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You don’t have to eat ramen noodle packets every day to save money as a student. There are better ways that you can save money while you’re at college that won’t have a negative impact on your health. 

Start Budgeting ASAP

One surefire way to save more money is to set up a budget. A budget will show you exactly how much you have and where it needs to go. That simple financial guide can keep you from going overboard with your shopping and emptying your pockets before the month is over. Download one of the top budgeting apps on your smartphone so that you can bring your budget with you everywhere.

Don’t make your budget too tight. You should always try to leave some money untouched, just in case you get a bigger bill than usual or need to cover an emergency expense. It’s always good to be prepared.

If an emergency happens and you don’t have enough savings to cover it, you can put the cost on your credit card. Or, if you don’t want to use your card, you can look for personal loans in Florida to help you recover from your emergency. You can use the personal loan to handle the urgent costs right away and then manage the repayments later. 

Only turn to these options when you absolutely have to. They’re best used for emergencies — not for casual spending.

Use Your Student Status

As a student, you can get discounts and reduced fees at tech stores, clothes stores, restaurant chains and cafes. All you need to do is carry around your student ID as proof. You can trim your essential costs down by flashing this plastic card.

If you’re planning on opening up a new bank account, bring up your student status. Most banks have specialized account options for college students. These accounts tend to have low fees and no minimum balance. 

Embrace Coupons 

When your student card can’t lower your shopping bills, try coupons. You’d be surprised by how much you can save whenever you grab your groceries for the week or restock the toiletries in your bathroom. Look up popular online couponing services and find all of the digital coupons and promo codes that you could possibly need. 

Use Libraries

Your college library can help you save lots of money. Print all of your school papers in the library and save yourself the costs of printers, papers and ink. You can rent laptops, phones, video cameras and more essential tech there. So, if you’ve lost your equipment or it’s not in top condition, you don’t have to empty your wallet to get replacements. 

Take advantage of the free WiFi and open tables anytime that you need a study space. It will be much easier to do your research and finish your homework in this quiet sanctuary than in a packed coffee shop — and it will be cheaper, too. 

The best thing about these tips is that they’re so easy to follow. You can download budgeting and couponing apps on your phone right now. You can stick your student ID in your wallet. And you can stroll to the library on campus whenever you feel like it. Easy!