The Strategic Collegiate

  A s a college student like me, money is probably on your mind frequently. I've covered funding your college by working and earning scholarships, and taking out loans if necessary, in my post, " Funding Your Education ." But those are just the tip of the iceberg. In this post I'll be discussing ways to save and make money in addition to your work paycheck. Disclaimer for legal purposes: This is based on my personal experience as a college student and I'm not a professional in personal finance or investing. SAVE MONEY     Do NOT buy your textbooks from the University bookstore without price shopping first. I actually got in trouble for telling this to students while working for our bookstore - whoops! - but it killed me to see freshman walk in and buy the first hardcover, brand new copy of the book they needed for every single class.  The only things you can't find secondhand for cheaper are online codes, like STEM or online classes might require, and the ...

M any of last year's resolutions were completely thrown off course, leaving us feeling dread or uncertainty about making fresh New Year's Resolutions like we would in normal years. Despite any misgivings, and a greater doubt than ever in our ability to finish our resolutions, I find it important to still set goals. The year will still happen, and having goals is still so important even if they aren't certainly going to be finished by the end of the year. Behavioral science teaches us that transitions are motivating, and we can harness this power by using periods of transition - like New Years, or birthdays, or Spring cleaning - to motivate us to take action.     As a full time student for the last four years, my New Years resolutions have often been related to finances and academic achievement, or both. My goals this year are too; I want to get into great graduate schools and take control of my financial future (especially at this point of transition coming up - graduation!...