1. Rent, don’t buy
Textbooks can be awfully expensive. A sure-fire way to save money is to rent your books for the semester instead of buying.
Renting is always the cheaper option, and if you’re worried about being able to highlight and take notes, most book lenders permit it.
However, for your important core classes, you might want to consider buying a book that you think could be useful in the future.
2. Use your student discount
You’re a student! Everyone already knows you’re broke.
Whenever possible, ask if there’s a student discount. No one is going to judge you for trying to save a buck.
The Bulls in the Burg program also provides discounts at participating stores in downtown St. Petersburg. Did you know that USFSP students (with a valid student ID) get a 10 percent discount at Ferg’s Sports Bar and can ride the PSTA bus for free?
Check out the link below for the full list of discounts.
There are also deals online. Some notable sites that offer student discounts include Spotify, Amazon Prime, and the New York Times.
Bulls in the Burg Discounts: http://www.usfspconnect.com/student-discounts/
3. Live with less
Maybe you’ve got a bunch of stuff laying around that you don’t need.
Capitalize on that. Make a quick buck by selling old clothes, books, or things that you just don’t need anymore.
By using the Sell-A-Bulls Facebook page, you can even sell your old stuff to others in the USFSP community. It’s a great way to clean up and earn yourself a few dollars in the process.
You can also try to avoid making impulse purchases.
Your wallet will thank you for it.
4. Look for scholarships
You hear this all the time, but it’s advice you need to take.
Scholarships aren’t guaranteed money, but if you win, someone will be paying you to attend college. Think about it for a second…free money.
Try looking for local scholarships instead of national ones. Your chances of winning a scholarship are much better when you’re not pitting yourself against every other college student in the U.S.
For more information about available scholarships, be sure to visit the Financial Aid office in Bayboro Hall between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon – Fri.
