep a check on how much money you need to pay for living expenses before you blow a paycheck on eating out. Remember to make a budget that you constantly keep up with, so that it’s not an added stress. This can also help you save for a big purchase, like a car.
Many students pay for at least a portion of their own college costs. If you have no way to pay for a semester’s cost all at once, consider taking out a loan or signing up for a payment plan. This allows you to pay small incriminates at a time, rather than paying it all at once.
Affording living costs on top of college expenses is hard and stressful. Just know that there are always people to help you and ways to help yourself.
Sincerely,
Daphne
