4 Ways to Find Extra Money as a Cash Strapped Student
It’s no secret that students often live on limited budgets. Even if you’re still living at home, taking courses online, or taking other precautions to cut costs, you’re still going to be spending a lot on everything from transport to tuition.
With so many fees and expenses to think about, it can be difficult to find ways of accessing extra money when issues emerge. If you suddenly need to find some extra money to pay for a school trip, buy new books, or purchase software for your laptop, you might not be able to wait for your next student loan payment to be available. Fortunately, there are other ways you can expand your resources.
Review Your Current Budget
One of the simplest ways to free up extra cash and avoid mistakes that get you into debt as a student is to examine your current budget and ask yourself whether you’re spending unnecessary cash on anything you don’t really need. You might be able to switch to a different internet provider to reduce the cost of your broadband or sell your current phone and switch to an older model to save on monthly expenses. You might even decide to get rid of things you don’t really need for the time being, such as subscriptions to gyms, streaming services, and other resources.
Sell Notes, Time, and Items
Selling products and solutions to other people online is a great way to make a little extra cash when you’re low on money as a student. Although you might not have a lot of belongings you can put on eBay or Facebook marketplace, you may be able to make some extra money by selling clothes you no longer use, old tech, or even books you’re finished reading. You could also consider selling things outside of physical items, such as notes for a course, mentoring or tuition for other students, or even your time. You could take on a role as a babysitter, dog walker, or part-time gardener to access extra cash.
Look into Credit Options
If you know how to manage a budget and use cash strategically, then you might be able to benefit from applying for a credit card. Although it’s important to use with caution, these financial tools can be extremely valuable when you’re dealing with emergencies. They’re also a great way to build your credit score if you pay your bills at the right time. The key to making sure you get the most out of your first credit card as a student is making the right choice on which card to apply for. There are plenty of different options out there. Some are even specifically designed for students and can give you access to better terms and interest rates than most. Do your research and find the solution that’s best for you.
Look into Work Opportunities
Although you might not be able to fit a full-time job into your schedule alongside your college or university course, you can still consider getting some experience in the working world. There are plenty of companies that can offer part-time and internship positions to students, with flexible working schedules. You could also consider taking the freelance route. There are various sites online where you can sign up and bid for projects, or offer your services as a graphic designer, content creator, social media expert, or anything else you can think of. If you have your own car, you could even make cash as a part-time employee for a delivery company.
Get Your Student Finances Back on Track
While finding extra money as a college student can seem like a challenging process, there are various ways you can free up extra money in your budget with a little creativity. Try some of the options above, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies to see what works best for you.