Under normal circumstances, being asked for ID can be a bit of a buzz kill. But if you're in school, there are two magic words you need to add to your vocabulary – student discount. Whether you're having dinner, going out to a movie, buying a computer or traveling, flashing your student card can often save you 15 per cent. And don't be afraid to ask – even places with unadvertised discounts or no formal policy will typically give a student a break.
5. Advanced credit isn't just for courses
Post-secondary school is typically the first exposure many students have to credit. Educate yourself about consumer credit, including credit scores, interest rates and payment periods. You're in a very transitional period, establishing good (or bad) habits that you'll likely carry with you for years to come. Paying your bills on time is a good way to ensure freshman year doesn't flunkout your credit for life. Setting up e-mail notifications and automatic bill payments are a great way to ensure your payments aren't tardy, but perhaps the most important rule is pay cash if you can.
6. Kick-it old school and share
In primary school, they taught you to share. As a teen, your behaviour was a little more selfish – or at least that's what your parents said. It's time to take it back to the playground and share. If you're driving home over the holidays, offer others a ride in exchange for a portion of the gas money.
Sharing things like DVDs, textbooks for half-year classes and Xbox games can be equally elementary when it comes to keeping your coin. And if you're on Facebook, sometimes all it takes to borrow what you need is a note in your status.
7. "Used" is not a four-letter word
For those of you destined for business school, your marketing professors will tell you the allure of what’s 'new' is one of the reasons consumers spend themselves into insolvency. Your microeconomics professors will tell you that the use you get out of an object justifies the money you spend on it – that is, a book's value is in being read; a car's value is in being driven. Listen to your learned academics. A used car can still take empties back to the store and a used textbook will still give you a headache before your psychology midterm – you'll just spend less.
Page 2 of 3 – Discover how to save for what you really want on page 3.
