Best Financial Advice for Students

Many college students get amazing grades in school, but fail when it comes to personal finance. Many take out student loans and don't fully comprehend that they are going to have to pay it back later. They think that they need everything now and don't realize that they are in college, meaning that you can't necessarily have everything that you want.

Here are a some tips and ideas that you can use to avoid flunking personal finance.

1. Start with a budget. Write down what you think you'll spend in a month and then check to see how close your estimate was. Budget your expenses and bills as well as groceries and other necessities. Don't forget to add fun things to your budget such as going to the movies and eating out with friends.

2. Try a budgeting smartphone app. It's not always easy to find time to come up with a budget as a student. There are a great (and free) budgeting apps and computer programs out there that can help reduce the time that it may take to do a monthly budget.

3. Limit credit card debt. Learning to manage your credit is important, and it definitely helps to establish a credit record for after you graduate. Many banks offer a credit building card that is perfect for students. There are also store credit card that don't have annual fees, and is less tempting to use all the time because it can't be used everywhere. You can also make a rule for yourself, if you want something that you can't afford then simply wait to get it.

4. Only take out loans for what you need. If a loan provides more than is truly needed, then you should pay the extra back immediately before it starts racking up interest costs.

5. Manage your meals. Meal planning can sometimes be difficult while you are in school. While on campus you can either bring food with you or find cheaper cafeteria food. For other meals find deals and coupons for the grocery store, stock up on cheaper foods.

6. Shop around for books. Buying new texts at campus bookstores may be a lot more expensive than other options. Check Amazon to make sure that you get the best deal. Amazon offers eBooks, rentals and used books and they even have an awesome program for students. You can get Amazon Student (same as Amazon Prime) for free, all you need to do is use your school email. Click Here for more information.

7. Part-time job for income. There are many places that hire students and accommodate their busy school schedules. There are often jobs available on campus too.

8. Watch out for hidden costs. Make sure that you know what you are getting yourself into when getting loans, buying books or even when signing up for a club.

9. Begin a savings account. Spend a little less each month and use the extra money that you have to set up a savings account. Put money away for a rainy day. 

10. Free Fun. Look for ways that you can have fun for free. Most colleges offer free activities that you can have fun, unwind and meet new people. College shouldn't be all work and no play, have some fun. 


What do you do to stay financially smart in college?

Making Extra Money - Great for College Students

So, you want to know some quick ways that you can make money as college student? Well, there are lots of opportunities online that you can use to earn extra money. You can use the extra money that you get for groceries, going to the movies or whatever you want. Any extra cash can help while you are in college. Here are a few ideas:

1. Be a tutor - If you enjoy and do well in English, Math, Science or any other subject, then you can tutor students that need help. Talk to other students in your classes, create flyers and get paid to tutor.

2. Taking Online Paid Surveys - Online surveys are very popular and easy to do. There are lots of companies that want to know value about their services and products. One example of an online paid survey website is opinionoutpost.com. Just create your account, take surveys and get paid.

3. Become a Freelance Writer - If you like writing, then freelance writing may be a cool option. You don't need a degree or qualifications to be a writer. Do a search for Freelance Writing (there are lots of websites out there) and submit your writing.

4. Sell Items on eBay - If you like business, then eBay may be another good choice. First you need to become a seller by creating an account with eBay. You can start of by selling things that you already have lying around. You can also buy cheap items online or from retail and thrift stores and sell on eBay for a profit.

This list is just a few of the extra money ideas that I have found to be successful. I hope that you have success trying out some of these options, let me know if you do. Also, let me know if you know of any other ways that you can make extra money in college.

7 Great Things to do this Memorial Day Weekend!

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, which brings up a question. What will you do? If you are at all like me then you are excited for the the extra day off, but you still don't have a clue what to do. Well, I've come up with a list of things that might help you out so that you don't end up sitting around in your PJ's watching TV all day. Try some of these out:

1. Celebrate the holiday for what it is: Memorial Day (not to be confused with Veteran's Day) is a holiday where we remember the men and women who died while serving for the United States Armed Forces. Go to a parade and rep the red, white and blue.

2. Visit graves of loved ones: Pick some flowers and bring them to the graves and/or memorials of your loved ones who have passed on. 

3. Take a hike, get outside: Get outside with friends and family and go for a hike, a walk, a bike ride, or whatever you want. Take time to smell the roses. It's not everyday that you can hangout in the outdoors.

4. Have a picnic: Go to a park and have a good old fashioned picnic. Bring a basket full of food, a picnic blanket, and whomever you want to enjoy it all with. 

5. Catch up on some shut eye: It's the perfect time to sleep in (keep hitting that snooze button). You may even have the time to take a nice nap later.

6. Break out the grill: Barbecues are awesome and the perfect way to celebrate and kickoff summer. Get some people together and throw some meat (or veggies) on the grill and smother it in BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, etc.

7. Throw the old pigskin: Play some sports! You can play baseball, football, basketball, soccer, hockey, badminton, bocce ball, frisbee or whatever you want. Have fun with it!

I hope that this list will give you some fun ideas for this Memorial Day weekend so that you do more than cleaning, catching up on work or chilling in your jammies. Now get out there as have some fun!

Hello Peeps!

Welcome to The Poor College Student blog!

Everyone can relate to this page in some way... even you. Give yourself a break from your day by reading humorous stories and posts, viewing pictures and videos that will make you laugh and smile, and learning great advice. You don't have to search everywhere on the web to find great content, you can catch it all right here.

A little bit about me:
I'm currently a college student (as you probably already guessed). I love learning and discovering ways to make it fun. Speaking of fun, I love to have fun too. I love to laugh, but I love making others laugh even more. I love life. My hobbies include (but are not limited to) snowboarding, paintballing, skim boarding, swimming, surfing, playing video games (1v1 me bruh), laughing, coloring with crayons, hiking, biking, playing pranks on friends, watching movies, listening to music, and chilling.

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