The Daily Gamecock

Ways to save money

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Spending money is easy, but spending money when you don’t have any is hardCollege has a lot of hidden expenses, especially in the first few weeks. You have to buy last minute items for your apartment, extra books and not to mention the cost of making friends.

It is smart to learn how to spend money, save money and make money. Here are just a few ways to make sure you don’t blow your budget while enjoying the best years of your life.

Don’t buy books unless you absolutely have to. More often than not, you will buy a $100 book you use one time. Typically, the library keeps several copies on reserve that you can rent for two hours at a time.

Cook more, eat out less. Learning how to feed yourself will pay off in the long run. Eating out three times a day can get extremely pricey. Buying groceries will cut back on this cost. Also, be sure to use every meal on your meal plan and all of your Carolina Cash.

Take advantage of USC events. They are free. USC has a free movie theater, free sporting events and free cultural events. Some of these events even have free food.

Use student living and USC amenities. Many student living areas have pools, gyms and computer labs. Cut back on costs by taking advantage of these.

Sell things you don’t use. Getting rid of old cell phones, video games and clothes gives you more room and more money in your pocket. Gazelle.com offers cash for your old phones, even broken iPhones. Vinted.com is a great website (and app) where you can safely sell those old clothes that have just been taking up space in the back of your closet.

Get a job. Having a job gives you a regular income and will keep you busy, so you won’t be out spending a ton of money. USC's first job fair is on Augst 17 in the Russell House Ballroom from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Use student discounts. Columbia is a college town, so there are plenty of restaurants, stores and salons that will give you a discount just for being a student.

Make your own coffee. Buying a cup of coffee at Starbucks everyday will drill a hole into your wallet. Buy a coffee pot and you can make 10 cups for the price of one.

Spend your money wisely. Blowing your budget at Five Points is OK every once in a while, but making it a habit is bad for your bank account. Be reasonable.


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