With only one day left of winter and with warmer temperatures outside, we are getting more anxious to go outside and do things. However, that might be costly for the wallet. Here are a few tips to how you can save money and be more prepared for the Spring with very little inconvenience.
Spring Break, NOT Spring Broke
Spring Break, NOT Spring Broke is an event arranged by us, Powercat Financial, on Thursday March 2nd from 12 – 1:30pm in the Student Union on the Ground Floor Courtyard. The event will consist of some minute to win it games with great prizes. We will be giving out four 10oz Yeti tumblers and three 30oz Yeti tumblers. There will also be a money vault with real cash! In addition to great prizes, we will be giving out financial advice and tools you can use to help you be financially successful both for Spring Break, and while in college in general. There will be a special tip work sheet for Spring Break. This event is in collaboration Wildcat Wellness week, and aimed to help students be money savvy and make college even better.
Apps That Make You Money
There are several apps and websites designed to pay you, offer rewards, or even a free product just for providing a review. All of the above are great ways to save and even earn a little money while in college. The easiest of them all is Pocket Points. You simply open the app and lock your phone during class. The more time you are off your phone during class, the more points you get. The more points, the better discounts you get to both local and online stores. The app is as good as it is easy and even helps encourage you to stay off your phone and pay attention while in class. Here is a great article to learn more about the different apps that help you earn money with a review of what they do. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gobankingrates/20-apps-that-make-you-mon_b_7949606.html. It is always highly encouraged that you do your own research and find the apps that work best for you.
Saving While Shopping
Several stores around Manhattan offer customer rewards cards, they are a great way to save money both in the long and short run. For example, Both Dillons and Hy-Vee give you fuel points in addition to in store discounts and special deals. Dillons offers participants one free item every Friday just for having their app and purchasing the free Friday download. Some stores offer a discounted price just for simply having the card. Keep in mind that there is a difference between rewards cards and in-store credit cards, a rewards card does not require a credit check! You can also save while shopping by finding the cheaper stores. Aldi is known to be a cheaper grocery store and an easy way to save money on at least the basic necessities.
Budget
With the warm weather also comes thoughts about Summer. If you have plans or want to make plans, now is a great time to start saving. This can be done very easily by filling out the spending worksheet on our website, http://www.k-state.edu/powercatfinancial/budgeting/. We ask you to prioritize needs vs wants and to make an estimated budget. Based on this you will track your actual spending and see what spending habits may need to change in order to save as much money as you would like. A budget does take time and discipline but it also is the best way to save money in the long run and help you plan to do the things you want to do.
Finally, remember that Powercat Financial is here to help! For more tips, and help completing a spending plan make an appointment with a peer financial counselor today at www.ksu.edu/powercatfinancial.
Kristin Gundersen
Peer Counselor I
