One of the most common words associated with college students is “broke.” We are paying for our education while also trying to enjoy the four very short years we have in college. As a full-time student or student-athlete there is no time for a job and even if you find time for one, it usually doesn’t have a high pay rate. Being a student is a full-time job within itself and by having a job you will more than likely be taking away any free time you have, especially weekends. As a junior and student-athlete in college who has lived on and off campus, I have discovered a few different tips and tricks to save money and to make the most out of what I have.   

Take advantage of your on-campus meal money. Compared to other campuses I have visited; Iona has one of the best food options. Not only can you get a full meal but there are also produce options to take back to your dorm with you. It may get repetitive at times, and you might get tired of eating the same food but if you get creative with what you get then it can be enjoyable. There will be times when your friends want to go out to dinner and that is okay every once in a while, but be okay with saying “no.” Trust me, your bank account will thank you later. 

This one is for all of my fellow coffee lovers who do not have an on-campus meal plan and don’t have the luxury of spending our “fake money” at the on-campus Starbucks. Coffee has become the number one culprit in draining my bank account. I did not realize how much money I could save just on coffee alone until I invested in an iced coffee maker. It has become a life saver. Instead of spending $6 on a coffee every morning, I just take the five minutes to make my own iced coffee and I can barely tell the difference. Don’t get me wrong, I still treat myself to Starbucks once a week, but this transition has made the biggest difference for me with saving money. 

The most important lesson I have learned is to work like a horse all summer so I don’t have to worry about money as much during the school year. It is a lot, and some people may not have the time with internships and other responsibilities. However, it is worth it to give up a large portion of your summer working in order to have the semester that you want. On the flip side, if you are someone that would rather spend your summers having fun and your school year working, then there are many jobs on-campus that are available to students for decent pay and flexible hours. 

There are so many different creative ways to save your money, but these are the three that have worked the best for me. At the end of the day, do not stress about money too much; you have way more important things going on in your life. Go out, have fun and enjoy college.