The average cost of attending a four year public college in 1981 was approximately $4,000, according to The National Center for Education Statistics. College costs have more than quadrupled since then, making life for students a struggle. Instead of surviving off of instant ramen noodles and tap water all week to save a buck, go digital instead. There are countless ways to stretch your dollar just by using technology to your advantage. Here are but a few:
Download Your Textbooks
Let’s start off with the most expensive thing on your list: textbooks. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on physical textbooks and lugging them around the entire semester, you can save money by downloading online versions of them onto a tablet. It’s a great reason to pick up a new iPad Air.
CourseSmart has the world’s largest selection of digital textbooks that are much less expensive than their physical counterparts. In fact, many digital textbooks are 60 percent less costly than traditional ones, says the textbook retailer. Even though you might have to invest in a tablet first, the price of this device versus the money you’ll end up saving by not having to buy physical textbooks is comparable and might even be cheaper in the long run. Plus, you won’t have to carry around a heavy book all day and sacrifice your arms in the process.
Take Online Classes
Unless you live on campus, you’ll most likely be commuting to school every day. Stop spending money on gas, car maintenance and parking permits by choosing to take online classes from the comfort of your home. Online classes also allow you more time to study and even work a part-time job, says The Edification.
Additionally, taking college courses online makes it easier to choose a living space that fits your budget since you’re not tied down to renting close to campus. Apartments and students dorms near your college have a high convenience factor, so they’re going to be much more expensive than the ones a block or two away. Furthermore, you won’t have to spend tons of money on expensive school lunches since you’ll be eating at home instead of on-the-go. You’ll save in nearly every aspect of your live by choosing to do most of your coursework from home instead of on campus.
Use Online Resources
There are countless ways websites can save you money. CourseSmart illustrates how commonly used sites can save you over $2,000 in four years. For instance, using the Yelp app on your smartphone to compare prices of nearby restaurants can lower the cost of eating out; Facebook keeps you connected to family and friends for free; Netflix offers an unlimited amount of TV shows and movies for just $10 a month; Skype Premium is less expensive than a cellphone plan; LinkedIn eliminates printing costs during a job search and Spotify lets you listen to your favorite artists for free.
The trick is to be creative and think outside the box when looking for online resources that can lower the cost of college. Some of these websites may even pay you for your time. All Women Stalk suggests starting a YouTube channel, selling stock photography on iStock, writing an ebook, listing your crafts on Etsy, creating a blog, and even selling your video game accounts on PlayerAuctions to make some extra cash on the side.
Guest Post by Lilian Ortiz, Social Monsters (socialmonsters.org)
Lilian Ortiz is a freelance writer, graphic design student and bookworm with three years of writing and editing experience, particularly on lifestyle, design and tech topics. She edited “Pax the Polar Bear,” a children’s book on global warming.
Photo Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/68751915@N05/6793826885