Saving money in college..

[Syringer]

To college people..when you have excess money around, that is post-tuition, post-housing money..do you find yourself saving most of it into an account, or spending most of it?

 

[bunker]

Hell, I got a 30 hour a week job so I could spend more while I was in college!

I figured I'm young and want to have the most fun possible, saving for later be damned!

Do I now wish I had saved some? Sure, but I wouldn't give up the things (read beer) I spent the money on at the time.

 

[techfuzz]

Excess money??? I wish!!!

After paying my tuition, parking, and books, whatever leftover money goes to pay for my apartment, food, car insurance, bills, and anything else that is a requirement to survive. I don't have anything left over which is why I also have a full-time job.

I would be saving for an engagement ring, but it's either that or we continue to eat for the next few weeks.

techfuzz

 

[datalink7]

Originally posted by: techfuzz
Excess money??? I wish!!!

After paying my tuition, parking, and books, whatever leftover money goes to pay for my apartment, food, car insurance, bills, and anything else that is a requirement to survive. I don't have anything left over which is why I also have a full-time job.

I would be saving for an engagement ring, but it's either that or we continue to eat for the next few weeks.

techfuzz

Heh.. same with me. I have no money at all. And I am particularly broke because I can't get a full time job (I am taking 19 credits, and then ROTC takes up most of my other time... I was gone from Friday at 1:00 till Sunday at 9:00PM for instance).

 

[lancestorm]

Don't college students do the right thing anymore? More beer!

 

[PricklyPete]

When I was in college I always had a job. I paid for all my living expenses, car, etc. as well as all the "fun" things I liked to do. Just about all of my tuition was paid for by scholarships, but living is not cheap.

I am sure I could have cut down on my "fun" time and eaten ramen (sp?) noodles all the time, but that would have sucked! You usually only go through college once, so enjoy it. Sure, saving some money/investing would have been the responsible thing...and might have helped me out some after college...but that doesn't sound fun at all to me. But if partying is not something you want to do and saving will make you a lot happier...just eat ramen noodles/mac'n cheese and spend all of your time in the library or at a full time job. I'm sure you will be able to save a lot.

 

[techfuzz]

Actually this is my second time through college. I went for 4 years the first time, but didn't finish my degree. Now I'm back at it again working on trying to finish it up after a couple years away. I'm not sure I could live off ramen noodles like I used to. I much prefer cooking up and having a good burger or pasta dish instead!

techfuzz

 

[Danman]

I work a 30 hour a job right now, and it's at the end of my first year here. I'm able to pay all of my bills and just get buy with buying some hot deals (i.e. Hot Deals and Fatwallet). If I had extra money, I would definitely save it. I just usually don't.

 

[Corporate Thug]

i spend it over the course of the quarter

 

[sandmanwake]

Full time grad school, two part time jobs. Paid for undergrad school, grad school, car, books, utilities, food, misc living expenses, computer, rent, insurence, ect. myself. Got a Roth IRA I rolled over from a 401K I had while co-oping and contributed 3k into it this last tax year, a Sharebuilder account for DRIP investing, a Scottrade account for value investing, and an ING Direct account to earn 2% interest on cash I haven't found a good place to invest yet, but is not emergency cash. Also managing to keep around 7k/month in my main checking account for emergencies, bills, and quick buy and resale opprotunities. Would have had a lot more, but stuff happens in life sometimes that sucks.

Oh and anyone who says that you have to spend all or almost all your pay cheque to have fun in college are smoking crack.

 

[Ranger X]

Have fun while you're in college. You will regret it and turning back time isn't an option.

 

[acemcmac]

I'm an undergrad working full time... money I don't use I just throw into the bank accounts. I love watching the zeros go by :beer:

I usually dont feel bad about buying things like spring breaks or audigy 2zs's... I'm stingy with my money... until it's *me* we're talking about.

after all... I have to live with myself...

 

[TommyVercetti]

I saved it all. I saved around $12K of my Financial Aid, internship and co-op money. Could have saved a lot more though.

 

[Beattie]

saved about 99% of my income.

 

[FuZoR]

still in college and most of money is going towards my car

 

[Savij]

Well, I saved it towards nice stuff that I knew I would want to keep even after I graduated. It wasn't a whole lot, but I've got a nice start on a music/home theater system and it beat the hell out of what most college students had.

 

[AgentDingBat]

Saved most of it until I saw something sweet on the Hot Deals forum.

 

[amdskip]

I don't really earn that much money while at school. I work 5 hours a week at a helpdesk and 15 non paid in the dorms supporting users but I get a free room so thats $4k/year. If I have any extra, its all saved.

 

[Shanteli]

it is so hard to break even after tuition, books, living, food, insurance...and income coming from some small PT student job and maybe financial aid

 

[Raj]

pay off loans or save.

sigh.