Budgeting will help cut down these costs significantly because it will make you more cautious of your spending.
Tips for success
Create an Excel document of your expenses. Tracking everything from groceries to school supplies will make you more conscious of how much you are spending.
Apply for scholarships when possible, and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to see if you qualify for certain grants.
Devise a pre-arranged plan before each semester, detailing where you plan to spend your money. If you divide your money into specific categories, you’ll be more aware of what you’re spending and where you’re spending it.
Make a list of wants versus needs for your budget and designate how much you will use per category.
Carry cash with you at all times so you don’t use your credit or debit card mindlessly. It’s easy to constantly spend on your card, but with cash, every expense is tangible.
Organize all your receipts. This organization will help when you need to return something or compare your receipts to your credit card or debit card statement.
