Remember that one time you spent four years living with roommates, studying around the clock and eating microwaved ramen?
While pinching pennies as a 20- or 30-something, maybe it hit you: You could save a lot by returning to that frugal student lifestyle. When you look at old bank statements from those school years, you might marvel at how little was spent on, well, everything.
But you dont have to return to dorm life to save money. Just tackling your financial goals with a scrappy college student mindset may be enough.
SPLURGE SELECTIVELY
While attending Rice University, Kay Rodriguez, now 25, lived frugally so she could spend on what mattered to her: travel.
Travel is sort of my big splurge whenever I make one, says Rodriguez, of Washington, D.C., who founded the travel blog Jetfarer. In college, she set up a high-yield savings account specifically for saving for travel . She also spent less on other items, such as dining and entertainment.
Today, Rodriguez is still selective about how she spends her money and it pays off. For example, she says, When my friends want to invite me out to a really expensive bar or a really expensive restaurant, I eat a pretty substantial meal at home first, and then I order something at the restaurant thats a little cheaper. That way, she gets to enjoy time out with friends, but still keeps her spending in check.
COMPARISON SHOP FINANCIAL PRODUCTS
Next time youre choosing a financial product, such as a credit card, loan or bank account, consider your options like a college student deciding which snack to buy at the grocery store. That is, do some comparison shopping.
If your bank account charges you a monthly maintenance fee, for example, see if you can get it waived. If not, switch to an account that doesnt charge this fee. Paying for car insurance? Gather quotes from other insurance providers and see if you can find a lower rate. And if youre paying off a high-interest credit card, try moving your balance to a card with an introductory zero percent balance transfer APR to eliminate that debt interest-free.
SPLIT THE BILLS
If you need to radically trim expenses, finding a roommate could be your best bet.
Its so much easier if you dont have to pay for every single thing. You can split bills, split rent, split everything, says Amanda Cross, 25, founder of The Happy Arkansan, a lifestyle blog for college women. Based in Forrest City, Arkansas, Cross writes about how to cut costs in college , among other topics. She lived with roommates while attending the University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas State University.
If going halfsies on your rent isnt an option, you still might be able to split some costs by, say, shopping for essentials in bulk with your friends or relatives and dividing the expense.
PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE, PRIORITIZE
