Charter College issued the following announcement.
Money can be tight—especially when you’re a student. You’re working hard to earn your certificate or degree to start a new career in a field you love. But until you graduate and land that first job, you’ll need to be extra careful about your finances. Here are a few money management tips to help you get through school with your finances intact.
Set a Budget to Limit Spending
The best way to manage your money is to create a realistic monthly budget. You need to know what you earn and spend before you can set limits for yourself. Break your budget down into categories to prioritize your spending. First budget for living expenses like housing, utilities, phone, insurance, and food. Then consider other necessities like childcare, auto payments, transportation costs. Last on your list should be items that you’re used to having, but may not need, such as the cable bill and stops at your local coffee shop. You can download a budgeting app like Mint or GoodBudget to help you set goals and keep track of your expenses.
Eat at Home to Save Money
Have you eaten at home a lot during the pandemic? Good! Then, you’ve probably noticed that it saves you money. So, before you head to the drive-thru for some fast food or mask up to go into a restaurant, think twice. You can save money when you cook at home, especially when you use dinner leftovers for lunch the next day. You can also save money when you brew your morning coffee instead of purchasing those expensive specialty coffee drinks. Eating at home is cheaper and for a very happy bonus—it's healthier!
Use Coupons to Save Money
Whether you’re shopping for food or getting your oil changed at the mechanic’s, use those coupons! Check out the weekly flyer from your local grocery store and ask about loyalty programs wherever you shop. Many places give discounts after you spend a certain amount or offer regular patrons insider deals. You can also sign up to receive coupons through websites like Groupon, which offer coupons and discounts for everything from restaurants and retail shops to hotel and automotive services.
Look for Student Discounts
Do you have a student ID? It can do a whole lot more than get you on campus or provide you access to your online curriculum. As a student, you could be entitled to discounts from all kinds of sellers. Amazon Prime, for instance, offers a discounted price to students who want to join. Apple and Adobe also offer student discounts on some of their products. Before you make your next purchase, ask if the retailer offers student discounts.
Find a Side Hustle to Earn Money
In order to spend money, you have to make money. If you need to earn some extra cash, find a side job. Do you love animals? Maybe you could walk the dogs in your neighborhood for a fee. Are any of your neighbors homebound during the pandemic? You could ask if they’d pay you to grocery shop or run errands for them. You can also check online job boards for freelance work, or join a website such as Upwork or Fiverr, which allow you to offer a specific service for a certain fee.
With your budget set and these money management tips in mind, you’ll be able to keep your finances in check until you’re able to land your dream job. Charter College also offers an iPay + Tuition Match program that might be able to help you reduce your out-of-pocket expenses while you attend our school. To learn more, call 888-200-9942.
Original source can be found here.
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