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As most of you are well aware, I made the decision back in the summer to go back to school. The choice was made rather last minute and I just squeezed in for admission. Because of that we really had to be on our A-game when it came to our finances and spending wisely. God thankfully provided a great job for me that has worked out beautifully with my class schedule. This job has provided more than enough money for me to pay for school month to month to save me from taking out a large loan. When I am done with school I will have about 80% of my school payed for and the other 20% will hopefully be saved by the time the bill is due. This allows me to be able to skip all the interest payments on the loan both during school and when I’m finished with school.
Ways I save money while attending school
As most of you are well aware, I made the decision back in the summer to go back to school. The choice was made rather last minute and I just squeezed in for admission. Because of that we really had to be on our A-game when it came to our finances and spending wisely. God thankfully provided a great job for me that has worked out beautifully with my class schedule. This job has provided more than enough money for me to pay for school month to month to save me from taking out a large loan. When I am done with school I will have about 80% of my school payed for and the other 20% will hopefully be saved by the time the bill is due. This allows me to be able to skip all the interest payments on the loan both during school and when I’m finished with school.Besides interest payments there are a few smaller, but still significant ways that I keep costs down. All the ways that I mention will seem small, but keep in mind that it would really add up over the course of a year. The first way is with dinner. My classes are right over the dinner hour so we are given a break to eat. Instead of leaving campus and grabbing a quick bite to eat, I take my own food. I was surprised to find out that everyone in my class is doing the same thing. Every once in a while people will leave for food but a majority of the time we just hang out and eat together. We all can sit together and we always have a blast socializing and talking about our days. So not only am I saving myself from the cost of gas and food to go out, I am getting to know the people in my classes and have built some wonderful relationships with them.
Another way is save is on gas. The campus is right in between my home and work. More times than not, I get out of work two hours before my classes are set to begin. But, instead of driving all the way and then driving back out in the same direction, I opt to go to school early. It saves a significant amount in gas and it gives me ample time to study where I may not otherwise get it done. It has actually worked out quite well for me.
The next way I save is with what I take to drink. Instead of buying bottled water for me to take to class (water is required) I actually take a water bottle from work. I’m a huge fan of vitamin water and it is at work for me to drink. So during the day I will drink a bottle of the Vitamin water like I always do, then I’ll throw that empty bottle in my purse. When I get to school, I’ll fill it up at the water fountain and use that instead. Then before I leave I just toss it in the recyclable bin. It saves me money, ensures the bottle will be recycled, and saves me from having to wash out a reusable bottle every day.
A great way I have found to save money is to rent textbooks for a fraction of the cost of buying them. While there are a few different companies that offer this service, the only one I have used and can recommend is Chegg. Bonus: Chegg plants a tree for every book that you rent.
Wow, this post reminds me of my schooldays. I like the way you bring your own food but I don't share the same passion for vitamin water. Normal tap water will do.
Yeah it's surprising the money you can save by taking your own food and water. It's more effort but definitely worth the extra time. Thanks for the comment!
I've heard of Chegg before but have never used it. How does it work?
One way to avoid "empty calories" is to buy Vita Rain at Costco. It is a knock-off for Vitaminwater, a lot cheaper, has all the vitamins and has 0 calories to boot.
Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo
Hello !!
I am Piter Kokoniz. Just want to tell, that your blog is really cool
And want to ask you: is this blog your hobby?
Sorry for my bad english:)
Thank you:)
Piter.
Piter, thanks for stopping by! Yes, this is a hobby of ours, glad you like it!
This all makes sense to me, and to be honest I would have a hard time understanding people that would do things differently, like driving up and more then necessary, go out for diner, get bottled water. IMHO bottled water is a waste of money, and an unnecessary burden on the environment, whenever potable tap water is at hand.