When you first receive acceptance to college, there are many emotions going through your head. How will you adjust to a new city? Will you make friends quickly? What classes will you take in the first semester?
Aside from those concerns, you are probably also worried about finances. Even if you are receiving scholarships and financial aid, living in a major city can be expensive.
Instead of spending the next four years unable to buy anything or go anywhere, you can live differently. We’ve created a guide outlining our top four tips for living luxuriously despite being on a student budget.
Lowering your most significant monthly costs is the most effective way to ensure you can live comfortably. Living on campus at any university in California is extremely expensive. Taking advantage of off-campus USC student housing can save you hundreds of dollars every month, giving you a lot more spending money.
There are so many fantastic off-campus housing options in the USC area. Consider renting an affordable studio apartment or even renting a room in a larger apartment or house. The latter would also help you to make new friends and quickly settle into a new city.
Come up with a rough calculation of how much money you will earn each month, either through part-time jobs, scholarship funds, or allowances from your parents. The less money you spend on rent, the more you have to spend on enjoying yourself.
Many students need to realize how much money they spend on eating on campus, especially when running from one class to the next. Spend a few hours each week buying groceries and meal prepping for the rest of the week. That way, you will have breakfast and lunches covered for most days, allowing you to eat on a budget when you go to class or work.
People assume that meal prep is only possible if they have experience cooking, but that is not necessarily true. You can always prepare easy items like eggs and cheese sandwiches or no-bake granola bars. Salads and sandwiches are also excellent options for weekday breakfasts and lunches.
By meal prepping, you can reduce your eating expenses from 50 to 75 percent during weekdays. That saves you a lot of money and grants you the freedom to eat nearly anywhere you want for dinner.
While you cannot become a resident advisor (RA) in your first year, this should be an option when you are a sophomore. An RA is there to help manage and assist the other students in their dorm.
Consider going the RA route if you still pay too much rent, despite finding a room in a house or apartment. As a resident advisor, you get free room and board at a college dorm. You are conveniently located in the middle of campus while your living expenses decrease drastically.
Remember that you will have responsibilities as an RA, and you cannot shirk them because you are too busy with classes or a part-time job. As you adjust to campus life during your first year, talk to any RAs you encounter and ask them how much of their time the job takes up during a given week.
Another expense that college students should avoid in California is owning a car. While you may think you need a car to get around in Southern California, it is not necessarily true for college students. If you live relatively close to your campus and do not have to travel far for a part-time job, you do not need constant access to a car.
Buying a used bike and proper safety gear is a modest expense, especially when compared to a single month’s car insurance payment. A road or mountain bike will serve you very well. Riding a bicycle can significantly reduce your commute time compared to walking, allowing you to explore areas further away from campus.
Being a college student does not have to mean spending the next few years counting every dollar in your pocket.
By understanding your budget limits, finding an affordable place to live, and learning where you can most effortlessly save money, you can have a wonderful experience at university.
Not only do our tips help you live more luxuriously, but they also help you focus on your academics and student life. Make sure to have one of the best essay writing services that help me write my essay. By delegating your written assignments, you do not worry about your grades. Instead of constantly worrying about money, you can spend that time and energy learning and evolving.
