We recently discussed dining and credit cards, and today we’ll continue with financially savvy tips about shopping and scholarships.
Thrifty shopping
I used to hate shopping at thrift stores like Goodwill. I liked going to a store and finding the style shirt I wanted and quickly locating my size on the nice, clutter-free rack. But then I realized how great––and inexpensive––my thrift-store finds could be. I can almost always find great name-brand clothing in like-new condition for $4 or less. Do you realize how many outfits I could come up with for the amount I’d spend on one pair of pants at the actual store? And no one can tell the difference. I recently bought a $60+ pair of Gap pants for $2 at Goodwill. Lots of compliments––especially when I tell people how little I paid for them.
Scholarships
There are scholarships out there for everything. Sports, academics, ethnicity, hobbies, interests, accomplishments…the list could go on and on. And with the Internet, these scholarships are very easy to find. Unfortunately, many of them are never given away because no one applies for them. Scholarships are one of the best ways to help pay for college. There are thousands available. I recommend looking for legitimate scholarships online and applying to as many as possible. Most will require an essay––or several––but the time spent writing one could really pay off. Even if you only receive a handful of scholarships from the dozens you apply for, that is money that you won’t have to pay yourself. And if you’re not starting college until next year, this is the perfect time to start looking for scholarships. Don’t wait until the last minute (although, if you have, don’t let that stop you!). Record the deadline for each scholarship, and mark them in your favorites on your computer. You don’t have to be a freshman to get a scholarship, so even if you’ve already finished some school, keep applying to make the rest of your time at college financially easier.
Financially fit
Although school is costing much more now than ever, there are plenty of ways to cut the costs of college. Start now by being responsible with your money––the money God has given you. Be creative and thoughtful with your spending, and hopefully you will leave college in a few years more financially fit than when you started.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5
Have any tips for saving money or frugal spending while in college? Leave a comment and let us know!
By Lisa Grimenstein
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