<p>I'm going to be a freshmen next year. With the declining economy, this year is going to be tough. I'm planning on being as frugal as possible in college. I'm living in a dorm with a 2 meals/day meal plan. So, I was wondering, how much (on average) do college students spend in one week. Can anyone give any possible tips on ways to save $?</p>
<p>I'm going to try and buy used textbooks if I can.</p>
<p>Please do us a favor and use the board search. We have had several threads on the same topic recently.</p>
<p>we have had several threads like this...but i'll answer anyways...</p>
<p>i think it depends a lot on the person. However, figure in about 5 bucks a week for laundry, and if you're only having 2 meals a day, then also some extra food costs. I have a hard time with all the cafes and markets on campus, its too easy to spend money on coffee and such. I would suggest just not keeping any money with you...that way, you can't spend money!</p>
<p>krm yeah coffee is definitely what I spend the most money on... I've developed some sort of addiction to it that I need it (or just REALLY want it) throughout the day.</p>
<p>Other than that, try to buy books used independently, instead of used from the bookstore. Try not to eat out... I don't really know what else.</p>
<p>Watch movies from the internet saves you a lot of money.</p>
<p>yeah so i just finnished my freshman year! i think i spent like 3,000 total for the whole year! i have no clue on what! ahhhhh it was crazy! watching movies online is really a big thing!!!</p>
<p>It depends on where you go to school.. someone at UMiami or NYU where the social life is more centered around the city such as the clubs and bars are going to spend a lot more money than someone who goes to a rural, more campus oreinted university.</p>
<p>about $150 for me mainly because of food but I doubt i'm the average. I didnt really use my meal plan in the spring semester since my dining hall didnt really cater to vegetarians.</p>
<p>All you need to spend money on is laundry and things like shampoo. You can use your meal plan and borrow movies instead of renting them or going out to see them. It's easy to not spend much at all if you have self-discipline, but that'd be pretty boring... you don't really HAVE to spend much at all, but you'll probably choose to and that's up to you.</p>
<p>Some tips:
1. Buy books from friends (a ton cheaper)
2. Don't eat out often (this one is tough...I love food)
3. DC++ movies/TV shows/music =P
4. Do big batches of laundry
5. Don't pick up golf as a hobby (seriously)</p>
<p>As kelseyg said, you only NEED hygiene products like shampoo, soap, etc. and the occasional clothes. But you're going to want to spend more (when your friends go out to movies, dinner, liquor runs, etc),</p>
<p>-buy books from friends/ebay.
-borrow books and dvds from public library.
-bring water bottle.
-take many blank papers from library, make 3holes, and put it on your binder.</p>
<p>train tickets, eating out, snacks (this is a biggy. I spend close to 100-120 dollars on snacks a month and I am normal size)</p>
<p>Dang, you guys are ridiculous. I feel like I'm splurging if I eat out twice a week.</p>
<p>Check out your school's dining plan. At mine, you can use your meal plan to buy groceries or are allowed to take home snacks/food you get from the dining halls. </p>
<p>If you're unfortunate enough to go to one of those schools where you can't leave with food and that only serves buffet-style, you'd probably be tempted to spend money on some snacks and small groceries.</p>
<p>It depends what situation you are in and where your school is.</p>
<p>I relocated 3800 miles and brought my car so I had costs for:
Gas/oil changes/etc (30/week)
Cell phone (60/month)
General Bathroom stuff (10/week, pure guess)
Books (can be anything... search for used books in nearby bookstores, friends, I've found books for half off online)
We had a free printer/paper my freshman year but moved to suite-style housing and bought a massively rebated cheap laser printer and took paper :)</p>
<p>The biggest thing I can say to save money are:
1) If you cook food, cook in bulk or things that can be stored and reheated. I do a lot with pasta and rice... 2 meals a day isn't gonna cut it so you'll have to cook or prepare meals of some sort.
2) Try to limit alcohol consumption or just mooch of other people (I just take what others don't really like but have for some reason)
3) Limit going out to dinner, even to fast food places, since they still cost more and are generally less filling then what you can cook yourself. (not to mention the health factor!)
4) Limit going out to bars/movies/events unless it's really worth it. On college campuses you can get all the movies you want on the local network generally, not to mention there are all the people who buy movies/game consoles/etc
5) Try and shop at larger stores. We have a gas station right next to us and it's tempting to run over and buy a small thing of milk or what it is that you need, but they tend to cost more so stick to larger stores. Same with the campus store from what I've seen.</p>
<p>when you turn 21 alcohol changes everything. like trying to decide if you should by beer or food...beer wins</p>