<p>too many expenses and not enough money coming in… my life story. I’m in college, have a full time job, and don’t splurge on unnecessary purchases. What am I missing? Are there other students who completely support themselves and go to school full time? If so, how do you do it!? …</p>
<p>Stop spending so much money.</p>
<p>drug deala</p>
<p>Try to prioritize more. Only purchase stuff that’s a necessity and then you could try setting aside a certain amount of money for the stuff you feel like splurging on.</p>
<p>Basically, just try to save up more.</p>
<p>I doubt you haven’t noticed, but the economy isn’t that awesome. It’s about as bad as Amy Winehouse in rehab.</p>
<p>Just hang in there. You’re not the only one who has to tighten up their belt and prioritize financially. A lot of students have help from their parents and are able to get by. You just happen to be more self-reliant and are supporting yourself. Pride yourself on this and just do what you have to do.</p>
<p>I work and go to school full time. I sometimes wonder where my money goes because it seems like I’ll have $300 in my pocket one day and it will be completely gone the next.</p>
<p>If you’re concerned about being broke why don’t you make a budge plan for your expenses? Write down how much you spend on rent, food, schooling, bills, and luxuries and find out if you can cut the costs. Sometimes simply not buying as much food saves money.</p>
<p>I’m broke too. I hate doing it but I just had to ask my mom for a little loan, had to take advantage of the only-child card.</p>
<p>much respect to you for paying for college yourself. i was babied all throughout college.</p>
<p>Definitely open up an Excel Spreadsheet, and type up your expenses, and try to budget accordingly.</p>
<p>As for working, online poker is a really solid income stream if you can get enough hands in a month.</p>
<p>
Umm. That’s how I became broke in the first place… </p>
<p>That and betting on exams with my housemates.</p>
<p>My list of priorities - I’m living off-campus and working somewhat + scholarship, but it’s still tight:</p>
<p>1) Rent, water, gas, insurance… always and on time.
2) Groceries - and be smart about them. Huge packages of noodles, snacks, sweets … are WAY cheaper. Cook large amounts and freeze them (this is our main way to save money, and it really saves a lot). If there’s something durable on discount, stock up. Don’t buy soda drinks on campus - they are expensive. Take something with you, it really adds up. (aka the latte factor)
3) College related stuff. I buy my books used, and resell most of them. I don’t buy pens and stuff on-campus, because it’s quite expensive there. Of course, it’s not that much you save, but on the long run it’s stupid to spend more than you need- especially if you don’t get better things.
4) Clothing. A pair of jeans doesn’t have to cost much. Nobody cares what you wear anyway. </p>
<h2>5) Bus ticket. Theoretically I could take the bike, but I don’t always want to, and I’m getting a good deal.</h2>
<p>I know how much these five things cost me monthly. I add 10% just to take care of randomness, and I automatically save up a few bucks for my emergency stash - just in case I lose my bus ticket, my bike gets stolen, I need a very expensive book the library doesn’t carry, or the computer stops working.</p>
<p>These are my monthly expenses - and I know exactly how much cash I can spend on frivolities. I’m not sure how of these things are taken care of for you, but that’s how it works. </p>
<p>Student discounts are nice and fine - but in many cases they are put on overpriced products, and you should never forget that. You don’t >need< music, drinking, cappuchinos, high mobile phone bills, netflix,…
They are nice, but often there are cheaper ways to do it - invite a bunch of friends and drink at home, (the same with cappuchino), listen to last.fm and use TheLastRipper , use Skype and similar things as often as you can…
I don’t know your habits, but usually there are ways to reducing their cost, if not eliminating them. Just be creative.</p>
<p>Or if offered, swallow your pride and accept parental money. Yes, you’re an adult, and yes, it’s admirable that you’re supporting yourself through university, but there are some things you can’t do on your own.</p>
<p>If you’ve got family nearby, surely they’re willing to bring you some home-cooked food, or lend a hand with bills, or whatever. Shouldn’t jobs and everything else be secondary to your primary job, oh, I don’t know, SCHOOL?</p>
<p>What I try to do is take out a certain amount of cash from the ATM every week and live ONLY on that–that way I don’t go swipe-happy with the debit card because it feels like I’m actually spending money. Plus, if I don’t spend all of it I have rollover for the next week ;)</p>
<p>I just track my expenses in my head. Whether I swipe my AmEx or pay cash, I’m spending money either way.</p>
<p>There are some really good ideas in this thread. One other thing that I thought of is if you can pick your classes early and talk to the professors about what books they are going to be using. Many school libraries have the textbooks available. That way you can save money on buying books (new or used) and you don’t have to worry about selling your books back and only getting 72 cents for a book you paid $300 for! It can be difficult to get your books through the library if you don’t do this super early but I had a lot of friends do this throughout school. Just remember to keep renewing the book or see if you can get an extend loan time that way you don’t have to give it up part way through the term. Good luck…I know it is hard! I worked full-time and went to school full-time and it kicks your butt but it is so worth it when you walk across that stage to get your diploma!</p>