NINE SAVINGS TIPS FOR STUDENTS
HOW TO START SAVING AS A STUDENT
If you're a student handling your finances and trying to make the most of your paycheck, you've likely noticed how quickly expenses can sneak up on you. Which, of course, makes it easier to see the benefits of saving money. Check out these nine savings tips—from apps and digital music to fast food lunches and movie date nights—to help keep your costs and your savings growing.
1. MAKE THE MOST OF ONLINE REBATES AND REBATE APPS
From online shopping to in-store grocery runs, a variety of cashback websites and apps (such as Swagbucks, Ebates, SavingStar, and MyPoints) can help you earn back money on your purchases. Depending on the platform, simply shop through the site or snap a photo of your receipt and upload it after you make a purchase. And, if you’re a Renasant Rewards Extra account holder, you’re in luck! You’ll find over 400,000 coupons and exclusive deals from stores and restaurants nationwide waiting for you. For more cashback opportunities on everyday essentials like food, drinks and toiletries, check out Ibotta and Checkout51.
2. SCORE AFFORDABLE MOVIE TICKETS
Many movie theaters have membership programs where you pay a monthly fee for perks like free tickets, snack discounts and no online ticket fees. Your local theater may also have matinee prices for early shows or discount days when all movies are cheaper. As an alternative, you could wait until the movie is available to rent from Redbox, comes to your streaming platform, or releases on cable.
3. CHECK OUT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY
These days, libraries offer more than just books — you can also access music, movies, TV shows, and more with just your library card. Some libraries even provide audiobooks and digital book downloads.
4. BECOME A MEMBER
Membership sites and clubs can provide significant perks for students, offering free or discounted membership fees and enhanced benefits. Take Amazon Prime for instance. While regular Prime members pay an annual fee, each student membership starts with a complimentary six-month free trial. This includes free two-day shipping on most Amazon orders, access to a library of free shows and movies and one complimentary Kindle book each month.
5. UTILIZE YOUR STUDENT ID
Don’t hesitate to show your student ID and ask about student discounts wherever you go. Whether it’s museums, clothing stores, restaurants, bookstores, or any other place you visit regularly, it’s always worth asking.
6. SAVE ON SOFTWARE
Whether it’s for class assignments or personal projects like website design, video editing, or photo editing, having software is crucial. You can save up to half the price on popular software programs on sites like Journeyed.com, which offer significant discounts specifically for students and educators.
7. CREATE A LIST
A key money management tip is to create a plan and put it in writing. Whether it’s a grocery shopping list or a list of essentials for the month, compile it and stick to it. Prevent impulsive purchases chip away at your savings..
8. OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT
While a piggy bank may have been your go-to for saving as a kid, as you enter adulthood and start earning, it’s time for a different approach to managing your money. Renasant provides a range of checking and savings accounts tailored to different spending and saving objectives.
9. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
You’re never too young to consider your future, and the sooner you begin saving for retirement, the more you'll have when the time comes. So, even if you haven't decided on your career path yet, it's never too soon to start preparing for life after work.
HOW RENASANT CAN HELP
Making the most of your money during your college days can pave the way for a smoother transition after graduation. Even a small amount of extra savings can make it easier to enter your field of work after graduation – especially if you need some extra time to find the right job for you. Keep up with money-saving tips and tricks by staying connected with Renasant Nation. You can also partner with Renasant Bank to get on track with your finances. Contact our banking professionals to start saving today!