DIARY OF A BIOCHEM MAJOR

This is a bit different my regular posts but I think all you college students out there would appreciate a bit of financial help! Basically as a junior in college, I have to stretch my money as much as possible and I figure most of you are in a similar situation as me. So here are my top 5 ways of saving some cash!

5. Only buy essentials!

Ok so this might seem as something straight forward, but it’s so easy to burn through so much money by getting something just because it looks shiny. Before I buy something (including food!) I always think to myself “Do I really need this?” and often the answer is a resounding “No”. Sure it might seem like a good idea at the time, but I doubt that extra pair of shoes, new games, etc is worth the cost. Wait for it to go on sale or try to find a cheaper alternative.

4. Set a budget (and follow it!)

Lets face it, those little expenses can add up quite quickly. Lets say you get a mocha from Starbucks everyday during the week. At ~$3 per mocha that’s $15 per week or $720 a year! That money could be used on a down payment for a car or even a weekend get away. Set aside a certain amount of money every week to use for your expenses and don’t go over it. You’d be surprised by how money you can save by simply sticking to a budget.

3. Don’t buy that much alcohol

This might seem kinda weird but lets face it, alcohol can cost a lot of money. A good bottle of vodka or rum can easily run you $15-$25. If you have a party every weekend, this could add up very very quickly. 

2. Fix it yourself

Getting things (computers, cars, etc) can cost an arm and a leg. Learn to do some basic maintenance yourself. I’m pretty good with computers and I’ve been able to fix all the issues I’ve run into. Same thing with cars too, its always good to learn some basic maintenance techniques so you can avoid racking up a huge bill from the mechanic. Sure it might take some time and effort to learn these things, but in the end it pays off quite well.

1. Cook your own meals

Even the sketchiest Chinese delivery food still costs about $8 (and that doesn’t include the hospital bills). Cooking your meals can save you a ton of money! I’ve done some calculations and I found out that if I made a stuffed chicken breast with a side salad and a rice side dish it would cost me roughly ~$3. Good luck finding something that cheap anywhere else. Plus cooking is a lot of fun (hey its just applied chemistry!) and its usually more delicious (not to mention healthier) than many other options.