“Broke” is a word that I’m sure we’ve all heard used to describe college kids. Hey, there’s even a good chance you’ve used it to describe yourself. Even though being ~broke~ can mean different things to different people, who doesn’t love to save money? Here are some quick tips for saving money and making some, too.
1. Learn to budget. Set aside what you typically spend on food, toiletries and other necessities items on a regular basis (i.e. monthly, weekly, etc.) Then, take out a specific amount of cash for extra items, such as going out to eat. This will give you a better idea of how much money you are spending.
2. Use a savings account. If you work or have a regular source of income, make sure to put a certain portion into savings from each pay check. For example, if you get paid $100 biweekly from a part-time job, consider putting $50 into savings every time you get paid. Saving $100 a month will quickly add up and allow you to have money for future important things, rather than wasting money on pointless, spur-of-the-moment desires.
3. Sell clothes you no longer wear. Online consignment stores and apps have become more and more popular. I have tried both buying and selling on several different platforms, but my favorite has by far been thredup.com. “Thred Up” is an online consignment store that is extremely easy to use. To sell clothes, simply request a “clean out bag,” and the company will send you a large bag with a prepaid shipping label. Requesting the bag is completely free if you are ok with unwanted clothes being recycled. If you wish to have the non-recycled clothes returned, you can pay for $10.99 insurance. In total, I have sent three bags of clothes to “Thred Up.” I only used the using return insurance once because I had many brand name items that I was afraid of losing money on. “Thred Up” is particular about product quality, but they are extremely easy to work with and give the seller a good and fair profit.
4. Shop food deals downtown. Pay attention to daily specials down town when you are going out to eat. Moe’s Monday ($6 for a burrito, chips and a drink), Tuesdays at BGR ($5.99 for a burger, fries and a drink), Wednesday’s Dollar Slice Night at Todaro’s…
5. Hooked app. If you don’t have this app on your phone already, download it now! There are so many advertised food deals in the Clemson area. If you’re looking for an excuse to devour some Osaka, this is the app for you.
6. ibotta app. This is another great app for saving money and earning cash back rewards. You can purchase items online through the app or take a picture of your receipt when you shop at one of 293 participating stores, like Publix or Walmart. You get cash back when you buy certain products, and it really adds up when you pay attention to participating products.
7. retailmenot.com & other similar promo code websites. Websites of this sort are super hit or miss, but if you are shopping online, it is always worth a shot. Happy shopping!