3 Places to Shop for the Broke College Student

By Kaitlin Hurtado on June 17, 2018

Paying for college necessities like tuition, course textbooks, and campus parking passes is enough to worry about when you’re the typical broke college student, but you still are going to want to be buying things for your apartment and for your own personal needs. In order to not risk breaking your bank or sending yourself into debt if you want to treat yourself, or even to buy necessities, there are always ways to stretch your budget by choosing to shop at the right stores.

When it comes to being a broke college student, it’s important to remember that shopping at the right places and having a balanced budget are both equally important. You can have a great budget, but not be able to follow through with it if you are consistently shopping at stores that are out of your budget.

If you’re considering different stores that can fit the typical broke college student’s budget, here are some options to consider the next time you make a shopping trip:

woman looking at storefront,

Photo by Gyorgy Bakos on Unsplash

1. Costco (or similar wholesale stores) Costco is a very near and dear favorite for broke college students – it’s the ultimate dream of buying things in bulk deals and cheap food from their food court. When you’re in need of a quick and cheap meal, Costco’s food is a go-to for many college students as you don’t even need a membership to buy it. Chicken bakes, whole pizzas (or slices), sandwiches, hot dogs, and ice cream swirls are all yours for a very cheap price. It may seem counterproductive to pay in order to save money, but when you consider the amount of money you will save by taking advantage of Costco’s membership deals, the initial membership fee is worth it. If you’re housemates or roommates are up for it, you can also all pitch in to pay for a membership that you can all use.

Items in bulk can save you a lot more money over time: toilet paper, toiletries, snacks, and drinks. When it comes to Costco, it’s important to remember to buy what you need versus what you want. It’s easy to buy a bunch of veggies or fruits when it comes to looking at the deals that Costco offers, but you don’t want to waste money on food that you will never end up using. When buying in bulk, try to shop with a plan on how you are going to use the items you buy: meal prepping, freezing some for later use, and so on.

2. Local thrift stores When it comes to furnishing your apartment and updating your wardrobe on a broke college student budget, thrift stores can be one of your best options. While you may want to stay clear of sweaters with questionable stains and couches and mattresses that may bring bugs into your home. Instead, more wood/steel-based furniture (think of the easier to clean, the better) is safer for bringing into your home and will save you money on desks, chair, dining table, bookshelves, and more.

Thrift stores will also allow you to bring plenty of new pieces into your wardrobe without breaking your bank. Thrifting isn’t for anyone, and if you aren’t you used to it, it may seem overwhelming to walk into an unorganized thrift store. Give yourself time to pick through a thrift store’s selection or go in with a list of things you want to look for – maybe a cheaper alternative to an expensive jacket you’ve been eyeing.

3. TJMaxx, Marshalls, or HomeGoods These retail stores offer a variety of items at a great discount. If you need to update your apartment – wall art, small decor items, cookware, or couch pillows – these stores have your back, especially if you’re on a budget. The stores also have plenty of clothes, accessories, and shoes that you can choose from if you are looking to update your wardrobe at a fraction of the cost that you would typically spend at other retailers.

If you find yourself wanting to treat yourself to new bath supplies or to add to your makeup collection, these stores offer a beauty and skincare section that you can browse for even better deals. The brands you can discover range from harder-to-find obscure brands to bigger name brands that you could find at more expensive stores like Sephora and the deals can range anywhere from dollars shaved off of retail price or lower than your typical drugstore prices. These stores rotate their selections fairly often, so if you go quite often you may even get to snag something you have been eyeing as it goes on clearance.

Being a typical broke college student is never easy, but it does not mean that you need to suffer and hold back by spending money on the bare minimum. You deserve to spruce up your home to make it more comfortable, or to treat yourself after a good finals week – just remember to shop at the right places while maintaining your budget.

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