Saving money has always been quite important. Every month, when we balance out our income and expenses, we far too often find ourselves in the red. We end up having to put things on high-interest credit cards, or even sometimes need to take out payday loans.
Even with our best efforts we often fall short. Now, with inflation soaring in a post-pandemic recovery world, it has become more difficult to make ends meet. The price of everything, from food to fuel and utilities and rent, has just gone up and up.
It is even harder to balance your budget if you are a college student. With tuition and fees skyrocketing over the years, almost everyone has to take out student loans. Scholarships and grants help reduce your costs, but not everyone gets those. Fortunately, there is one area where you can make the decision to lower the cost of your college experience.
If you were to live in on-campus housing, you’ll pay way too much since the school sees you as a captive audience. Instead of going for the dorms, choose off-campus housing and you’ll not only save money, you will enjoy a better living experience too.
Lower Your Costs With Shared Living in Off-Campus Housing
Instead of living in old, cramped dormitory housing, you can live near campus in a modern apartment complex. You can choose from a variety of units, with different floor plans and bedroom options. You’ll have the flexibility to choose your roommates and get the right number of bedrooms for your group.
When you split the cost of shared apartment living, you’ll save money when compared to the cost of the dorms. Since you are close to campus, you may not even need a car. Your classrooms and the great events at the university will just be a short distance away.
Enjoy Having Your Own Private Space
In the dorms, everyone is piled into the same living and sleeping space and no privacy exists. With an off-campus apartment, each roommate has their own private bedroom. If you want quiet and need to study, you simply retreat to your own space. Sleeping at night is much easier too, when you are not disturbed by others coming to bed at all hours.
Another benefit of apartment living is that you will have your own private bathroom in the unit. There’s no more having to walk down the dark dorm hallway to a communal bathroom with long waits.
Having Your Own Kitchen Saves You Money on Food
It can be expensive when you live in a dorm and must buy college meal plans. They often feel free to overcharge you, since there is no other option when you choose on-campus housing. When you opt for an off-campus apartment, you will save a lot of money because you can cook your meals in your own kitchen.
If you shop the grocery store specials and sales, and all the roommates contribute to buy staple foods, you’ll be able to prepare great meals that are quite affordable. You can find great recipes and instructions in online videos, and soon you and your roommates will be able to create delicious, restaurant-quality meals.
