How to pay for college living expenses is perplexing for students with no income except for an allowance from their parents. Paying for books, project materials and meals requires creative thinking. While some students have jobs that help to defray the costs, using ecoupons, discounts and roommates helps even more.

Food

Using restaurant coupons online is one way to scale back on food expenses. Many students are enrolled in their school’s cafeteria meal plan. Aside from a regular dining hall, many colleges and universities now have small fast-food outlets in the student union. Some are located just off campus to give students an alternative to institutional food. When there is nothing edible or appetizing available, however, using discount coupons for chain restaurants is a tastier choice for hungry college students. Students with apartments or suites have an easier time in making and keeping food when there is a kitchen available. For them, another option is to use ecoupons for the grocery store to pick up food that is easy to cook or requires no cooking at all. Roommates will sometimes share in grocery expenses for bulk items, such as milk, potatoes, eggs, flour and butter. This helps to reduce dining and cooking expenses.

Projects

Buying materials to create projects for class is sometimes an expense that is not thought out before the beginning of the school year, especially for first-year students. Spending extra money on art supplies, newsprint and special paper is possible using coupons online. Sharing with classmates is helpful in some situations, but difficult and unrealistic in others. Another option is to borrow money from Mom and Dad or ask them to purchase and send the supplies. Some students have online coupons linked to a college earnings account. Each time they make an eligible purchase, a percentage goes into their special account. Mom and Dad can use these accounts as well as the students. Any money credited to the ecoupon accounts can be used toward saving for college. With items like project supplies, this is especially practical.

Study Aids

Another hidden expense that causes students to do some creative spending and saving is the use of study aids. Books and computers are required for most classes, especially those online. This is an added expense that occurs every semester for textbooks and every few years for computers. The printer may break down or additional memory may be needed. Should the computer get a virus, tech support or a new computer may be needed. Using coupons and discounts for laptop deals is one creative way to afford a new computer. Sharing one with roommates or siblings may work for some students, but it can cause problems for relationships, as well.