Comments on: Personal Finance For College Students: Ten Tips For Realistic Money Management In College – Without The Nonsense

By: Hank

Hank — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:00:44 +0000

nice list. Meeting a bunch of new friends can be great for saving money. Set it up to have a pot luck dinner at least once a week then everybody saves and everyone eats good. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/3002540/tips_for_college_freshman_strategies.html?cat=4

By: lenia

lenia — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:47:53 +0000

Yeah, Im move off campus because the food and the board was way too expensive, so now im cooking on my own and have a part time job…i mean is hard but it is worth it, I have 3 credit cards (not debts) and usually when i use them I pay everything or half of it so I can build my credit history…I think is more about balance and sacrifice for a while until you get your diploma.

By: Alisa

Alisa — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:25:13 +0000

Definitely check out studentrate.com. They offer printable coupons to local vendors and promo codes for national websites. Great site to find student discounts!

By: Iris

Iris — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:13:22 +0000

Credit cards can be great— if you use them correctly. I started off with AMEX Blue for Students and switched to Blue Cash in college. By the end of college American Express was paying me to use their card because I paid it off in full each month and earned rewards.

I’m not saying credit cards are for everyone. Some people can’t manage credit, but for those that can a rewards card can be a great source of free money or airline miles.

Also, I can’t speak for all colleges but the meal plan at my college was a complete rip off. As an underclassman I had to buy into the meal plan. But when I became a junior I went off of it and saved tons of money on food.

By: woohoo

woohoo — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:33:44 +0000

I am in college and I have a credit card but my mom gave me a great idea. Put it in a block of ice in the freezer. If its not worth it by the time it melts, don’t get it!

By: Alan

Alan — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:57:04 +0000

Good advice. Like others have said, a credit card could actually be very good for some college students. I’ve had mine since I’ve been a senior in high school, and now as a senior at my university I have pretty good credit. I’ve not once carried a balance, and I’m careful to only put necessary things on the card. Also, I’ve had a few emergencies (car trouble, things breaking) where I didn’t have enough cash on hand to immediately solve the problem—these things happen to everyone in college at least once.

Also, I actually ended up canceling my meal plan while at the dorms my sophomore year. Our cheapest plan was $10/plate, and I was able to grocery shop and make much more affordable and healthier meals.

Otherwise, you hit the other points perfectly. Cheers!

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 02:36:46 +0000

I agree with the others about the meal plan. At Baylor, it works out to over $7 per meal, every meal!

By: emily

emily — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 01:39:21 +0000

Get a credit card and cut it up. You will need the credit history. I have almost perfect credit but my credit is just below allowing me to recieve the best interest rate on a house because I dont have a long enough credit history. I also disagree with the last one. If it makes you feel good while you are doing it and the next day, I think is better advise.

By: Xtine

Xtine — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 20:06:17 +0000

I’m gonna have to disagree with the don’t get a CC card bit: my 22yo best friend/essential twin just got turned down for an ING checking acct due to a complete and utter lack of credit history. What’s on her credit report? A student loan acct due to start repayment in 2009…and that date moves forward each semester.

She intends to get a gas CC, and is shopping around right now.

And as mentioned above…campus meal plans are HORRIBLE.

Something else to consider when starting a student organization is that some colleges actually GIVE money to the student org at the beginning (at my school, $300 for the group. You must have officers and a charter, though)

Jobs: Don’t forget the perks of having had a job related to your major when it comes time for internships. General Hugh Shelton was a graduate from my particular college within the university, and my bosses introduced me to him my first day. My excitement and thanks made such an impression that I now have first dibs on working certain events where industry networking is rampant.

By: nightingale

nightingale — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:41:01 +0000

Good advice, for the most part, but most of the students at college these days (including myself, last year) knew that eating in the school cafeteria is actually considerably more expensive then eating on your own. When living on campus at most of the schools in the northeast for the 6-7 months of school, the meal plan is often about $30 a day and required in addition to the $12,000 or so to live on campus. Everyone thought it was ridiculous of course, especially since the food wasn’t exactly delicious or high quality (as several cases of food poisoning clearly pointed out). You could go in and get a peanut butter sandwich for lunch and it would cost you $10, essentially!
Living off campus with a few roommates in an apartment and eating frugally is often far cheaper.

By: sala

sala — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:33:12 +0000

I wish I read this stuff when I was student.

By: imelda72

imelda72 — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 21:14:29 +0000

Great article–I have just one complaint! At a lot of colleges, the meal plans are WAY overpriced. I have saved a lot of money by not signing up for one and cooking on my own.

Of course, if one is going to order out all the time to make up for not having a plan, that defeats the purpose. But if we’re willing to cook and be frugal in grocery shopping, it’s well worth it!

By: English Major

English Major — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 22:14:49 +0000

Hey, Trent--I expanded on this theme here, and ISPF expanded on it even furthere here. Thanks for the inspiration!

By: Josef

Josef — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:27:06 +0000

Great title! As a college student i feel i don’t get enough dedicated advice; It seems all financial advice starts for 30 somethings…Thanks!
Cheers,
Josef

By: Aleigh

Aleigh — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 20:54:03 +0000

Also find out what area businesses offer a student discount. Carry your student ID everywhere and ask.
Check your bookstore, fitness center, or student center weekly for samples! Ours has freebies monthly if not weekly.