How to Keep More Money by Buying What You Need

This is a guest post by Coleen Torres. You can also write about saving money on your car.

It can be hard to discern what things you need to spend money on for college and what things are purely driven by the desire to own them. It’s easy to get caught up in being “on your own” for the first time and you can quickly end up over-spending on fancy new technology items or things you deem necessary. But when it all comes down to it, there’s definitely a pretty discernible line between what you need and what you want.

Need: Textbooks vs. Want: New Textbooks

Obviously you have to get the textbooks that are required for the class – your successfulness in the course hinges on it. But you don’t have to buy brand new versions of them. Instead check out the used bookstore on campus, search websites like Craig’s List or Ebay for books that previous students are trying to sell, and even look into places that offer textbook rentals. The value of the textbook will decrease almost immediately after you buy it so you’re better off purchasing a secondhand copy or borrowing it for a lesser fee.

Need: Cell phone vs. Want: Smartphone

It’s really easy to think that you need to have the latest smartphone when you see everyone else whipping out their iPhones or Androids. However a standard cell phone will work just as well as one equipped with all the bells and whistles and is considerably cheaper.

Need: Mindless Entertainment vs. Want: Cable TV

Cable is an expensive cost that can be eliminated if you’re trying to save money, especially with the ability to pick up dollar movies at places like Redbox and stream television to your computer via the internet. While it’s a nice luxury to have, it really is just that: a luxury.

Need: Money vs. Want: Credit Card

Walk onto just about any college campus and you will be flooded with vendors trying to get you signed up for their credit cards. Signing up for a credit card is just asking for trouble though; before you know it all those purchases will add up and you’ll be so far into debt you won’t know how to even begin to get out. Skip the credit card and look into securing a part-time job instead. No car? No problem. Most campuses offer plenty of part-time jobs for students so that you can work without even leaving the school.

Need: Computer vs. Want: Tablet

Even if you don’t technically need a personal computer because you can access them at the school library, you’re usually better off having one at home that you can get onto anytime for research and schoolwork. That doesn’t mean you need the latest tablet though. While tablets are great for recreational use, a standard computer will fit your school needs much better.

College is an expensive endeavor, no doubt, but it’s easy to save money in unlikely places. You just have to put aside your feelings of want for having all of the fancy extras and determine what it is you really need and what you can actually live without. You might even find that you don’t miss certain things once they’re gone.

Are there any other things you have wanted but then made the smart move and got only what you actualy needed? Let us know in the comments.

This is a guest post by Coleen Torres from local phone service. You can find more about her at her profile.

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