Budgeting tips for college students in San Francisco
Living in San Francisco is not known as the most affordable living. In California, it is one of the most expensive cities. Being there as a student can be challenging because of its high prices. With some budgeting tips for college students in San Francisco, you will be able to manage the budget you have, no matter how tight it is. Most people say that college life is the best time of life, and it is.
Preparing for moving
The first step is to move to college. This will be the first cost you will have. That is why you should organize a relocation to a college in San Francisco in advance, it is not enough just to look for affordable housing for students in California – but you should also look for affordable ways to relocate. Especially if you are moving long-distance.
Finding affordable movers
Choose a way how to transport all your items to college. Luckily, there are a lot of movers from San Francisco that have experience with college relocations. You can stay within the budget and still team up with professionals and you do not have to worry about the safety of your items.
Some moving companies have discounts for students, ask for a better deal. Another way to move cheaper is to book a move in advance and if you have a friend(s) that are also moving to San Francisco, hire a mover together and split the moving costs. You probably won’t move a lot of items, which means that there will be a lot of free space in a moving vehicle.
Packing for college
College dorms are small – keep that in mind. This means that you won’t be able to move all your clothing, toiletries, pillows, etc. Pack and move only the most essential items to college. Talk to your future roommate and know who will bring what. You don’t need 2 coffee makers or 2 toasters, for example.
Organize packing and think twice. Get moving boxes for free in supermarkets, local shops, and restaurants, and don’t waste money on packing material if you don’t have to. Even if you will live in San Francisco off-campus, you probably won’t have a large apartment. Housing is very expensive in San Francisco, and that is why a lot of people have a roommate(s).
The best budgeting tips for college students in San Francisco these days
Are there simple budgeting tips for college students in San Francisco, since this city is known as one of the most expensive cities in the USA? Don’t worry, you just need to be prepared in advance. If you can find a job on the summer vacation before college starts, it will be a relief. Utilize those couple of months to earn more.
Find college student discounts
Download college student apps to know where you can get student discounts. These discounts often include food, coffee, clothes, fitness, events, museums, bus tickets, etc. Some of the stuff you can get for free like moving boxes. To make packing for college easy, simply ask for advice and find a packing guide.
Find a part-time student job
In San Francisco, you can find a lot of part-time jobs created for students. There are plenty of companies and small businesses that ask for students. Work in restaurants, libraries, bookstores, coffee shops, walk dogs, babysit, etc. Having an income source will help you and your parents too and you can afford more things and have more fun for yourself.
Track your spending
The first step in budgeting tips for college students in San Francisco is to track all your expenses. Even the smallest ones. This will also help you set long-term financial goals. Know the current state of your finances and how much money you will need for one month. By tracking your spending, you will know how much money you exactly need for your habits. There are apps that can track finances instead of you.
Spend below your means
Don’t spend all the money you have. Always set aside some amount of money. Spend less than you earn – it is a key if you want always to be in a plus when it comes to money. Have your savings, just in case. Know your income, and track your spending, and you will not have a problem cutting some of the costs.
Renting a storage space
Where to put your items during the summer, if your home is far away from San Francisco, you cannot travel every month for new clothing. This is why a lot of college students in California rent storage units. It may sound like an expensive option, but with a couple of tips, you won’t spend a lot of money.
First of all, it will be more expensive for you to travel back home to bring your items and to return some of them. Renting a storage unit is a cheaper option. Second of all, you can rent a self-storage from Rockstar Pro Movers, with your college friends and split the monthly costs. As you can see, having a storage unit does not have to be hard to handle financially.
Staying in San Francisco after college
Because San Francisco is a tech hub in the USA, the economy is strong as well as the job market, a lot of college students decide to stay in San Francisco after graduation which can be a good career plan. Living in San Francisco as a young professional is a great option where you can develop yourself and get experience.
The costs of living are not cheap, but if you have a roommate and a financial plan, you will handle it. Use some of the budgeting tips for college students in San Francisco after graduation as well. You should find a job in San Francisco relatively fast after graduation and your first apartment.
