Living comfortably while in college is difficult. You can’t have a full-time job because of your studies, and you have to pay thousands of dollars in tuition fees. You also have to buy textbooks and cater for your living expenses.

But there are a few things you can do to improve your financial health as a student. You can get a side hustle, take advantage of student discounts, or reduce your expenses. Here are our top tips for saving money creatively while in college.

1. Make a Budget

If you can't keep track of how you spend money, you won’t be able to save. You need to know how you spend money to be able to manage it. And it all starts with having a budget. A budget helps you estimate your monthly expenses and the required finances.

Luckily, there are budgeting apps that can do all the calculations for you. You only need to link your bank account, and the app automatically tracks your spending. Then, you can regularly review the figures and make the necessary adjustments.

2. Reduce Your Expenses

Apart from tuition fees, most student expenses can be reduced or eliminated altogether. Start by analyzing your accommodation costs and go for the cheaper option. If living in a dorm is cheaper than living in an off-campus apartment, move. If you decide to live in an apartment, get a roommate and share the rent. And to save more money, spend summers at home.

You can also split subscription costs for services like Netflix or Hulu with your roommate and save money by not going to the movies. And instead of eating out or ordering food, cook your own meals. Also, take advantage of campus amenities such as fitness classes and movie nights. 

Always carry your student ID with you to take advantage of student discounts when traveling or shopping. In addition, use cashback and rewards programs like Rakuten and Ibotta to further save on shopping and travel. And finally, don't buy new textbooks when you can rent or buy cheaper used ones on Chegg and Amazon.com. And once you’re done with the books, you can save and resell them.

3. Build Your Credit

Building your credit while in college allows you to start adult life on the right foot. And there are several ways to go about it. You can repay your student loan consistently every month or get a credit card and use it well. Request your parents to add you as an authorized user to their credit cards. But only spend what you can comfortably repay every month. 

Another great way to build your credit is to take a loan and repay it on time. There are lenders who give affordable student loans, but you may be required to have a good GPA score to qualify. Also, you can take an instant online title loan and repay it on time--if you have a car.

Make the Best of Your College Life

You’re in college to study and have fun. Please do both. And while you’re at it, form good saving habits. It may seem impossible to meet your academic and budgetary goals, but with a little discipline, you can create a bright financial future.