Let’s be real — being a student in 2025 is basically a full-time hustle with a part-time bank account. You’ve got books, rent, coffee cravings, and random group project expenses that no one saw coming. But don’t worry, I gotchu. Here are 10 no-nonsense, life-saving money hacks to keep your wallet from flatlining. 💸
1. Cook Once, Eat Twice (or More)
Meal prep is your new religion. Cook in bulk — think pasta, rice bowls, or stir fry — and store ‘em for the week. It saves you time, energy, and like 500k per week on GoFood.
🔥 Pro tip: Invest in a rice cooker. It’s the broke student’s bestie.
2. Use the Student Discount Card Like a Pro
Spotify, Netflix, Adobe, Microsoft Office, even local cafes — they offer student discounts. All you need is your student ID and some smooth talking.
“Is there a student discount?” = Your new pickup line.
3. Budgeting Apps = Sanity
Install apps like Money Lover, Spendee, or YNAB. You don’t have to be a finance guru — just track your spending and set weekly goals.
Treat it like a game: how little can I spend this week and still survive?
4. Buy Second-Hand or Trade Stuff
Books? Second-hand. Clothes? Thrift. Gadgets? Marketplace. Your broke self has no business paying full price.
Also try bartering in student forums — “I’ll trade you this headphone for your unused power bank.”
5. Ditch the Fancy Coffee
We get it. You love your iced vanilla latte. But that’s 30k–50k a pop. Learn to make coffee at home — French press, cold brew, instant magic — whatever works.
Save that coffee shop money for actual emergencies… like Wi-Fi bills.
6. Use Public Transport or Carpool Like a Legend
Gojek’s nice, but your wallet cries every time you tap “Order.” Get a student commuter pass or find friends to split fuel/parking with.
Bonus points if you make new friends on the train.
7. Get a Part-Time Gig or Freelance Hustle
You don’t need to be a full-time influencer. Do tutoring, design on Canva, caption writing, or resell preloved items. Anything helps.
Got skills? Sites like Fiverr, Upwork, or even local FB groups are goldmines.
8. Unsubscribe From Impulse Temptation
All those newsletter discounts? Yeah, they’re traps. Unsubscribe. Out of sight = out of cart.
Clean your inbox, clean your mind, save your money.
9. Use Free Campus Resources
Need printing? Find that one free corner at the library. Need software? Check if your uni has free licenses. Need counseling? Most campuses have it.
You’re already paying tuition — milk every drop out of it.
10. Surround Yourself With Money-Smart Friends
It’s easier to save money when your circle isn’t throwing cash at every Friday night out. Find those budget-conscious homies who are down for “makan indomie bareng sambil nonton Netflix.”
Your vibe attracts your tribe… and your financial future.
💬 Final Thoughts
Look, being broke isn’t fun — but it doesn’t have to mean you’re doomed. With the right mindset and a few clever hacks, you can stretch that student allowance like a boss. Live cheap, laugh loud, save smart.
Now go out there and conquer college — one budget-friendly decision at a time. You got this. 💪💼