The main goal is to avoid using your heater when you don’t need it. It sounds simple enough, but many times people unintentionally drive the bill up simply because they aren’t mindful enough. The best thing you can do is simply pay attention to your usage. Below you will find five tips to help you in your goal of saving money on your utility bills:
1. Turn down your thermostat when no one is home. This one is the most obvious and underutilized way to save money. When you leave for class during the day, turn your thermostat down. There’s no use keeping a house warm if no one is home!
2. Wear socks and sweaters around the house. If you wear comfortable and warm clothes around your house, you can reduce the thermostat even when you’re home. Just a couple degrees can mean a big difference in your monthly bill.
3. Have someone come out and check your house for insulation issues. Many states will send out someone from the utilities company to check out the house or apartment you are staying in for free. The person will make sure there are no obvious insulation or wiring issues and give you even more helpful tips on keeping you bill low.
4. Open the blinds during the day and close them at night. Letting the sun in during the day can increase the temperature of your house quite a bit, even when it’s cold outside. Just remember to close them at night though to help insulate against the cold!
5. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater. Having to heat your water contributes to the power bill quite a bit too. Make sure your hot water heater is set low enough that the faucet doesn’t burn you when its on its hottest. There is no reason to heat the water to a temperature that is so high you can’t use it and by turning it down it can ultimately help you in your quest of saving money on your utility bills!
* Icon of four power services thanks to Shutterstock
Winter is in the air and that means spring semester will be over shortly. With all of the free time between semesters, many international students use their winter breaks as an excuse to travel the country!
Depending on where you are studying and what your opinion of cold weather is, winter vacation can be a great time to travel north to some snow covered destination, or to head south to escape from the cold as quickly as possible. No matter what you choose, if money is an issue then you are going to want to know how to organize a winter vacation trip on a budget.
The first thing you will need to do to keep your costs low is plan ahead. If you wait until last minute to decide where you are going things can get confused and messy real quick. Not only that, but if you plan on flying anywhere then your tickets may be more expensive than if you bought them ahead of time.
Now that you’ve planned ahead and decided where you want to go, the next step on how to organize a winter vacation trip on a budget is to find things to do that are cheap but still fun. Of course it would be great to stay in five star hotels and eat at the fanciest, most expensive restaurants, but not everybody can afford such luxuries. Luckily, there are all kinds of ways to cut costs. There are all sorts of websites that compare the prices of hotel rooms and offer user reviews from people who have stayed in the past. The same goes for local food. If you’re looking for a great place to eat while you are traveling, don’t trust tourist guides or advertisements. Go online and see what people have to say about the place first!
You’re going to want to do more than eat and sleep when you travel. No matter where you decide to visit, there are always fun and, more importantly, affordable things to do. Museums are often free or cheap, and so are historical tours and other educational exhibits. If you decided to head south you might even consider the beach. Miami, for example, can stay around the high 60s and low 70s all through winter.
If you’re interested on how to organize a winter vacation trip on a budget, the amount of ways to save money is only limited by your creativity and willingness to look for the best deals online.
For more information, check out the Student Travel Center.
*Winter Landscape picture thanks to Shutterstock
It is no secret that going to college in the US can be expensive. Not only is the cost of living higher here than many other countries, but college tuition has also increased more than inflation every year for over a decade. Unfortunately, the US tuition increase is a trend that does not seem to be going away anytime soon. So what does this mean for you as an international student?
Most US universities require that prospective international students prove they have enough money to pay for classes and living expenses before accepting them as students. With tuition increasing, the amount you will have to raise will be higher, making it harder for many students to attend school. Fortunately, there are things you can do to mitigate the effects of US tuition increase.
Scholarships are a great way to ease the financial burden of school. To apply for scholarships you typically need to write an essay explaining why you are a good candidate and fill out some basic paperwork stating who you are and where you’re from. If you are in need of financial assistance, scholarships can really make the difference between having enough money and not having enough money to attend your school of choice.
Another way to help ease the increasing financial burden of studying in the US is to apply for student loans. Unlike scholarships, you will have to pay these back after you graduate, but luckily you’ll be much more likely to land a well paying job at that point.
Because the cost of US tuition increases each year, scholarships and loans are now more important than ever. Thanks to these two options, people who would otherwise be unable to attend college in the US now have a chance to go to any school in the US!
* School tuition rising picture provided by Shutterstock.
Halloween is right around the corner, and if you haven’t bought your costume yet you have probably noticed how hard it is to buy last minute supplies – not to mention how expensive it can be! Costume shops are picked over, prices are at its peak, and ideas can be hard to come by. Don’t worry though, because there are all sorts of last minute cheap Halloween costumes you can make without much money and often with things you already have around the house.
Toilet Paper Mummy – This is one of the ultimate last minute Halloween costumes. Simply take a roll of toilet paper and wrap it around yourself. You can even make this costume after showing up to a party! Just make sure to ask the hosts permission before you use all of their toilet paper.
T-shirt Ninja – Everyone likes ninjas, but not everyone likes paying a lot for a costume that is essentially just a pair of black pants, a black shirt, and a black hood. As an alternative to buying a costume, just wear all black and put a shirt over your head so that you eyes peek out of the shirt’s neck hole.
Grown up Baby – If you already have one-piece pajamas all you need is a pacifier and a teddy bear for this mildly creepy adult baby costume. As a guy you can just mess up your hair like you just got out of bed, and girls can wear their hair in pigtails.
Work of Art – This is one of those last minute Halloween costumes for people with larger than average egos. All you have to do is bring an empty picture frame with you and when people ask what you are, tell them you’re a “work of art”. If you’re an art lover (or don’t have a large enough ego) try dressing up as a famous work of art. Some paintings, like the Mona Lisa, would be pretty easy to do.
Zombie – This one takes a little more time than the other last minute Halloween costumes, but it is worth it. To be a zombie, either buy an outfit from a thrift store or get some clothes you no longer want together. Cut and tear holes in the outfit and throw some paint or makeup on them so they look old and worn. Then buy some white and black makeup and fake blood. Give yourself big black rings around your eyes and make the rest of your face white so it appears pale. If all goes well, you’ll look just like a living dead person!
* Happy Halloween Pumpkin picture courtesy of Shutterstock
One of the best things about studying in a foreign country is that everything around you is new and exciting, making every day seem like a mini-vacation. To make the most of their time abroad, many international students decide to travel during their time off from school. If you are one of those students, then you might be wondering how to budget so that you can travel for winter break.
Set Incremental Goals
One of the single best tips on how to budget so that you can travel for winter break is to set incremental savings goals. This way you can make sure you are on track to saving the amount you need by winter. These goals should be set up as weekly or monthly dollar amounts that, if met, will result in you having enough money when winter break comes.
See What Your Bank Can Do to Help
Most banks have savings programs to help you save money, so if you’re trying to decide how to budget so that you can travel for winter break, you should check online or ask in person at your bank to see what is offered. For example, some banks will transfer whatever change is left over from a debit card transaction and automatically put it into your savings. If you use your debit card a lot, the occasional 25 and 50 cents being put into to your savings account can really add up in the long run. Other banks have a way to automatically move a set amount from your savings to your checking every month. This method is a great way to make sure you are keeping up with your monthly goals!
Remember What You Are Saving For
Sometimes, after saving for a while, it can be tempting to dip into your money and buy something expensive for yourself. You might tell yourself that you’ll make up for it by saving more in the future or that you deserve to cheat a little. This is because people are good at tricking themselves into spending money, and you should definitely avoid this pitfall if you plan on traveling over the winter. Whenever your temptation to spend some of your savings rises, visualize how amazing your winter trip is going to be and let that image keep you in line and on budget.
There are many other methods on how to budget so that you can travel for winter break, and in the end some will work for you more than others. The best thing to do is to try out several savings methods and seeing what works for you the best!
* Picture of male hand putting a coin into piggy bank courtesy of Shutterstock
College is expensive. Between paying for books, classes, and rent it can sometimes feel like the only thing you’re really learning is how to live on a shoestring budget. Luckily, there are some simple things international students can do to save money while studying in the US. To help you out, here are 5 ways to save money while studying in the US:
1. Take Advantage of Student Discounts
Universities offer a lot of fun (and often free) activities for their students. Some universities have a theater that plays free movies, others have free music concerts throughout the year, and many local businesses offer student discounts simply for showing your student ID. Make sure you ask around and look through your school pamphlet for what deals are available to you.
2. Buy Your School Books Online
Books can be very expensive if they are purchased from your university bookstore. If you do not need your book right away, do some searches for books online. Many popular shopping websites offer the books you need for half the price of the University.
3. Eat At Home
It can be easy to give in to the temptation of eating out all the time. It is faster, you don’t have to own cooking supplies (or even know how to cook), and there are usually restaurants all over campus. Not only is eating out all the time unhealthy, it’s also expensive. With just a few pots and pans and a little know-how you can cook all sorts of cheap and healthy foods. The internet is full of websites that cater to people with little time to cook, so if you’re ever in a rush remember that there are countless quick recipes at your fingertips. If you are looking for more help, check out our 10 Tips to Keep Food Costs Low blog.
4. Make a Budget
Between midterms, papers, and extracurricular activities, keeping track of how much you are spending is likely at the lower end of your priority list. However, keeping track of how much you spend is a great way to keep yourself from spending too much. $1 sodas and $3 coffees might not seem expensive by themselves, but they can really add up over time. If you budget your money and keep track of your spending, you can find out where most of your extra funds are going and what places you need to pay more attention to.
5. Meet Local Students
Being in a new country can be scary for international students. You might be tempted to keep to yourself, but every city has hidden secrets that can’t be found unless you make friends someone who has lived there their entire lives. Local students can help you find cheap and free things to do all over the city that you might have never known about otherwise.
Studying in the United States can add up, but there are many tips to budget properly and keep costs low. Food can add up weekly, especially if you are not planning appropriately. Going to dinner can easily add up to $20 for one meal. By taking the time steps to save money on food, this can mean more opportunities – and more adventures for you!
Here are 10 tips to keep food costs low:
1. Eat at Home
With a restaurant on every corner, many students think convenience! Pizza in 10 minutes? Hamburger in 2 minutes? Or, splurge at a fancy restaurant? While this might be a treat once in a while, try to find easy and quick recipes you can make at home. Not only are these typically healthier options, but it will save you money in the long run!
2. Buy Local
Buying fresh fruits and vegetables at a grocery store can be expensive. Mangos can be $1 each – on sale! Go to your local farmers market though and you’ll pay much lower prices. Some people show up early – others show up late – to get even greater discounts on their produce.
3. Buy on Sale
Sales can be so much fun – great deals and good food is the way to go. If it’s food that doesn’t go bad, then you can buy more and save it for later. If it’s meat, then you can freeze it for later also. Don’t splurge on food you may not normally purchase, but buying your everyday food on sale allows you to save even more money!
4. Freeze Left Overs
Ever try to cook something and make more than you can stomach? Or, have you had left overs but couldn’t fit it into your weekly schedule? Don’t forget that freezing food can be a great way to conserve and make the most of your budget.
5. Plan Your Meals to Reduce Wasted Food
There are so many times that we’ll go to the grocery store and buy everything in sight. There are also many times where you may be swayed to indulge, but not actually incorporate it into your eating regiment – and therefore goes to waste. Don’t let this happen to you. Plan your meals, reduce wasted food, and watch your money go even farther.
6. Buy Store Brand
Many times “white label” food is just as good as the brand name. Try buying your grocery store brand – not only will you save money but you will in many cases end up with the same quality!
7. Clip Coupons
If you are one of those people who read the newspaper – or go searching for coupons online – then take the time to see if there are any coupons for your normal purchases. One dollar off or buy one get one free can certainly help lower your costs on regular shopping days.
8. Compare price on per unit cost – not total price!
If you’ve ever taken the time to notice, many packages will tell you the weight of the food you are buying. Just because the total price is lower, it may be that you are buying less. Don’t be fooled by marketers, compare prices based on the equivalent weight to make sure you get the best deal!
9. Buy in Bulk
Many times if you buy in bulk, you will end up with the best price. While you may end up buying more than you need, consider sharing with friends or roommates to make sure that you get the lowest price for the maximum quantity.
10. Grocery Store Membership
Many stores now have memberships which offer you discounts or money back. If you are not already a member, sign up and see the savings come back to you!
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