Saving Money for Students

There are hundreds of thousands of quick tips out there to cut your costs and save money - no more Starbucks, bring your lunch to work, and so on. If you're like me, you've heard them all before and you've tried them all and you're still living paycheck to paycheck. Although on their own, these tips may not make you a millionaire, applying as many as you can to your daily life can really add up.

1) GET A JOB.
And not just any job - find a job with perks! Working at a restaurant not only provides tips, but most will offer you a free meal - working three days a week means three meals you don't have to buy! Plus, you often get 50% off when you're not on shift, so although you may tire of the same food everyday, it can really cut down your food costs. Consider working at a favorite clothing store (although be warned - many expect you to dress in their clothes, and prefer the newest styles, which can add up) to reduce the amount you spend on clothes. If you're like me and love going to the movies, get a part time job at the local movie theatre. Free movies and popcorn...what could be better?

2) SAVE YOUR TIPS.
This isn't always applicable to servers or bartenders, who make most of their income in tips, However, if you work at a fast food joint or somewhere where you make minimal tips (I make between $20-40 a week, for example), save them. Every time. It's SO easy to stop at the store on your way home to pick up junk food, or to stop for a beer after work and use your tips to pay, but I promise, they do add up and it can make a big difference! I save all my tips in an envelope and once a week, count them, deposit them and send them to my credit card. I do this in addition to my regular payments, and honestly, watching it go down is so much more satisfying than a post-work Starbucks.