How to Get an Education on a Budget: Money-Saving Tips

It’s no secret that getting an education can be a costly investment- but it doesn’t always have to break the bank. Here are some great ways to save money and not sacrifice your academics: 

Consider fully online programs 

While there are benefits to attending college on-campus, fully online programs offer just as many advantages. Taking an online program or course online can not only save you time and offer a flexible schedule, but you will save on gas, wear and tear on your car, and costly parking passes. Having a more convenient class schedule can also provide the opportunity to work more, allowing the student to generate a higher monthly income. 

Go for a certificate instead of a degree program Degree programs are valuable. But they can be one of the largest expenses in your life and often cause high debt and financial stress. Certificate programs are a great alternative as they are thousands of dollars cheaper, take up much less time, and you can explore various subjects without spending too much or investing too much time. Studies have shown that certificate programs do help with employment and increased salary opportunities. Recent studies show that employees with certifications in particular areas tend to earn a higher overall salary than those who do not have a certification. 

Check out websites selling used textbooks 

Depending on your subject of interest, you may or may not need textbooks to complete a course or program. Academic textbooks can be very expensive, especially if new editions are published each year. Instead of purchasing textbooks out of a school library or bookstore, consider checking out used books on selling websites. Students can save hundreds on books- studies show an average of over $1,200 spent for freshman students on books and course materials. 

Get a budgeting notebook to help track spending

Tracking your monthly expenses against your monthly income is one of the most effective ways to ensure you are not overspending and can save money. Purchasing a budgeting book and reviewing your finances can help put you on a path to financial success, and to see what you need per year to be able to get an education. Budgeting and tracking books are generally cheap and are super helpful. 

Start a separate savings account 

Starting a savings account can help you to stay within the budget you set for yourself. Keeping money in a separate account where you don’t have the easiest access to withdraw or transfer can help build your savings. Setting monthly or biweekly goals is helpful- for example, you may want to set aside $100 per check into your savings account. This not only increases saved money for education, but also for unexpected things such as needing to get your car fixed. 

Are you looking to explore affordable education options?

Researching educational options is the best way to see which programs fit your schedule and your budget. Check out Focus EduSolutions today- we are a higher education company offering fully online certificate programs, including boot camps, to prepare you for a great career at an affordable cost. 

                                                 
References

Hamilton, J. (2022, May 18). Does it Pay to Get a Career Certification? Clearance Jobs. Retrieved September 5, 2023, from https://news.clearancejobs.com/2022/05/18/does-it-pay-to-get-a-career-certification/

Welding, L. (2023, March 27). Average Cost of College Textbooks: Full Statistics. Best Colleges. Retrieved September 5, 2023, from https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/average-cost-of-college-textbooks-statistics/#:~:text=Data%20Summary,per%20class%20on%20course%20materials.