There are many little things that can help you save some money on the side. I would say it is a fair guess to say most people probably have smart phones nowadays. Aside from all the games, there are actually some great helpful apps out there. For instance I have an IPhone and my favorite app is Gas Buddy. All you have to do is type in your zip code and it gives you an up to date report on where the cheapest gas in town is. It is usually only cheaper by a few cents, but that can really add up in the long run.
Another app floating around out there is called SmartyPig, which lets you create virtual piggy banks connected to your checking account. Every month it tranfers money to your piggies, such as Christmas fund, or college. You get to watch your piggies fill up as they get closer to your goal.
We are college kids of course, and I bet we all like to shop at places like the mall, and big retail stores. I dont know about you guys, but I personally have tons of reward cards on my key ring that give me discounts everywhere from dillons to Abercrombie. There are even some apps to lighten your key chain. I persoanlly think rewards cards are great if your a frequent shopper. So apps like KeyRing and CardStar can take your rewards from your key ring to your cell, which means you wont have to worry about losing them or forgetting them. Every little discount helps.
Barcode Scanner is another one of my favorites, all you have to do is scan a barcode on any product and it can compare online and local prices so you know if your getting the best deal. Makes it way easier to shop around for sure.
I dont know if any of you have ever heard of Foursquare, but its an app to check in places, similar to checking in on facebook. A little known fact about this app is some restaurants will reward you for checking in. It is free publicity for them, and either a discount or a free appetizer for you.
Another absolutely amazing app is Coupon Sherpa, its extreme couponing without carrying a duffle bag of coupons. It has hundreds to choose from and it keeps you from paying full price on a lot of simple things!
Apps have made a lot of things easier, and you can use them for a lot more than playing games. There are tons of apps out there that can help you save money, you ust ahve to find them. Another big advantage is that most of these I mentioned are free. Here is a website with some more apps to try out! Download and save!
http://money.cnn.com/2012/06/15/pf/shopping-app.moneymag/index.htm
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Using Financial Aid to your Advantage
Financial aid is a great thing for students. Yes, most of it goes to the school, but if you know what your doing you could have some spending money for the semester. One great way to help with getting the most out of your financial aid is to be aware of costs at your school of choice. I know at Washburn everyone wants to live in the LLC, which is the nicest dormitory on campus. Most students here dont know that by living in one of the less popular, Kuehne or West, yet newly remodeled buildings you save almost 300 dollars. So being aware of that sort of thing can really help.
Another thing on campus to be thouroughly aware of is the meal plans. The most expensive meal plan isnt always what you need, some include way more meals a week than you need, and you can usually have no problem staying within budget on the smaller one. which can also save you hundreds of dollars.
Saving a couple hundred dollars here and there will suprise you on how much you are eligible for your refund. Some kids can get up to almost 3,000 dollars back from financial aid. When you get this much back there are two main options. You can keep the money, or you can lower your loans so you wont owe as much back. If you pay your loans back thats great, but I would suggest keeping a little to get things you need.
If you keep the money I suggest you go put it in the bank and divide it into how much you can spend each month for the duration of the semester. That way you will have a monthly allowance to spend on things you need or want, and it will last until the end of semester.
Another thing on campus to be thouroughly aware of is the meal plans. The most expensive meal plan isnt always what you need, some include way more meals a week than you need, and you can usually have no problem staying within budget on the smaller one. which can also save you hundreds of dollars.
Saving a couple hundred dollars here and there will suprise you on how much you are eligible for your refund. Some kids can get up to almost 3,000 dollars back from financial aid. When you get this much back there are two main options. You can keep the money, or you can lower your loans so you wont owe as much back. If you pay your loans back thats great, but I would suggest keeping a little to get things you need.
If you keep the money I suggest you go put it in the bank and divide it into how much you can spend each month for the duration of the semester. That way you will have a monthly allowance to spend on things you need or want, and it will last until the end of semester.
Banking Accounts for Students
Almost everyone these days carries a debit card, cash seems to be pretty rare. This means that almost everyone has at least a checking account. Checking accounts require responsibilty, but if you know how you can use banking to your advantage. Most banks currently offer special checking and savings accounts just for students.
I currently have a Bank of America checking account. I think its super convenient, because these banks are everywhere I even have acess when I go home. Now at Bank of America they offer student checking accounts, as do many other banks. Most student checking accounts offer these convenient services. There is no minimum balance requirement, so you dont have to worry about maintaining a minimum balance which is good when your broke. Many banks also have mobile banking apps now which allow you to check your balance and pay bills from anywhere. At Bank of America to avoid monthly account fees you can sign up to go paperless, which just means you get your statements online which works well for me. Many banks also have text alerts services, which in this generation texting makes everything easier. Bank of America also has some options for cash back if you use your debit card certain places, like red box or dillons.
Savings accounts also have some student benefits if you find the right kind. Bank of America has a student savings program thats called keep the change. They round up each of your purchases to the next dollar and put that difference in your account, so you can end up making some great money.
Now I'm not saying that Bank of America is the best, in fact many banks offer student solutions now. Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Schwab, Citizens Bank, Citibank, and many others do also. Most of the benefits are the same for all. Student checking accounts can help you be more responsible with your money, and can help you manage it. Student banking accounts are a great way to avoid over-drafts in college and ruin your credit history.
I currently have a Bank of America checking account. I think its super convenient, because these banks are everywhere I even have acess when I go home. Now at Bank of America they offer student checking accounts, as do many other banks. Most student checking accounts offer these convenient services. There is no minimum balance requirement, so you dont have to worry about maintaining a minimum balance which is good when your broke. Many banks also have mobile banking apps now which allow you to check your balance and pay bills from anywhere. At Bank of America to avoid monthly account fees you can sign up to go paperless, which just means you get your statements online which works well for me. Many banks also have text alerts services, which in this generation texting makes everything easier. Bank of America also has some options for cash back if you use your debit card certain places, like red box or dillons.
Savings accounts also have some student benefits if you find the right kind. Bank of America has a student savings program thats called keep the change. They round up each of your purchases to the next dollar and put that difference in your account, so you can end up making some great money.
Now I'm not saying that Bank of America is the best, in fact many banks offer student solutions now. Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Schwab, Citizens Bank, Citibank, and many others do also. Most of the benefits are the same for all. Student checking accounts can help you be more responsible with your money, and can help you manage it. Student banking accounts are a great way to avoid over-drafts in college and ruin your credit history.
How to Eat at a Low Cost
College kids tend to have big appetites and empty wallets, suprisingly there are tons of ways to eat cheap while in college! For one, the schoole cafeteria is usually run on some sort of meal plan, especially to on campus residents, so since your already paying for it you should definitely utilize it.
Most college kids like to go eat out as much as possible, there are a lot of smart choices that wont break your bank. For those nights when your craving pizza in your dorm you might try Little Ceasars, they have "Hot n' Ready," pizzas and they are only $5, just go in and they are ready to take home and enjoy. Cici's pizza however is the best option if you want to eat out for the night. They are an all you can eat buffet for pizza, pasta, and dessert. The cost including drink is about $6, but if you can remember your student id then you get a discount of $1.34! They also take requests, so they will make ya almost any pizza you want.
For bugers theres of course many cheap eats. For Topeka students like myself, BoBo's is always a classic burger joint, and they have pretty cheap prices. Its a drive-in and you kind of get a 50's or 60's feel when you eat there. Also for students in Topeka like myself, you need to check out the Burger Stand. They give a 10% discount to Washburn students and have a ping pong bar in the back. You get good food and a cool place to hang out, plus its only about a block from campus!
Of course in almost every town you have the basics in fast food, such as McDonalds, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Arby's.
Most college kids like to go eat out as much as possible, there are a lot of smart choices that wont break your bank. For those nights when your craving pizza in your dorm you might try Little Ceasars, they have "Hot n' Ready," pizzas and they are only $5, just go in and they are ready to take home and enjoy. Cici's pizza however is the best option if you want to eat out for the night. They are an all you can eat buffet for pizza, pasta, and dessert. The cost including drink is about $6, but if you can remember your student id then you get a discount of $1.34! They also take requests, so they will make ya almost any pizza you want.
For bugers theres of course many cheap eats. For Topeka students like myself, BoBo's is always a classic burger joint, and they have pretty cheap prices. Its a drive-in and you kind of get a 50's or 60's feel when you eat there. Also for students in Topeka like myself, you need to check out the Burger Stand. They give a 10% discount to Washburn students and have a ping pong bar in the back. You get good food and a cool place to hang out, plus its only about a block from campus!
Of course in almost every town you have the basics in fast food, such as McDonalds, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Arby's.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Holding a Job while being a Full Time Student
Being a full time college kid can be hard, with studying, homework, and classes. I know a lot of people who think that being a college kid makes it impossible to have any time for a job. The truth is, you can either work during school and use time management, or you can whine about being broke and have "boredom."
I have noticed that tons of businesses, especially in college towns, not only hire college students but work with their schedules very well. Most job applications will ask you for your hours of availibility. This is where you need to learn to balance your time. If you have any night classes dont try to work before them, that would be a good night to say you cant work period. Make sure you always allow yourself time to study, dont get out of classes at 3 and say you can work from 330 to 12. You need homework/study time, and you dont want to overload yourself. Maybe work one or two nights a week and then stick to weekends. Maybe even get Sunday nights off so you have that time for your weekend homework. The thing about most of us college kids is, even if we do have enough homework to last us a whole day, we arent likely going to actually sit down and do it in one day.
College kids want lives like any of the rest of us, and sometimes the anti-job argument is that they wont have time to go do things with friends. I would argue that if you actually want to go do anything while you are with your friends you will probably need some money. Now, getting a part-time job and working 12 hours a week isnt going to make you rich, but you will definitely have some cash to spend on things like food and gas.
When applying for a job, just make sure you tel them that you are a full time student first thing, they will know that your schedule will require some flexibility. Not everyone can handle the stress of being a student and working, so if it gets to be too much, or your school work starts to suffer, you may just have to quit because youneed to focus on your studies. Always remember you are a student before anything, so make your schoolwork your first priority. It is also smart to take finals week off of work, you will be plenty stressed already and will need every spare minute to study.
It is possible to be a full-time student and have a part-time job at the same time, but it takes a very determined person who is good at time managment. A lot of employers will uderstand your schedule if you just talk to them, and they are probably used to having college kids that only work during the school year. Havings a job in college also boosts your resume.
Another option and amybe the best is an on campus job, no one will work with your school schedule better than the school itself. Colleges usually hire students to do a variety of things like be campus tour guides, or work as desk assistants in the offices.
Here is a great website with some job suggestions for students, feel free to check it out!
http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2010/12/13/10-paying-college-jobs-that-look-good-on-your-rsum
I have noticed that tons of businesses, especially in college towns, not only hire college students but work with their schedules very well. Most job applications will ask you for your hours of availibility. This is where you need to learn to balance your time. If you have any night classes dont try to work before them, that would be a good night to say you cant work period. Make sure you always allow yourself time to study, dont get out of classes at 3 and say you can work from 330 to 12. You need homework/study time, and you dont want to overload yourself. Maybe work one or two nights a week and then stick to weekends. Maybe even get Sunday nights off so you have that time for your weekend homework. The thing about most of us college kids is, even if we do have enough homework to last us a whole day, we arent likely going to actually sit down and do it in one day.
College kids want lives like any of the rest of us, and sometimes the anti-job argument is that they wont have time to go do things with friends. I would argue that if you actually want to go do anything while you are with your friends you will probably need some money. Now, getting a part-time job and working 12 hours a week isnt going to make you rich, but you will definitely have some cash to spend on things like food and gas.
When applying for a job, just make sure you tel them that you are a full time student first thing, they will know that your schedule will require some flexibility. Not everyone can handle the stress of being a student and working, so if it gets to be too much, or your school work starts to suffer, you may just have to quit because youneed to focus on your studies. Always remember you are a student before anything, so make your schoolwork your first priority. It is also smart to take finals week off of work, you will be plenty stressed already and will need every spare minute to study.
It is possible to be a full-time student and have a part-time job at the same time, but it takes a very determined person who is good at time managment. A lot of employers will uderstand your schedule if you just talk to them, and they are probably used to having college kids that only work during the school year. Havings a job in college also boosts your resume.
Another option and amybe the best is an on campus job, no one will work with your school schedule better than the school itself. Colleges usually hire students to do a variety of things like be campus tour guides, or work as desk assistants in the offices.
Here is a great website with some job suggestions for students, feel free to check it out!
http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2010/12/13/10-paying-college-jobs-that-look-good-on-your-rsum
Good Luck!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Introduction!
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| Image Courtesy of http://guyism.com/lifestyle/things-you-did-in-college-that-you-cant-do-as-an-adult.html/attachment/ramen-noodles |
In this blog I am going to supply weekly tips on how to have some money during those brutal college years. I will tell you not only how to manage your money better, but even to maybe make some while being a full time student. I personally feel that money management is a hard thing to master while worrying about classes, homework, and grades, but fear not, for it can be done! I'm not going to tell you how to pick winning lottery numbers, or strike gold. I'm going to give you some small saving tips that in the end will make a big difference!
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