13 (Crazy) Ways Broke College Students Can Save a Buck

I’m not here to tell you to fill out the FASFA, take CLEP exams, or use your college student discount to save money; that’s what parents and academic advisors are for. I’ve got crazier ways broke college students can save a buck. Look, college is a time you’re supposed to learn some independence, get creative, think outside the box. So, that’s exactly what my tips will do: help you get through school in the not-so-typical money-saving fashion.

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1. Save hundreds of dollars and share textbooks with fellow students.

Don’t buy textbooks if you can help it. If you have a roommate or friend in the same class, share theirs or at least go halves. You can also try checking out the book from your school’s library and photocopying the chapters you need or snapping pics with your phone. Most colleges give you free copying credits each semester. Shrink the size and copy two pages at a time.

If these aren’t options, save money and rent your books online at Amazon or other textbook rental sites like Chegg.com and eCampus.com.

2. Turn trash around the college campus into cash.

Got a knack for finding the beauty in all things, including garbage? You’re in luck if you live on or near a college campus, because they are a goldmine of discarded furniture and home goods. Why not pick out some top-notch finds and sell them to earn a few extra bucks? The best times to look for discards are during semester breaks and certainly at the end of the school year, when everyone moves out.

You can sell through various websites and apps such as:

• Facebook Marketplace
• Craigslist
• OfferUp
• Nextdoor
• eBay
• Swappa

ThredUP and Poshmark are also good for making money selling used clothing.

3. Stockpile freebies and samples.

Freebies and samples can come in handy and help you keep money in your pocket. Be sure to also sign up for birthday freebies at restaurants and retailers.

Here are a few other places you can score free goodies:

• Beauty product samples at the makeup counter at Ulta or Sephora
• Toothpaste, dental floss, and toothbrushes from your dentist
• In grocery stores, like the Freeosk at Walmart or Sam’s Club
• In the school health office, they have free contraceptives and samples of over-the-counter medicine.
• At hotels, ask the housekeeping staff if you can grab some extra shampoos, etc off the cart. I always do this and have no shame.

4. Grate unused soap for DIY laundry detergent.

Now that you’re a broke college student you can’t be running out and buying new things to replace your old things. Instead, get crafty and recycle or repurpose your stuff. You’d be surprised at what you can reuse.

Before you read on, be sure to bookmark the KCL Laundry Deals page to stay informed about all the deals.

5. Save on spring break when you rent an RV for less than five bucks a day.

Instead of the traditional expensive spring break week at a bougie beach resort, rent an RV for $5 a day and camp out with your roomies or friends. You can still hit up all the same bars and beaches but won’t have to pay the massive full-season rates for a hotel. This type of deal is cheap because you’re taking the vehicle one way. Yep, you’ll have to fly or rent another RV or car to get back, but this is still cheaper than the cheapest motel.

6. College students get free room and board working on an organic farm.

Looking for something new and different for your next summer break? Help out on an organic farm anywhere in the world and learn about sustainability through WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) and your room and board while there is free.

7. Learn to love Ramen.

Enjoying Ramen noodles cooked, uncooked, as a snack or meal is a rite of passage for any college student. You can take it on the road, too. All you need is hot water, which you can get for free at any Starbucks. This single-serving pasta is downright cheap, like an average of $0.29 a pack cheap. Do a Google search and you’ll find a ton of recipes that’ll help prevent Ramen boredom.

• Kroger: Maruchan Ramen Chicken Flavor 3 ounce, 12 Pack, $2.49, $0.21 a pack
• Target: Maruchan Ramen Chicken Flavor 3 ounce, $0.25
• Albertsons: Maruchan Ramen Chicken Flavor 2.25 ounce, 12 Pack, $4, $0.33 a pack
• Amazon: Maruchan Ramen Chicken Flavor 2.25 ounce, 12 Pack, $4.44, $0.37 a pack

8. Make the dollar store your go-to.

Your local dollar store can be a lifesaver for your wallet. While there are things you shouldn’t buy at the dollar store, there are plenty of dollar deals that can’t you find elsewhere. Some deals can even make you a few bucks. Here’s an example of a recent moneymaker from Dollar General:

Combine coupons and rebate apps like Fetch Rewards or Ibotta to score freebies like this one at Dollar Tree:

Before you read on, be sure to bookmark the KCL Dollar Tree Deals page to stay informed about all the deals.

9. Create reusable toilet paper.

If anything, you need to learn toilet paper can be a high-demand, expensive habit, about $120 a year for one person. Thankfully, alternatives like reusable toilet paper will keep you from throwing money down the tank and help save the environment at the same time.

10. Pick up an easy side hustle.

Of course, making more money is sometimes easier than saving it. If you’ve got some idle time on your hands after you’re done studying, why not try your hand at a side hustle? In addition to online gigs like taking opinion surveys and transcribing audio files, you can donate plasma to a local plasma donation center and make up to $1,000 your first month.

11. Shop bargains at online clothing resale stores.

Online secondhand stores like Poshmark and thredUP sell brand faves like Converse, Gucci, TORRID, and Vans for up to 90% off of retail. You can find other online exclusives like when you create an account or sign up to receive emails or newsletters — you’ll often get a one-time discount. For example, thredUP offers 50% off your first order, which is on top of their already huge discounts! You can also find deals on eBay and Instagram.

12. Coupon, coupon, coupon for free stuff.

Whether it’s for groceries, eating out, or health and beauty products, use coupons. College is no time to worry about being brand loyal. If an item is on sale and you have a coupon for it, it’s your new favorite brand, for now. Where do you find out about coupon deals and how to get them? Download the KCL app and I’ll tell you where to find them and what coupons you need to get every week, along with links to the coupons. Here are examples of a moneymaker and a freebie from Target:

13. Sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime Student and other services.

Want to stream movies, read Kindle books, and listen to Amazon Music for free? Sign up for a six-month trial of Amazon Prime Student. That’s two-thirds of a school year at no cost. Remember to cancel before your trial is up if you don’t want them to automatically charge your card. If you feel like bingeing a series, sign up for a free trial, which can range from a week to a month from your favorite streaming services like Hulu or Netflix.

Once your Hulu trial is up, you’ll only pay $1.99 a month as long as you’re a student. That’s 65% off the regular price of $5.99. Or, you can score a one-month free trial for Spotify Premium Student that includes Hulu and Showtime. After that, you’ll pay $4.99 a month for TV and music.