August 10, 2025

Back-To-School Budgeting For College Students: Tips To Save Money This Semester

 

Are you an incoming college freshman or returning to campus for a new semester? Either way, this time of year is exciting, but it often comes with unexpected costs and financial stress. From coffee runs to textbooks and tuition, college can get pricey. Whatever your financial situation, building healthy budgeting and money-saving skills during college is essential to prepare you for life after graduation.

 

Back-to-school budgeting doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are a few tips to make it work for you.

 

Why Budgeting Matters In College

Whether you’re working part-time, balancing an unpaid internship, or attending classes and clubs, maintaining a budget is important to keep you on track for all the big purchases that come with the ivy-covered walls and football games.

 

Plus, it’s 2025, and unfortunately, that means tuition, books, and living expenses are rising costs. Life in a college town can feel pretty sweet, but can quickly become costly and stressful. Many are responsible for these purchases independently, requiring them to work while attending classes.

 

Maintaining a budget can help alleviate this stress and allow you to take control of your finances, even while juggling all the responsibilities of being a student. Budgeting has plenty of benefits, from avoiding debt to building credit or saving for all your adventures after graduation.

 

How To Create A Budget

So, where do you start? If it feels overwhelming, don’t worry. Here’s a quick guide on how to create yours.

Step 1: Track income. List all sources of income, including part-time jobs, scholarships, or allowance. If you have a job, calculate how much you’ll make each paycheck, on average.

Step 2: List expenses. Track how much you’re spending each week, month, or semester. Consider expenses like tuition, rent, entertainment, meal plans or groceries, and the inevitable late-night study snack.

Step 3: Set spending expectations by category. Make sure you have enough income for every expense and plan for them by category to prioritize and create realistic expectations.

Step 4: Set savings goals. If you have spare income each month, put some aside for emergency savings. Every individual’s spending and saving habits will vary, so find numbers that work for you, even if it’s just a few dollars per month.

Step 5: Adjust as necessary. A budget is never set in stone, and income and expenses can vary month to month. Keep track of any changes and adjust your budget to align with your individual needs.

 

There are plenty of resources to help you along the way:

• Use a budgeting calculator or spreadsheet to track spending, or find free templates on platforms like Notion.

• Use a budgeting app — there are many available for free or at varying price points if an automated app experience works best for you.

• Don’t want to go digital? Get a journal or planner to track spending with pen and paper. Sometimes, simplicity is key to ensuring your budget is perfectly tailored to you.

 

Saving Strategies For Back-To-School Essentials

Along with tracking a budget, there are strategies you can use to make the back-to-school season a bit more manageable. Here are a few budgeting tips for college students to try out this semester.

• Textbooks: Buy used books from your school’s bookstore or websites like ThriftBooks, rent your textbooks, or explore digital textbook options to lower costs.

• Student Discounts: Whether you’re looking to buy school supplies, new clothes, or dorm decor, many stores offer student discounts. Before you click “Buy Now,” check to see if the store you’re shopping at offers a student discount.

• Tech Gear: Need a new laptop or headphones for college? Oftentimes, tech stores offer student deals or packages to lower total costs.

• Dorm Or Apartment Items: Furnishing a new living space is pricey, so seek out affordable options. Check out Facebook Marketplace, local thrift stores, or campus swaps for affordable options. Pro Tip: At the end of each leasing season, you’ll often find students giving away used furniture for free or discounted prices!

 

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Budgeting isn’t always easy, so you may encounter a few challenges as you get started. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid.

• Not including small expenses in your budget (coffee, snacks, going out with friends).

• Not having emergency savings. While this may not be totally feasible for everyone, if you have extra income, try to set some aside for unexpected events.

• Overusing credit cards. Credit cards are great for establishing credit, but don’t use them more than you can pay off.

• Forgetting yearly expenses (birthdays, holidays, new textbooks each semester).

• Not taking advantage of school resources. Don’t spend money unnecessarily if there’s a free option available with your school (gym, printing, public transportation).

One of the most important lessons you’ll learn in college is building good financial habits, and sticking to a budget is just the start. To set yourself up for financial success after graduation, it’s important to develop these skills and start building savings as soon as possible.

 

Although it’s overwhelming, start simple and stay consistent. Don’t get discouraged if you struggle to stick to your budget the first month, as these skills will get easier over time — just like the ones you learn in class.

 

Start your budget today to take control of your finances and prepare yourself for future success! For more budgeting and saving tips, check out BCU’s free financial well-being resources.

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