7 Surprisingly Painless Ways to Save Money, According to Thrifty College Students
Whenever I talk to my mom and dad about school (specifically my expenses), I realize that a lot has changed since my parents were in college. Tuition has ballooned, rent and housing costs are steep everywhere, and textbooks can cost as much as a short vacation. Of course, I’d love to save enough money to actually spend on some fun things, too. So instead of recycling outdated budgeting wisdom as I navigate my last year of undergrad, I asked some of my friends who are also current college students how they’re actually making it work, from everyday habits to unexpected strategies that save real money.
What I deduced from their responses and my own experience: It’s all about planning ahead, thinking long-term, and building habits that make saving feel manageable. Start small, and try your best not to compare yourself to other people’s financial situations — everyone is different and has different levels of support. The best advice is to do what works for you.
Assume There’s a Student Discount (and Ask for It!)
Before buying or subscribing to anything, get online and search for a student deal. “Tapping into student discounts has saved me more money than I expected,” says Mukhtar Idris, class of 2026. “Subscriptions like Spotify and Amazon Prime have heavily discounted student plans, and even local restaurants offer 20 to 30% off if you show your student ID.” You might have better luck scoring discounts like this in a college town (Idris goes to UNC Chapel Hill) than in a bigger city, but it never hurts to ask!
He adds that a quick Google search can go a long way. “More places have student deals than you think, including travel — I have saved a ton on Amtrak and some flights.”
Plan Ahead for Daily Expenses
Eva Clifford, class of 2026, keeps her spending down by planning ahead instead of making decisions on the fly. “Buying groceries for the whole week helps me avoid eating out,” she says. She also makes her own coffee instead of buying one at a cafe every day.
When it comes to getting around, she relies on public transportation or splits rideshares with friends. And instead of paying for a separate gym membership, she uses the campus or apartment gym she’s already paying for through fees.
Shop Intentionally and Build a Low-Cost Lifestyle
For Abby Marmelstein, class of 2026, saving money starts with being deliberate about how you spend it. “I make a grocery list so I don’t buy extra things I don’t need,” she says. She extends this intentional buying method to the rest of her life as well. Marmelstein plans her shopping around sales and holiday weekends. “Buying off-season items really works,” she adds. “Stores have discounts when clothes aren’t in season, so I plan ahead that way as well.” She also shops for furniture and clothes secondhand and seeks out student discounts.
In addition to fostering financially sustainable shopping habits, Marmelstein prioritizes free activities and uses the public library instead of buying books.
Dine Out Only When It Makes Sense for Your Budget
Strict budgeting advice that suggests forgoing all dining out in favor of meal prepping more cheaply doesn’t leave much room for dinners with friends. And sometimes, says Sophie Baglioni, class of 2027, ordering out actually does save money when she has leftovers that can provide a second meal later. “I don’t limit myself from eating out if it’s actually the better deal,” she says. “If I can get two meals out of one purchase and it costs less than cooking at home, that’s smarter long-term.”
Learn to Do Some Self-Care Tasks Yourself
“I learned how to do my own nails and cut and style my hair at home,” says Juha Kim, class of 2026, who cuts recurring expenses by learning skills she used to outsource. “It saves me a ton of money every month, and I can put those extra funds into savings.”
Automate Saving and Start Investing Early
Angelina Leon, class of 2026, avoids overspending by moving money out of reach. “I set up an investment account with the help of my boyfriend and put money into it every month,” she says. “Even if it’s not a lot, it’s better than spending it on things I don’t need.”
Build an Emergency Fund Before Anything Else
“As soon as I get paid, I allocate money to savings,” says Ansel Whitley, class of 2027. “My savings are my emergency fund, so I don’t touch it unless something actually goes wrong.”
Though his strategy starts with security, once he reached $1,000 in that fund, he felt comfortable letting the rest of his money go toward investing and everyday spending.
Interview responses were edited for length and clarity.
Find out how to handle your finances as if you’re a Personal Finance major with Dorm Therapy’s Don’t-Stress Guide to Saving & Spending in College.
