The beginning of the semester often comes with additional expenses: books, school supplies and apartment/residence hall upkeep, to name a few. Here are听some tips on keeping your budget healthy throughout the school year.听听
- Set a budget.听Be determined to live within your means this semester. That might mean eating out less, saying no to expensive nights on Pearl Street or in Denver, or planning a road trip for spring break rather than an exotic get-away.
- Food shop.听Food shopping and eating in can add up to major听savings. Pack your lunches, make coffee at home, cook a meal with friends instead of buying an expensive sushi dinner. Buy staples such as rice, bread, chicken听and vegetables, and cook up a supply for the week over the weekend. Eight tips for eating on a budget
- Avoid large purchases.听Sometimes students will make a large purchase early in the semester that will kill their budget and have them struggling to cover expenses. Computers, outdoor gear, ski trips or听plane tickets. Wait on any large purchase, and if you must have it, make a revised budget and look to buy used or on sale.
- Have fun for free.听Look for , talks from , hikes, , going to the gym, or be creative!听Challenge yourself to find fun, healthy, stress-busting activities that are low cost or free
- Avoid running up your credit card.听Only charge to your card what you plan to pay off every month. High credit card balances can take years to pay and set back your saving and financial goals.
With a little effort and planning ahead you should be able to set yourself up for a semester and year of financial success.
