Save With Dave

Save With Dave: How College Students Save Green

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ― They live cheap because tuition can be pricey. Dave tells us what college students can do to save money.

We wanted to hear from the students themselves, about what their strategies are to stash some cash. And they came up with some pretty good ideas.

College students are not immune to these tough, economic times.

"You can't spend as much money as you used to in high school unless you are spoiled, you have nice parents who will pay your way," says Erica, a college student.

The National Retail Federation says the younger crowd is learning to be frugal.

Spending on back-to-college goods, things like electronics and dorm furnishings is down seven percent this year.

"Usually, I'm used to shopping not every weekend, but usually on occasion, once a month, but now I know that I'm going to have to cut down," explains Sabrina, who is a student.

So what are they cutting out of their budget?

"I don't buy as many shoes are I used to," says Erica.

"I try to save as much money as possible so I don't get my nails done every two weeks like before I came here. I can't go to the movies and go out as much as I used to," Erica says.

One student says it helps to team up with your buddies.

"It helps a lot to share with your roommates, and things like buy in bulk, things like Costco and things like that," says David.

And take advantage of everything your school offers. After all, that's what you're paying for.

"The campus has a lot of cheap activities to do," says David.

"Using the meal plan is a lot easier cause usually, growing up as a teenager you're always going out to fast food places and stuff like that," says Sabrina.

Let's take one of those examples. Erica says she used to buy at least two pairs of shoes a month, at $50 a pair that would be $1200 a year!

If she cuts that down to one pair every other month, she'd save $900 a year!

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