36 Money Saving Tips for Nursing Assistant Students

As a CNA student, you may be looking for ways to save money. Use this blog post as your guide on how to save money while in school. From tips about food and drink to saving cash by cooking at home, there are many easy ways that you can start saving now! So if you’re ready, let’s get started with these 36 money-saving tips!

1. Don’t buy new textbooks – Find them online or at a used bookstore for half of what you would normally pay. You can often get ebooks that are included with your purchase, so try to find professors who will let you access those resources instead of buying physical copies.
2. Don’t be ashamed to look for used books – Although there is nothing wrong with buying an old copy if it means that you will have to spend less money, just make sure that the book is still in good condition. If it doesn’t look like a reasonable purchase then consider borrowing one from your school’s library instead!
3. Find out if the library subscribes to any online journal databases – If this is an option at your school, you should definitely take advantage of it! Although there are some journals which can only be accessed in person, many schools have access codes so that students may read them online. Also, if you find yourself in need of a textbook but don’t want to pay for it, check your library’s digital collection and see if they have an electronic copy available!
4. Consider splitting the cost of textbooks with classmates – If you need to buy a brand new textbook but don’t want to pay full price then try sharing it instead. This can save a lot of money and help your friends out as well!
5. Find low-cost alternatives to school supplies – You might need to purchase some pens, pencils and notebooks at the start of your nursing school journey but after that there are often many other options out there. For example, consider trying to find used books or buying online if you’re looking for something specific.
6. Avoid Uber and Lyft – If you have a car, don’t waste your money on ride-sharing services. You can often get around campus more quickly without having to wait for the bus or track down someone who is headed in the same direction. Alternatively, use public transportation if it’s available where you live/go to school.
7. Take advantage of free events around campus – Whether you’re a freshman or on the last legs of your college career, there are many opportunities to go out and have fun without spending anything. A lot of times clubs will have meetings that include social events with no cover charge.
8. Take advantage of any potential financial aid – If you can get loans, grants, scholarship money, etc. then you should do it! If you don’t know if any of these options are available to you or how much money they’ll be worth, check out your school’s financial aid department for more information.
9. Find free transportation options – If you live on campus but have a car, consider selling it and using public transportation to get around. This will save you money not only on gas but also insurance! Alternatively, if there is no bus system where you live then walking or riding your bike everywhere can help too.
10. Don’t be afraid to look into different living arrangements – Whether sharing an apartment with roommates , staying in a dorm room or renting out your own place, there is something for every budget level. And if you’re willing to look hard enough then there are also many other options that aren’t listed on sites like Craigslist or Roomster , so always remember to do your research!
11. If possible, try living in a cheaper neighborhood – Although this might not always be the best idea depending on where you want to live , it’s something worth considering if there is an option. Living in a cheaper neighborhood might mean spending more time on public transport or taking some longer routes to get around, but it could be worth the trade-off if you’re struggling with money!
12. Take advantage of free entertainment – Although it can seem like an impossible feat when work and studying take up so much time , there is often free entertainment in your area. You just have to look for it! Whether that’s checking out the local library or going on a walk, taking some time out can be beneficial when you’re feeling overwhelmed with everything else!
13. Cook more meals at home – If you’re struggling with money then this might seem like an impossible task, but there are ways that students can still manage to save on food costs! For example, consider making meals that are easy to pack up and eat for lunch at school. Or try cooking larger quantities of food which can last you throughout the week!
14. Don’t eat in the cafeteria every day – Although there is nothing wrong with eating on campus (in fact many schools provide discounts to students who make this choice), if you are struggling financially it is usually better to eat in the dining hall only when necessary. You can also cook your own food or buy groceries and prepare them yourself, which will save even more money.
15. Don’t buy expensive coffee – Coffee is often something which can be very pricey , especially if you end up going to certain chain stores every day. However, there are many alternatives out there such as making some at home using a French press or just ordering something cheaper at the local coffee shop!
16. Look into food banks on/off campus – If money is tight during the school year then there is no shame in looking into places where you can get food on the cheap. Even if you don’t qualify for free groceries, many food pantries and similar institutions will give out non-perishable items like canned soup or pasta to students who can prove that they are enrolled at a certain college/university.
17. When going out to eat with friends, see if anyone is willing to split an entree – If you don’t want to be the person who always says “I’m not hungry”, consider paying half of what it would normally cost for a meal. Not only will this help your wallet, but it can also make friends less likely to invite themselves along when they know that there is going to be an extra expense.
18. Shop at thrift stores – There’s no need to buy new clothes when there are so many great options available at secondhand stores! You can find high quality items that look almost brand-new without the expensive price tag. Additionally, this is a great place to pick up textbooks that will be helpful for your classes.
19. Shop at stores that offer student discounts – Although it isn’t always possible for everyone to shop online, many businesses will give college students a special discount when buying in person. For example, Banana Republic often has half-off sales on their clothes for students who show their ID at the time of purchase.
20. Use coupons and deals – Whether online or in the real world, you should definitely take advantage of all the coupons that are out there! Look for deals on food, clothes, books or anything else that will help to cut down your expenses.
21. Stay aware of important dates – For example, many stores offer discounts around holidays like Christmas and back-to-school season. If possible try not to make any purchases at full price during this time, as you can almost always find a better deal if you are patient.
22. Always buy items that will serve more than one purpose – If you have to get a pair of jeans then consider purchasing ones with extra pockets or other details which can be used in a variety of situations. Not only does this help your wallet, but it also prevents having to take multiple trips when going out!
23. Cut down on unnecessary spending – For example, if you’re not going to be using your phone much during the summer then turn off the service to save money. If you’re not planning on eating out then consider canceling your meal plan at school, and if there are any subscriptions that aren’t worth it then drop them immediately.
24. Buy items in bulk if possible – If your family loves cereal but it’s not on sale at your local store then consider buying some online instead. This might be a more expensive option but it can save you money in the long run.
25. Avoid impulse purchases – This can be particularly difficult for many people, but it’s important to just take a step back and think before making any big purchases. Impulse buying is one of the primary causes of debt problems in America , so always try your best not to let yourself get carried away!
26. Try buying off-brand items – Although they might seem cheap , generic brand products are often just as good as their brand-name counterparts. If you don’t mind sacrificing a little bit of quality then buying off-brand products can be one way to save money while still getting all of the essentials!
27. Don’t pay full price for groceries – There are many ways to save money when buying groceries , such as avoiding certain parts of the store like produce and dairy. If you’re looking for fresh food then it’s often cheaper to get them from a local farmer’s market or even grow your own!
28. Don’t be afraid to get a part-time job – Depending on your situation, you might even consider taking an additional course or two in order to increase the amount of money that you’re earning. This not only helps you save up for future expenses but also gives you more opportunities down the line!
29. Pick up some extra shifts at work – Even if you’re not a fan of working for free then this often isn’t a bad idea to help save money on future expenses. And as long as it’s something that is safe and legal, there are few reasons why students shouldn’t be able to earn more during their time in school!
30. Don’t spend more than you earn – This is one of the most important money saving tips for CNA students, as it’s probably also one of the best pieces of advice that anyone could receive! It doesn’t matter how much or how little you earn, as it’s important to make sure that your income is covering all of your expenses. If this isn’t happening then there are likely some changes which need to be made!
31. Remember what you’re paying for – It’s important to remember that the cost of your education is going toward improving yourself as a person and increasing your future earnings potential. When this thought can be kept in mind, it often makes those student loan bills seem much more manageable!
32. Don’t be afraid to ask your professors for help – If money is tight then it’s pretty likely that some of your classes will seem more difficult than they should be. Although it might feel awkward at first asking the professor questions about the course material, they are usually willing to answer them if you’re respectful and polite.
33. Consider asking family members to provide support – If your parents are willing or able then there isn’t any harm in asking if they would be willing to help out. Although you might not want to bother them with such requests, it can definitely be worth a shot if they are willing to offer financial support in some way!
34. Think about where your money is going – Although it might seem like everything costs more than what you earn, if you think critically for a minute it becomes clear that this isn’t true. For example, when buying food in the dining hall take a look at all of your options and consider whether or not any items are worth the price tag.
35. Spend some time making a budget – Although this tip can seem obvious, it’s often easier said than done. But having a budget in place will allow you to plan out your expenses and see how much money you have left over. This can be a helpful way to make sure that you’re staying on track with saving money!
36. Be prepared for emergencies – Emergencies don’t wait until it’s convenient and they certainly won’t care if you’re currently drowning in student loan bills. You should always be sure to have some money set aside so that you can deal with any unexpected expenses without going into debt.

There are many ways to save money and reduce stress as a CNA student. However, it’s important to remember that your education should not suffer because of financial hardships. Don’t be afraid to take some time off if you feel like you need to or ask your friends and family for help! Good luck with all future CNA endeavors!