We get it--you're living on a tight budget. So when we presented 10 incredibly easy ways to save money in college last month, it's no surprise that they were incredibly popular. So in order to help you out even more, we've put our brains together to come up with another 10 ways you might not have thought of to keep your hard-earned money safely in your bank account. Check out our list of ideas, and comment at the end with yours!
1. If you're going out, look for Happy Hours and After Work Specials
Here in Boston, Happy Hours are technically illegal because Massachusetts doesn't allow sales on discounted alcohol, but that doesn't stop me and my friends from scrounging the city for discounted food and drink deals. You're in college--going out with friends is important and incredibly common at our age. If you don't want to skip on bonding with your friends, suggest heading to a place that offers half price appetizers or discounted drinks between certain hours. From big chains like P.F. Chang's and McCormick & Schmick's to local pubs and bars, you're bound to find at least one place that'll let you eat and drink for cheap.
"'Wing nights' are perfect for going out and saving money," says Katie Bryant, a recent Northeastern University graduate. "The 'wing night' my friends and I usually go to is at Penguin Pizza on Monday nights. It's 15 cent wings so you can get 10 wings and a drink for less than $7!"
2. Brown bag your lunch
In our last list of suggestions, we suggested cooking as one way to save money. That is definitely still true--for proof, check out our story on how to make 21 meals with $60! We know, it's so much easier to say, "Oh, I'll just buy my lunch!" but the money you're spending every afternoon really adds up. If lunch is $10 a day, that's $50 a week you could easily be saving! So take cooking one step further and make a little extra the night before so you can bring your leftovers for lunch the next day. Throwing ravioli on to boil? Double the amount you're making and stick it in a Tupperware for next time. Making chicken? Defrost two pieces and cook the second while you're at it. There's very little extra preparation required, and you've got an easy meal for the next day.
"I do a lot of cooking on the weekend to prepare for the week's lunches," notes Jacqueline Findra, a recent Northeastern University graduate. "I'll make a big batch of something like soup and freeze half of it to bring out at a moment's notice. Freezing meals is perfect even for dinner when you get home from work, are exhausted and don't feel like cooking."
3. Go for the generic brands
At every drugstore and grocery store across the country, the shelves are stacked with all the name brand items you immediately recognize. Right next to them is usually the store brand version, often $1 or $2 cheaper, made with exactly the same things. Compare the boxes--if it's a medication, check the active ingredients and if it's a food look at nutritional facts and servings. Often, these products are nearly identical, and you can easily save a ton of cash if you purchase the non-name brand item!