Money is vital at all stages of life, but it is especially difficult to come by and, more importantly, to keep for most students. Fortunately, I've got your back. I'm going to show you how to save money as a student without working, whether you're living off of your savings or relying only on student loans.



1. Make and stick to a budget




While at undergrad, I used to hear my friends whine about how they never had enough money but never bothered to track their expenditures. How can you possibly save money if you have no understanding of where your money is going before the semester begins? As you begin the semester, log your expenses against your planned line-item amounts on your phone or on paper to ensure that you stay on track with your spending.




2. Be selective with textbooks 



Buying textbooks is the bane of every student's existence; spending your hard-earned money on books that you will barely open is not a pleasant experience, but there are ways around it. When I was in school, my favorite way to avoid paying hefty textbook fees was to consult a library copy of the textbook as needed for the few times that I would need to read the textbook.


I didn't mind hanging out in the library, but if you don't like it, don't worry, I have some other options for you. You can make friends with someone in the class and split the book cost 50/50, or you can rent a book instead of buying it. If you want to keep the book for the future, offer the e-book to avoid the printing cost of the textbook and save a few trees in the process.


3. Cooking your own meals 




Chef de cuisine cooking your own meals, whether it's a craft dinner or a five-course meal, will save you a lot of money while you're a student. The average student food bill for a month is $250 USD, which includes three meals per day. The average lunch at your school cafeteria or fast-food joint costs around ten dollars a meal or $30 a day if you eat out.

Chef Ramsay method number four: party on the cheap During my seven years of post-secondary education, I made it a mission to party on the cheap. Some nights, I even made money going out as I would find money at the bar left by people who had a few too many.


4. Detach from social media 





Now, before you go off on a rant about how free social media sites like Facebook and Instagram are, consider this money-saving technique.


Let me explain why there are hidden costs to this behavior. Have you ever used social media and experienced FOMO (fear of missing out) because you saw your friends enjoying a concert or wearing their new expensive outfits? While social media appears to be harmless, it is affecting our spending habits.


For example, if you see your friends constantly partying, you will be more inclined to go to a theme the next time you get the chance, costing you money and reducing your savings potential. The same goes for seeing your favorite influencer wearing a new outfit that you now must have. In short, social media is making us more inclined to spend, and as a student saving is difficult enough with the high tuition and living expenses.


As a result, reduce your time spent on social media to avoid wasteful spending; believe me, your bank account will thank you.