Saving money in college can be hard, especially during the holidays. Learning how to budget is not often taught and most universities do not advertise the free benefits they offer to students.
One of the biggest ways people spend money is on food. Grocery prices are rising and so are the costs of meals while eating out. One way to save money is by taking advantage of the dining halls or restaurants on campus that can be purchased using dining dollars versus coming directly from your wallet.
“I eat on campus with my dining dollars a few times a week… it definitely saves me sometimes when I’m running low on actual money,” said Shelby Savers, sophomore in wildlife pre-vet.
Auburn University has two dining halls, two snack stores (War Eagle Supply Companies) and a handful of on-campus restaurants and food trucks. Taking advantage of the supply stores to buy ingredients for those holiday treats can save a lot of money.
“If I’m running low on money I’ll use my dining dollars instead of eating out,” said Clayton Keene, senior in political science.
Another way to save money on transportation is by using Tiger Transit or the security shuttle offered by Auburn University. With high gas prices and the cost of parking increasing each year, using the Tiger Transit to get to class for off-campus residents saves money.
“I use the free resources all the time like Tiger Transit to get me to class so I don’t have to pay for parking,” said Isabella Juliao, junior in public relations.
The security shuttle runs throughout the night and transports students to places within the campus and the off-campus housing owned by the university. The security shuttle can be used after a night downtown or to safely transport students from building to building during those late-night study sessions as opposed to paying for an Uber.
“I use the security shuttle for special occasions when I can’t drive,” Keene said.
The Auburn Rec Center is another free resource to use instead of spending money on a gym membership. The Rec is an on-campus fitness center free to all Auburn students.
According to auburn.edu “The center includes two 50-foot climbing towers, a 1/3 mile indoor track, and a leisure pool.” The center also has basketball courts and a large amount of machines and weight racks. With free parking at the rec, all of the benefits included are free and saves the cost of a gym membership which can range anywhere from $10-$50 a month or more.
“I use the rec almost daily, it obviously saves me $20 for a gym membership,” Savers said.
When it comes to learning how to budget and planning ways to spend your money, it can be difficult to keep track of it all. Creating a budget plan and knowing how to save your money can help out in the long-run, especially when trying to save up to buy gifts for the holidays.
“Try to save as much as possible when you can that way you have money for special occasions,” Juliao said.
Budgeting and saving up your money ensures financial freedom to spend the extra money on Christmas presents or holiday vacations. Having someone to help with financial advice can also keep you on track.
“Get with your parents because they’ll have the best advice for managing and saving money,” Keene said.
As college students, it can be hard to be put on such a strict budget can cause panic not knowing how to manage it. Being aware of what you do and do not need will keep the money from running low after buying unnecessary items.
“The biggest thing is to live within your means. I think students struggle to manage their money because they’re used to living with their parents. It’s also good to know when you have money coming in and all of your monthly expenses,” Savers said.
Prices are skyrocketing all around, so it is extra important to know how much there is to spend and what is needed. Being able to ask for advice and finding someone to help with budgeting and money management can be the key to financial success as a college student, especially around the holidays when the spending is at an all-time high.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
