Still studying? Tired of being broke before the semester end? College life can be a major temptation to overspend –high lifestyles demand, enjoying and partying and also expensive books to buy. Then your scholarship is limited and not enough to fulfill all your need and your parents can’t afford you more than what you wanting for.

I’ve been through this tough situation during my college study and it was the first time I stay far away from my parents. I was out of money for almost a week, and I’m just eating instant noodles to survive. Sounds funny right? Haaaa…During that time I don’t want to ask for any help from friends and family and try to find out the solutions for myself before my scholarship in. I think, think and think and lastly I confess that I’m broke because I spend more than what I suppose to made – buying without thinking, and savings, really never cross to my though .

Wow…that was unforgettable memories and from that experience I do learn something meaningful and use it to face any difficult situation to survive. I realized that sometimes I spend much more than necessary and I can’t deny that our heart desires always bring us to the other side of a good thing. Right? But, you have a choice, other way to go through, to save your money – and the choice is on your own hand.

Take the right step from the start so you’re not run out of your money just because a little mistake just like I’ve been made to myself. Think wise + act right + spend smart = savings. Here’s some tips, try and keep it with you to help you to avoid serious money troubles….

1. Create a budget. Firstly, to be fiscally fit track your expenses and income. Spend your money into an important things first – books, stationary or study fees. And you should set aside something for emergencies and if you know you need some money for entertainment, be it a CD of the occasional movie, factor it in to avoid nasty surprises. Besides, you should plan and ready your budget if there are other occasions or activities where you need to use a lot of money. Try other alternatives; maybe you have to cancel your weekend program and keep that money for more valuable uses.

2. Buy in bulk. Do this and you can save your dollars much more. If you’re sharing a place with friends, try buying household items such as detergent, dish-washing liquid or rice in bulk from low-price hypermarkets. Don’t go for expensive products and also try to catch the biggest sales every time you go for shopping. Buy only necessary goods: List down everything you want to buy and try to budget the prices – make it as low as you can and you can keep the extra for savings.

3. Buy used books. If you want to save more, this is the way. Buy a second hand or used books from seniors who’ve completed the course with much more lower prices than a brand new one and this is so much better! Other than that you can check out book prices online and compare which are the lowest prices and maybe it could be lower than what the bookstores offer. If you divvy up the freight charges with a group of friends, it could be worth your while.

4. Don’t drive. I know many of you out there don’t agree with this suggestion. But if you think and look out for every single aspect you can save more by not having any car. A car is no doubt convenient but if you have one, you know what going to happen to your budget – besides petrol and parking, you need to set aside funds for insurance, road tax, regular service appointments as well as repairs should it become necessary. Other than that, having car will make you have many reasons to go somewhere else and this also involves your accounts.

5. Smart spending equals savings. Spends only when you need to spend. Stock your wardrobe with basics and update them with key items from the latest trends or hit the boutiques during end-of-season sales. Do your research to see what or when certain cafes, cinemas or even restaurants offer student discounts and patronize these outlets to save. Don’t go for high class restaurants, famous saloon or branded boutiques just because you want to look perfect but try looking for something moderate.

6. Keep stay in campus. Stay actives and try to involve with college activities as much as you can. This will give you more chances to stay inside campus for another semester and here you can save for house rent and other facilities. If you don’t have choices and have to stay outside, try to find the cheapest house and near to your campus. Find housemate and get full your house as long as there’re space and comfortable for everyone. Share anything or whatever needed for the house and the bills payment too.

7. Do some part-time job. Nothing wrong with part-time job as long as you can divide your study and working time – maybe during the weekend or summer holidays. Why not? It gives you extra experiences and extra money too. Just do something simple and make sure that job won’t distract your study times and gives bad effect to your campus life routine. Maybe you can try something like work at campus cafeteria or as a librarian assistant. At least, you’re still in campus area, so not much of your times losing for commute from campus to working place and you can save more money. So, what do you think?