Find out how to save money when you go to university

Going to college can be very exciting, but it can also be very costly, so we always need ways to save money when going to college. college.

Even if you are not financially responsible for college expenses, you may still need money to cover other expenses such as housing, if you are in another city or state, food and study materials.

At this crucial stage in life, learning to manage money effectively is essential to avoid excessive debt and ensure financial stability in the future.

Let's look at some tips that can help you explore smart strategies to save money for college. These tips will provide you with tools and ways to manage your finances responsibly.

Learn how to save money when going to college

Learning how to save money when going to college is important so that you can focus on having one of the best experiences of your life, while still studying for your future.

Many people rely on their parents to help pay their college tuition, but many young people also end up moving to another city or even state to study.

And during this change of routine, and even of cities or states, many expenses may be involved, which even with the help of parents will demand greater responsibility in saving money when entering college.

So let's look at some tips on how you can save on food, housing, study materials, transportation, and other personal expenses that you may encounter during your university years.

Come with us:

1 – Look for affordable housing

Many students start college as soon as they turn 18, and if you need to move to another state or city to take your course, you may need to live alone, which is usually a big change in routine.

If this is what you’re going to end up going through when you start college, we have some tips for finding affordable housing. You might consider living with friends who can share the cost of rent and bills.

Another good option is to look for student housing, which usually brings together students from the same college who had to move in order to study.

Evaluate different alternatives and choose the one that best fits your budget, prioritizing more affordable rentals.

2 – Create a budget

Create a budget so you can understand how much you can spend each month and what your income is. This will help you better understand what your financial habits may be.

You may use application tools such as Pocket Guide, or Google Sheets, so you can keep track of your finances.

3 – Prioritize needs

When we are away from our parents, we end up relaxing a little, and this involves our finances. Away from the watchful eyes of our parents, it is possible that we prioritize purchases that are not so necessary in favor of others.

So, take control of your money, prioritizing your basic needs for food, transportation, college supplies and health needs.

Avoid overspending on luxury or unnecessary items and focus on what is essential to save money.

4 – Research and compare prices

One tip for saving money when entering college, and even after your college life, is to research and compare prices before finalizing a purchase.

So search online and go to different stores to compare prices, this allows you to find discounts and offers that can help you save a certain amount of money.

5 – Opt for economical transportation options

If you live far from your college, avoid taking Ubers. At the end of the month, an Uber that costs less than R$10 can end up costing more than R$200 or even R$500.

As a university student, you can take advantage of your tuition benefits. It is difficult to find cities that do not offer the benefit of paying half the bus fare to their students.

So, find out from the transport provider in the city where you will study if this program is available, and pay half the price of the tickets.

But if you want other economical transportation options, look into getting a bicycle, to stay healthy and still get to your destination.

Or, plan shared rides with your friends, with a rotating driver system that works for everyone.

6 – Take advantage of promotions and discounts in supermarkets

To save money on your food, always keep an eye out for discounts and offers announced by supermarkets.

Some markets even have rewards programs that you can join to save money when you go to college.

Another way to take advantage of discounts is iFood, depending on the amount of things you are going to buy and the amount you will spend, you can use discounts and save even more through the app.

7 – Buy second-hand books

One of the best tips for saving money when going to college, and even during school, is to buy second-hand books.

Many people don't like buying used or second-hand items, but this is a way to save money and still get access to what you need for your college classes.

Look for secondhand books at local bookstores, online stores, or college book fairs to save money on textbooks.

Be sure to check the condition, whether it is scratched, torn or has all the pages.

8 – Share books with friends

Share books and materials with classmates or friends to reduce the cost of purchasing teaching materials. This allows you to split the costs and save money.

You can even buy together to reduce the amount you will pay for the materials you need.

9 – Use the college library

And of course, don't forget to make the most of your college library. This is an opportunity to save money and borrow books.

Colleges often have a large collection of not only books, but also a variety of study materials.

Use the library to borrow needed books and materials instead of buying them, saving money.

With these tips, you will have a much easier time saving money during your several years of college and still live the best of the college experience.