10 Ways to Save Money in College Without Giving Up Your Joy and Sanity 

Byfirstclassuni.com

“Why are you broke?”

“I am not broke.”

“You ARE broke.”

“Do you perform the natural savings?”

No, you don’t. Do you?

Who can save on a student’s income?

“Student income” is a fancy way of saying you’re broke but still trying to live your best life. You’ve got books, brunch, rent, ramen, and the audacity of adulthood all chasing your wallet at once. 

It’s a hard knock life for you. I get it. 

But no matter how bad it is, it could always get worse. The $20 you didn’t spend on coffee after class might end up being what saves you from starving one day or what gets you a cute top so your closet sees something new after so long. 

And if life doesn’t throw any more hard knocks your way, it’s still a good idea to live frugally. 

Saving money on a student income is possible, even when your bank balance looks like a bad joke.

So let’s dive into some actually doable ways to stretch those coins without starving like an early 2000s teenage girl after watching some toxic talk show.

1. Romanticize Budgeting and Stalk Your Expenses (Yes, Seriously)

Budgeting doesn’t have to feel like a spreadsheet from hell. Divide your monthly income in percentages, and figure out what you need to spend 50% on—and please let that be real food, not coffee— what gets only 20%, and what gets 10%.

Use apps like Mint or You Need a Budget (YNAB) and treat it like a cute little money diary. 

Name your spending categories something dramatic like:

  • ✨“Energy Survival Fund” (for food)
  • 💃“Main Character Expenses” (for college expenses like books and stuff)
  • 💀“Why Am I Like This” (for impulse buys. You’ll have them. It’s better to budget a small amount for them than to pretend you actually have enough willpower to resist)

2. Thrift Like a Trendy Goblin

You’re Gen Z, right? Or at least you’re being oppressed by Gen Z expectations. Which means you might need to put some effort into your outfits to avoid getting called out. 

But that shouldn’t take up all your money.

You don’t need to drop $80 on a sweater that looks like it’s from Grandma’s attic when you can just… go to Grandma’s attic (aka the thrift store).

Apps like Depop, Poshmark, and Vinted are your runway. And don’t sleep on IRL thrift stores — $5 for a hoodie and some mysterious lint? Iconic.

3. Use the Student Discount Card Like It’s Black AmEx

You’re broke. We’ve covered that. So you shouldn’t be living like you’re not. The one thing literally everybody misses from college is the student discounts. So make the most of them.

(Side note: I nearly cried when I had to pay full price for Spotify.) 

If you don’t already have UNiDAYS or Student Beans downloaded, wyd??

  • Get 10-20% off at places like ASOS, Apple, Adidas, and even food joints.
  • Amazon Prime Student is way cheaper and comes with free delivery + stress-reducing binge sessions.

Student discounts are like little love notes from capitalism. Use them.

4. Cook. At. Home. (I Believe in You)

I’ll say it a hundred times if I need to… You’re broke. Live like it.

You’re not one of Elon Musk’s kids, are you? Do you call Bill Gates daddy? 

Then what makes you think you can afford to eat out or order in all the time?

Ordering in is a scam that steals your rent money. Instead, become the dorm chef you were born to be.

  • Pasta, rice bowls, tacos = easy, aesthetic, budget-friendly.
  • Meal prep doesn’t have to be a chore—just cook extra and slap it in the fridge.

Bonus: Your dorm will start smelling like heaven, and everyone will think you’re a culinary god.

Check out meal prep ideas here.

5. Make Date Nights Cheap and Cute.

Broke people can afford love, too. You deserve that much. But keep it sensible.

You don’t need a fancy dinner to impress bae. Try:

  • Movie night with popcorn and Dollar Tree snacks
  • Homemade pizza nights (throw flour and vibes together)
  • Walks, free museum days, or even campus events = free bonding and zero financial trauma

6. Cancel Subscriptions You Forgot You Had

Do you really need Spotify, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, and HBO Max? Choose your fighter.

Go to your Google Play subscriptions or whatever the iPhone equivalent is. (Yes, proud Android user and no slander will be tolerated). Scroll through your list of subscriptions and cancel EVERY SINGLE ONE that you haven’t used in three months.

A little $5 a month deduction here and there will hurt your bank balance, even if you don’t notice it.

Pro tip: Rotate streaming services based on what you’re watching. Watch all your shows on one, cancel, and switch next month.

It’s like cheating the system. Because you need to.

7. Side Hustle Without Burnout

Saving money in college is easier when you actually have money coming in. You know?

It can be taxing trying to balance work and school, but you’re broke, aren’t you? What other options have you got?

I’m not trying to make you cry into your textbooks. BUT if you can do a little side hustle, do it smart:

  • Freelance (writing, design, editing — Fiverr/Upwork)
  • Sell digital notes or study guides
  • Be a campus rep or do microtasks on sites like Swagbucks

Get creative, not overwhelmed.

8. Split Everything (Fairly!)

Don’t be afraid to pay for your own meals ONLY. You only ordered a side salad and a teeny little pizza, so why should you be paying 28 bucks with everyone else? 

(Get the reference?)

Even with house stuff, too. You shouldn’t be the only one buying the dish soap. Everybody eats and does dishes.

Roommates? Besties? Partner? Split costs like toilet paper, pantry snacks, cleaning supplies — and never just assume someone will pick it up again.

Use apps like Splitwise to keep receipts and keep the peace.

9. Use Cash-Back & Reward Apps Like a Coupon Queen

Apps like Rakuten, Honey, and Fetch give you cashback or points just for doing what you were already doing — spending irresponsibly (but now with rewards!).
You can even earn gift cards for scanning your receipts. 

Capitalism? Hacked.

Seriously, don’t be afraid to look cheap using these apps. Remember, you’re broke. Cheap is an upgrade. 

Download and start saving money.

10. Embrace the Free Life

  • College events = free food + free merch + potential networking
  • Local libraries = free books, movies, printing, and good Wi-Fi
  • Campus gyms = cancel that overpriced membership and go lift with Chad and Brad

Basically, if it’s free and won’t land you in jail, say yes.

Again, YOU’RE BROKE!!!

Save Well, But Live Well

Saving money on a student income is less about suffering and more about strategy. You don’t have to give up fun, fashion, or that overpriced latte. You just have to be smarter than your shopping cart.

I love you, boo. Really, I do. I don’t want you starving or miserable, all in the name of saving. 

I’m just saying, life can get very expensive if you let it, and college isn’t any easier with your finances in a mess. 

So go forth, build that savings, and know this: you’re doing amazing, sweetie. 

And your future financially stable self? Already proud of you. 

Wishing you peace and MAJOR funds,

Dee

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