Three Ways to Cut Down Everyday Expenses

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Managing finances and keeping a budget is a tricky thing for a lot of people. For college students, being frugal can be uniquely challenging. Below are different ways you can save money while in college that you might not have thought about before.

1. Cut unnecessary coffee costs

For a lot of college students, coffee is the go-to caffeination. However, buying coffee can be a sneaky way for money to leak out of your wallet. If you like to go to cafés frequently, spending $5 adds up quickly. For example, if you go to a coffee shop every day for five days and pay $5 for coffee, that’s $25 you could’ve saved. However, if you went to the store and bought a jug of cold brew coffee for $5, that could last you at least five to six days. Going to a café can be fun with friends on special occasions, but you shouldn’t rely on it daily.

But, if you do grab coffee with your friends frequently, sign up for a rewards program. For example, if you sign up for the rewards program at BFCAT, you’ll get a free drip coffee and gain points to receive free drinks and food.

2. Be mindful when purchasing groceries

Buying groceries is becoming increasingly expensive, but there are ways to cut costs. The number one thing you want to avoid is waste. If you are purchasing a lot of perishable foods, you should ask yourself if you need that much to last through the week. Because if you’re not careful, you could buy more than you need and the items could spoil if not used, wasting the money you spent.

Another tip is meal planning. Instead of spontaneously shopping and grabbing things off the shelf, you should plan what you’ll eat to save money. You can buy freeze-safe containers and put the cooked meals in there, freeze the food, and reheat it when it’s time to eat. Freezing food avoids spoilage, and you'll have meals prepped ahead of time.

Another way you can save money is to be aware of sales and coupons. A lot of stores nowadays have apps that advertise sales and have rewards programs. These apps are easy to use and conveniently at your fingertips.

A last piece of advice for saving money on groceries is to take advantage of your meal plan. The benefit of having your meals prepared for you in Alex’s or the Brig is both a time-saver and a money-saver. Sign up for a meal plan that includes flex points and use these points towards coffee in Riverview Café, snacks in the Brig, or off-campus at Papa Johns. Be mindful to budget these points just like money, though.

3. Hacks for gas

If you travel a lot, then gas might be a huge expense for you. However, there are ways you can save. One way is by using apps like Upside and Gas Buddy. These show gas prices at different gas stations on a map. It might be worth going the extra mile to save ten cents a gallon. If you sign up with Upside, you can get cashback on gas and restaurants, and it’s not a credit card.

Another way to save on gas is by signing up for gas cards. Companies like Kwik Fill and GetGo give reward cards with no credit line that help you save a couple of cents. However, be careful when you look for cards because sometimes companies aren’t clear if they are credit cards. Ask before you sign up.

A final tip is to be aware of price changes in different areas you might visit. Some places in rural Pennsylvania might have cheaper gas than in a city like downtown Pittsburgh. If you happen to adventure into Ohio, gas prices there are typically less expensive, too. So be mindful of regional prices and you’ll save a lot of money.

With mindfulness, self-control, and new savings tips, you might be surprised how much money you can save. Your bank account will thank you.

Elizabeth Kyle ‘24

Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.

May 15, 2024

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