While I’m trying to survive getting a new tour up on it’s feet, here’s a guest post from Nate Matherson of LendEDU, a website for students looking to consolidate their student loan debt and find great advice on how to survive financially while paying it off. If that applies to you, here are a few tips from him to get started.  

Saving money is a topic that’s near and dear to the heart of just about every college student or recent graduate out there these days. Tuition fees, student loans, and living expenses can cause young adults to feel like they’ll never crawl out of the hole of debt created by seeking a higher education. However, there are some savvy ways students can maximize every dollar without making big sacrifices. Here are the top six ways to save money if you’re a student or new graduate.

Skip the Most Expensive College Meal Plan

Food can really cut into the budget of a student. You can trim your monthly living costs by figuring out how robust of a meal plan you actually need instead of merely opting for the one that provides the most food. Make each meal go farther by loading up on protein-rich, healthy foods instead of sugary treats and carbohydrates that will leave you feeling famished in a few hours. You can also supplement your meal plan with inexpensive meals that you prepare at home alone or with roommates.

Keep the Loans for Education Only

It can be tempting to use money from loans to purchase a new car, pay monthly rental fees or finance a vacation. However, you will probably regret that decision once you spend years and years paying off loans that didn’t go toward your education.

Trim Unnecessary Entertainment Purchases

Little luxuries really add up. Every penny you spend on entertainment is a penny that could be going towards the cost of tuition or student loans. Keep costs low by using services like Spotify and Pandora to legally listen to music for free instead of purchasing music. You can also cut out your pricey cable package in favor of a cheaper alternative like Netflix or Hulu.

Volunteer Instead of Going Away on Spring Break

The fun of going on a spring break vacation is extremely fleeting. While other students are heading off to sunny destinations to party, you could be volunteering. Aside from boosting your resume and helping you make professional contacts, volunteering will also help you to avoid spending money on a vacation.

Make Your Own Coffee

It’s amazing that so many people shell out several dollars per day for a java fix when they could simply mix hot water with some coffee grinds at home to get virtually the same result. If you’re in the habit of stopping for coffee every morning, start brewing at home and pocket the savings for more important things.

Take Care of Your Books

Academic books are anything but cheap these days! Every student looks forward to the end of the semester when they can trade in their used books for cash. However, every rip, tear and ding you make in your books decreases their value. Treat your books with care all semester long so you can get the maximum amount possible when you go to trade them in.

Use Your Student Discount

You can show your student identification card at many places to receive discounts on everything from laptops to food. Don’t make any large purchases without first asking if the retailer you’re buying from offers a student discount. In fact, you should get in the habit of asking if a store or restaurant offers student discounts every time you make a purchase. Failing to ask is like leaving money on the table.