The Cost of College Life

Everyday Cost

Colleges often give new roommates each other’s contact information before school starts. If you have the chance, be in touch and figure out how you can share expenses—and avoid duplicating efforts. That can help you avoid ending up with two mini-fridges and no coffee maker.

Some costs are fixed by the contracts you sign—like your phone agreement and your rent if you’re living off campus. It works in your favor that these costs are the same amount every month, because you can plan for them. But if you don’t pay them in full, you’ll eventually find yourself without a phone, or much worse, with no place to stay.

There are often ways to reduce fixed costs. For example, staying on your family’s phone plan may be cheaper than having your own account, provided the service is good in both locations. Adding another roommate will reduce your rent (though it might be a little crowded).

Other costs are variable, and change from month to month. You’ve got a little more flexibility with these costs—like food and clothing—since you can always cut back if you’re running short of cash. One solid way to reduce costs is to get serious about sustainability. Refilling a water bottle is cheaper than buying bottled water and way better for the environment.

It may also be harder than ever to walk the line between what you want and what you need, especially if your new friends—or some of them at least—never seem to think twice about going out to dinner or paying a $10 cover to hear a band.

^{Article Source: https://soopercu.learnbanzai.com/articles/the-cost-of-college-life}