Worried about how you're going to stay together and stylish while staying on budget in college? Trust me, I get it! I've been there. Through experience, I've discovered a few key hacks that can help you keep some of that cash in your wallet! Keep reading for 8 affordable items that I've found truly save me money in the long run, and I'm sure will help you stick to your college budget.
Hey, y'all! My name is Isabella, and I’m a college student learning how to navigate adulthood right alongside you!! Today, I am going to tell you the 8 Best Things To Buy In College To Save Money & Stay Stylish On A Budget.
*This post contains affiliate links.*
Best things to buy in college to save money
1. gel/Dip manicure kit
Regardless of whether you're someone who likes to have your nails done regularly or just get them done for special occasions, this is a great purchase for both scenarios. I use this at least once every other week in college, and I highly recommend it! Mainly because this kit costs significantly less than paying for your nails to be done just once.
Since college is so packed full of events, you'll likely want your nails done more than you think! With this gel kit, my nail polish lasts about 6 days before it starts to peel off.
2. A good coffee maker
If you're a coffee girl, I highly recommend investing in your own coffee maker. The amount of money you will save by making your coffee at home instead of buying it out is exceptional! (Especially since some places on campus charge extra.)
When I say "invest" in one, I don't mean it has to be expensive. The best part about coffee makers is the wide range of options available for different price ranges. For example, you could purchase a French press on Amazon for $18, a Ninja coffee maker (the one my roommates and I have & love!) for $160, or a Nespresso for $500.
Do some research to find one that suits your needs and budget, and experiment with different coffee types and sweeteners to discover your favorite. And if you take care of it, you can keep it forever!
3. A clothing rental service
Consider a clothing rental service, or rent clothes from friends or family. I use Nuuly for my clothing rental service, and I love it! I've had it for nearly three years now, and I've undoubtedly saved a significant amount of money with it. (By the way, this is not sponsored!)
Nuuly costs $98 per month. And while that may seem like a lot, you get 6 clothing items per month. In college, you will likely use all six of these items easily with date parties, social gatherings, hanging out with friends, church, date nights, birthday parties, and much more.
And! If you have a month where you don't need to rent any items, you can easily pause it.
TIP: Be sure you stay on top of how long you pause it for, whether it's 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, or longer, because it will reinstate your subscription and start billing you once your pause time period is up.
4. Lunch box & meal prep containers
Get a lunch box and meal prep containers so that you can bring meals with you onto campus. Eating out quickly adds up in college! Especially when eating on campus, where they often upcharge for convenience.
I have linked below the exact lunch box that I use when I have a busy day on campus and no time to run home. I find that it fits perfectly in the bottom of my North Face backpack, even with a computer, binder, notebooks, and a jacket. It's a perfect, affordable, and practical option. They also have other colors that are super cute!
Meal prep containers allow you to easily pack your lunch to bring on campus or just pack a yummy movie snack to run to your friend's house! I use the Ello glass meal prep containers, and I love them.
5. Reusable snack bags & silicone stretch lid covers
Along with the lunch box and meal prep containers, reusable snack bags and silicone covers are another great option that will prevent you from having to continue buying Ziplocs or Saran wrap.
I love these silicone stretch lid covers for use as an alternative to Saran Wrap, tinfoil, and the like. These will keep for years and save you money in the long run.
6. Steamer or iron & starch
I recommend buying either a steamer for easy storage, OR an Iron and starch. This will save you from having to dry clean a few items, and of course, will keep you looking put together and stylish.
7. Basic sewing kit
I recommend keeping a basic sewing kit on hand for any fashion emergencies. Getting clothes fixed professionally (especially if you have to pay extra to get it done ASAP) can be costly, so I highly recommend learning how to do things like sew a button back on, tack a top closed, hem a dress, and so on.
Sewing is a skill that, if learned, will not only help you save money in college but also for years to come.
8. Student subscriptions
Cancel your current subscriptions and opt for subscription services that offer student discounts. Monthly subscription fees can add up, so always do a quick Google search to see if your favorite companies offer student discounts. Also, look for companies that bundle together multiple services in one package.
Some of my favorites are Spotify + Hulu (Bundle), Amazon Prime + Prime Video (Bundle), Grammarly, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
For a full list of student discounts, check out The Best Online Student Discounts For College Students.
A piece of advice
Make a budget for yourself and stick to it. Whether you pay for all your purchases yourself, your parents pay for some purchases, or your parents pay for all of them, this is an essential life skill.
I hope this article has helped you discover some truly underrated ways to save money in college! All 8 of these items are things I personally use in college and find that they save me money, so I hope they help you too. For more college advice, check out 5 Crucial College Tips I Wish I Knew or 10+ Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving Into My Dorm Room At College.
With Love,
Isabella XO
100% agree with all of this!!!