Looking to save money in college?

Wash your hair twice a week to save on shampoo, wear the same clothes five days in a row to save on laundry, don’t turn in your term papers because that wastes ink and paper, stand by the trash can in the cafeteria and make sure no food goes to waste and never use more than two squares of toilet paper.

Sadly there have probably been college students who have done worse things to save money, but there are a lot of easier ways to save a couple of dollars.

Credit cards

If you do sign up for a credit card to get that free T-shirt or sub, make sure you cut it up when it comes in the mail rather than using it. The last thing college students need is more debt.

Textbooks

Don’t buy books until after the first day of class when you know if you need them. If the book is on reserve in the library, you don’t need to buy it because you can check it out. If you do need the books, check out the prices online at cheapbooks.com and amazon.com.

Groceries

Shop at Aldi on Capitol Drive. It’s cheaper than Wal-Mart and only a block west. Also get a savings card at Pick ‘n Save and buy what is on sale.

Movies

Flicks is the free theater in Sandburg Hall that shows films newly released on video.

Also get a Milwaukee County library card, which you can use to borrow DVDs and tapes for free. There is a great library in Shorewood on Murray Avenue about five blocks north of campus.

Transportation

Instead of driving take advantage of your UPass, the free bus pass for UWM students. You will save money on gas, parking and tickets. Or, ride your ride. Biking is free and provides a workout at the same time.

Cell phones

Make sure you have a good plan before you start the year. It’s better to overestimate your minutes than to find out you have an extra $80 charge. If you live in the dorms, using your dorm number is an easy way to use fewer minutes.

Free food

There is free food everywhere the first week of classes. Just pretend you are a freshman even if you are a senior. But even after that you can just show up to group meetings and get free pizza. Watch for chalk signs.

Eating out

Don’t eat out unless the parents are paying, or do it sparingly. It can be really tempting to get away from dorm food or daily mac and cheese, but it’s expensive.

Drinking

The cheapest way to save money in college is to not drink but, realistically, drink before going out and avoid bars unless it’s happy hour or there are nightly specials.

Clothes, etc.

You don’t need to buy expensive brands to look good. DOTS on Capital has great clothes for girls for a third of mall prices. Shop even cheaper at thrift stores such as Value Village on North Avenue. They have cheap games, clothes, furniture and whatever else you could want.

Entertainment

There are lots of free and cheap activities if you just keep your eyes open. You don’t need lots of money to have fun. The parks and beaches are always free. Here is a sampling of some of budget-friendly Milwaukee activities:

Lake Park three-par golf: $6

Milwaukee Art Museum: free Wednesdays

Milwaukee Public Museum: free Mondays

Milwaukee County Zoo: half-price Wednesdays

Brewers games: $5 Bernie's Terrace tickets

Union bowling: free certain nights of the week

Above all, learn to make sacrifices. Separate wants and needs. You need food and rent money, but you don’t need cable and brand-name shampoo.

> Comments