If you are in the university on a scholarship, a grant, or a loan, you still need to budget your way through because of the other expenses you will incur while earning a degree. For instance, with the holidays just around the corner, you might be looking for ways to earn extra cash to be able to buy your family and friends some gifts. Aside from that, you also might be thinking that it’s high time you change your wardrobe.

1. Shop now! There is no better time to shop than way before the Christmas season. Aside from being able to go through shopping malls without having to contend with a throng of holiday shoppers. Besides, you will have more time to look for sales and discounts since you are not in a hurry.

2. Or, you can shop after the season ends. This is a good option only if you are not going home for the holidays though. It is quite hard to come up empty handed while the family is exchanging presents under the tree. There’s a lot of clearance sales right after Christmas.

3. If you have already done your Christmas shopping, you can still check out clearance sales after the 25th for better gifts next year. It pays to be ahead.

4. Look for stores and stalls that offer student discounts. You will only be able to take advantage of this benefit until you graduate so make use of it.

5. Buy in bulk and retail. Go online and look for stuff that you can give away to all your friends. You can do personalizing through the gift bags later on.

6. Make your own gifts. If you are quite able with arts and crafts, this should be an easy task. Accessories such as jewelry, belts, and bags are all very nicely appreciated during the holidays, especially if you make it yourself.

7. Personalize gift tags by printing on your computer. Your gift may not be worth much but a line or two that is well though off will matter to the persons you love.

8. Make a Christmas list for yourself and send it to your family. Instead of having surprise that you may not be able to use anyway, ask for clothing like jeans and shirts, shoes, socks, bags, and schools supplies. It might not be as much fun, but you will have more fun with your allowance intact later on.

9. Instead of neglecting relatives that you have abroad or too far away, send a personalized greeting card like a picture with a note at the back. Your computer actually has software for this. You’ll never know what you might need from them later on. Besides, you will save on your phone bills since you would not have to call them up to greet them.

10. Use your internet connection to greet all our relatives and friends. There are websites that offer free electronic greeting cards and you might as well use these. It is better that all your relatives and friends know that you thought of them even if you would not be sending gifts.

See: College Student Credit Card

Tags: college student card debt, College Student Credit Card

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 6th, 2008 at 9:35 pm and is filed under Allowance, Budget, Student Finances. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.