42 Things To Help You Save Money During College

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Saving money left and right *while* getting an education deserves its own college degree, tbh.

BuzzFeed Staff

BuzzFeed Staff

It has 42 pages, including seven page styles: a task list, weekly planner, monthly calendar, goal template, idea list, dot-grid, and lined pages. It also comes with a Pilot Frixion pen and microfiber cloth.

Promising review: "I am a college student, and being able to write all my notes manually helps me retain information over typing them, plus I can add drawings to my notes. So, I put them all in my Fusion and scan them to classroom files on my computer in typed format. From there I can review them or send them to classmates who are always begging for copies of notes. I also use the weekly planners extensively to write down when projects or essays are due and when I have extracurricular events. I use the action plan sheet to quickly outline my essays and projects. The Fusion is lightweight; I can take it anywhere with me easily without having the weight of a computer dragging me down. It's just as durable as a plastic covered notebook, so if you use some caution, you'll be fine with the cover it comes with. Its multi-functionality is awesome. Seriously, go out and get yourself these tools today. You won't regret it." —Jean Gray

Get it from Amazon for $37+ (available in two sizes and 14 colors).

Promising review: "I discovered these a month ago, and it has changed my life! No more Post-it notes that fall off and get stuck underneath shoes. Not to mention better for the environment. These are amazing. I have a stainless steel fridge, so I can’t use magnets. But I can use these! I put them on the fridge, on my kids' doors, TV, windows...anywhere, really. I especially love this brand as it comes with a nice little folder to keep them in as well as a marker, and the bright colors are just fantastic. Can’t say enough about these!" —jh

Get a pack of 12 for $15.99+ (available in three sizes and in packs of six).

Promising review: "This is such a cute jumpsuit! Versatile, can dress it down with flip flops, or dress it up with heels. The pant leg came all the way down to my ankles (I’m 5’0”) but I just pulled the pant legs up, it’s super cute. It’s super comfy, material is breathable." —Sunnshiney

Get it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in women's sizes S–3XL and 35 colors/patterns).

Add water and dry noodles, stick it in the microwave, strain it, and you're done! It also doubles as a strainer, and you can use the holes in the lid to portion out long pastas.

Promising review: "I love pasta, but I hate *making* pasta. Too many pots, pans, strainer, cleanup, etc. Forget it. And after a long day at work when I am craving pasta, all I want to do is eat right away. This pasta cooker cooked pasta better than I have ever cooked pasta in my life. I am Italian, so as you can imagine I have eaten (and made myself) a LOT of pasta. This product is a game changer. It was extremely easy to use, cooked quickly, and it came out PERFECTLY. Not over cooked, a little al dente, but not firm. Perfection. Now I have no excuse not to cook pasta for myself (and my husband) practically every day. BUY THIS. It will change your life." —Hope Lanza

Get it from Amazon for $17.99.

Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action.

Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three colors).

Marley's Monsters is a family-owned small biz based in Eugene, Oregon, making eco-friendly home goods, from reusable plastic wrap alternatives to garbage pail liners!

Promising review: "Really glad I invested in these! They do a great job cleaning up and it’s really easy to roll them back up on the holder. I wanted just basic, traditional white, but was really nervous doing so — however, the marks and stains remove fairly easily. If you’re on the fence about making the switch to reusable paper towels, just go for it and get these!" —Kayla Simons

Get a 24-pack from Amazon for $64.99 (available in 18 styles) or a 24-pack with a wooden holder from Marley's Monsters on Etsy for $96 (available in mixed solids, mixed prints, or white).

Porter Lee's is a woman-owned small biz based in Portland, Oregon, that specializes in the ~cutest~ reusable home goods.

Former BuzzFeed Shopping editor Daniel Boan can vouch for these sponges: "If you have a dishwasher in your home, I want you to go up it to right now and give it a giant hug. Don't you EVER take that beautiful appliance for granted ever again. Hand-washing dishes is my least favorite daily task, so I've been looking for products to make it a bit less of a hassle. I've also been trying to switch to more eco-friendly items when possible, so I knew these washable sponges from PorterLees on Etsy would be right up my alley. I was right — they're pretty life-changing. It takes a few uses to get used to the thin design, but they work just as well as regular sponges and are so easy to throw in the washing machine once they start getting a little gross — which means I can cross off sponges from my shopping list forever!"

Get it from Porter Lee's on Etsy for $9 (available in four colors and in multipacks).

Promising review: "I bought this a while ago because I felt like there was often too much product I couldn’t reach using the built in applicator. Each bottle is 1 ounce, and I had five 'empties' to test this spatula on. I got so much product out of these old bottles that I had to stop before finishing every bottle. My two ounce container is practically over flowing! Thanks to this little spatula, I now have two full bottles worth of foundation potted to use. The spatula is pointed and I think for these bottles a square shaped spatula would have been more efficient, but nevertheless the deed is done! So impressed! (And, considering the cost of each bottle, I saved about $70 worth of foundation that I love and is no longer being sold!)" —Krystal

Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (also available as a two-pack).

It's long enough to reach the bottom of those economy-size tubs, too!

Promising review: "My sons eat peanut butter all the time. Thought this PB knife would be a great surprise for them and help cut down on waste left in the jar. This is a really good purchase! Well made, sturdy construction, total length about 12 inches (blade and handle). Edge is not sharp, but it IS sturdy. Washes well in the dish washer. My guys actually love getting ALL the peanut butter from the jar, like a little challenge – cost savings the fun way. Shipping was super fast. Very happy all the way around. Recommend seller and product. A+ experience." —Revelun

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in colors red and white and in multipacks).

This cover is designed for the following keyboards: 13-inch MacBook Air (models A1369 and A1466),13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display (models A1425 and A1502),15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display (model A1398), 13-inch MacBook Pro with CD-ROM Drive (model A1278), 15-inch MacBook Pro with CD-ROM Drive (model A1286) and iMac Wireless 1st Gen Keyboard (model MC184LL/B).

Promising review: "I don't eat over my laptop but somehow it picks up crumbs, dust, etc. during my daily use. Before finding this keyboard cover, I was regularly cleaning my keyboard with canned air. That, however, is a thing of the past. This keyboard cover fits perfectly, sticks so that I don't have to shift it over the keys EVER, and most importantly keeps the keyboard clean. A quick swipe with a cleaning cloth is all it needs, if ever. Love it." —BVES

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in 29 colors and for other models here).

Promising review: "I LOVE this product so much! I drink iced coffee on the daily but the system I had just wasn't cutting it for me. I didn't know how to brew cold coffee at home (all we have is a Keurig, and there's no cold brew option) so I would go buy iced coffee from Dunkin' every morning. Now don't get me wrong, I love my Dunkin', but I wanted to find a way to be able to make that same iced coffee at HOME, and I think my wallet and gas tank wanted me to figure that out too. I found out about this product through TikTok and it is a GAME CHANGER. All you have to do is put coffee grounds in the filter, fill up the main compartment 3/4 full with water (I use water from my fridge), screw the filter into the lid and screw the lid shut, shake it a little to put the coffee grounds to work, and let it do its magic for 12–24 hours! This is probably the best investment I've ever made. You need this!!" —Carmen E.

Get it from Amazon for $37.99.

Promising review: "It’s the PERFECT size for my dorm room. Super pretty color and super cute. Nothing bad to say about this product. Shipped quickly and works great. Can’t wait for my 2 a.m. essay coffees with this bad boy!" —Mary

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in six colors).

These BPA-free plastic cups are designed to work in any Keurig brewer.

Promising review: "Really like these reusable K-Cups. I hated wasting so much plastic using regular K-Cups and found this to use as an alternative. I have had these for two years and they have held up great! Easily to fill, clean really nicely, and no complaints! And it's great you can put your own coffee in so you're not stuck to certain brands or flavors. Highly recommend if you are trying to be more environmentally friendly." —Amazon Customer

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8.49+ (also available as a two-pack and in a pack with different colors).

Don't forget the AA batteries!

Promising review: "OMG, this milk frother makes my homemade latte taste like it was made by a barista. It was perfect. So perfect that I bought a second one for my brother who loves coffee to use. I've already recommended it to some coworkers. It has changed my coffee-drinking life. This comes highly recommended." —Michelle

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 45 options).

This easily fits on the yellow (or blue!) Swiffer duster handle!

TS Designs is a West Leroy, Michigan-based small business that sells fun gifts and decor along with eco-friendly items.

Promising review: "Great washable duster replacement tops. They vacuum off and wash up easily, and they grab dust and cobwebs every bit as well as the disposable ones I was using. Considering it means putting a bit less into landfills and also saving money in the long run, I only wish I had bought these years ago, sincerely. Also they shipped very promptly and arrived sooner than expected, so that was a pleasant surprise. Thanks!" —otherlings

Get it from TS Designs on Etsy for $4.49+ (originally $4.99+; available in 10 colors and in multipacks).

These are compatible with the original Swiffer Sweeper and can be used wet OR dry and on almost every type of flooring. They're washable, so one microfiber pad can replace up to 100 single-use pads! The company also sells a version of the mop pads that work with the Swiffer Wet Jet!

Turbo Mops is a family-run small business that wants to help you live (and clean) more sustainably.

Promising review: "Just used these for the first time with my Swiffer Wet Jet and I gotta say I am impressed! Went on easily and cleaned the floors easily! I always hated the one-time use pads and never felt like they got my floor clean. This review is NOT sponsored, I bought these with my own money because I’m sick of single-use products. Seriously, buy these now!!!" —AKGross

Get a set of two from Amazon for $17.75.

Each bag can hold up to 50 pounds (!) and one even comes insulated for frozen items! Plus, you can throw 'em into the washing machine when they start smelling funky.

Promising review: "I love these bags! They have made grocery shopping less stressful. I feel better not using all those plastic bags, they fit so much, and they handle heavy stuff like a champ. We have to go downstairs to get to our apartment and these make it so much easier! (The cooler bag is awesome too for ice cream and other frozen stuff!)" —Shannon

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $49.99.

Promising review: "This is one of those products that you never knew was missing from your life. It cuts paper, slices envelopes, opens plastic packaging, and cuts coupons from magazines without damaging the second page, all without danger of cutting your hand." —aJayM

Get it from Amazon for $5.09+ (also available in packs of 12 or 48).

Promising review: "This cleanser is great! It fully removes all makeup from the brushes without leaving them feeling beat up (I'm not the most gentle when it comes to cleaning brushes). I use a thick foundation that soaks heavily into the bristles, but this removed it all. At first, I thought it was a bit thin, but after using it, a little bit goes a long way. It has a nice lather, but very nicely and easily rinses out. I use this with the 'MelodySusie Big Size Brush Cleaner' scrubby from Amazon. I was able to clean my brushes much faster than normal, and I feel more confident that I got all the makeup off the bristles. This has a very slight (not strong at all) scent of grapefruit. It's refreshing without me having to worry about it irritating my face or leaving a fragrance left on my brushes." —Kryssy

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (also available as a two-pack and in travel sizes).

It's got two sides — one that can wipe off all your makeup with water and light scrubbing, and another that exfoliates your skin. And each one lasts for up to five years!

Promising review: "Love the softness, it takes off waterproof makeup quickly and easily! I immediately had to order a second one. Saves money on face cleansers and waterproof mascara removers. An excellent purchase." —Judith C. Mercer

Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in colors pink and cream).

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Natalie Brown highly recommends investing in these: "The vents regulate the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide and keeps moisture away so your strawberries taste freshly picked days and days and days later. I recently got a couple of these and a bunch of basil and strawberries stayed fresh for SO LONG!!"

Promising review: "These containers are magical little gems and in my opinion worth every single penny that I paid for them. We buy a lot of fruit and greens (lettuce, kale, spinach, etc.) Normally, I can expect these items to start to go bad in my refrigerator by the end of the week after I've brought them home from the grocery store. These containers have changed my life! My strawberries stay fresher longer, as does the kale and spinach and I am a convert. I need about three more of these so that I have one for my grapes and other fruits. I also have the larger size and it does exactly what it says. No joke we went out of town for one week and came home and the strawberries still looked healthy and were ready to eat. Um... yes, please? I would recommend these to any and everyone." —Dee

Get it from Amazon for $29.16+ (available in five sizes and in packs of two or three).

Check out our full Rubbermaid FreshWorks produce container review!

Promising review: "These are so helpful if your fridge is cluttered. I bought these for my mom who is an extremely cluttered person. I love her to death, but she is not an organized person. Her fridge used to look wild. There would be food piled on top of food, and small jars and containers EVERYWHERE. I bought her these to help her organize everything. Now she can see what she has and everything has a place. Thank you for making something like this to help those that are so cluttered." —MioRioZio

Get a set of six from Amazon for $17.49.

Reviewers say they're an excellent alternative for Mr. Clean Magic Erasers — and much more affordable!

Promising review: "As good as Mr. Clean Magic Erasers but half the price. They clean so many surfaces better than anything. We use them at the bar and clean our chalkboards, metal sinks and ice wells, beer coolers, FRP backsplash walls, and even graffiti in the bathrooms comes off more easily with these than other cleaning products. I took one home and cleaned my shower faster and more easily than with bottles of shower cleaner. Highly recommended." —Stephen Brandau

Get a 20-pack from Amazon for $13.95.

To learn more, check out BuzzFeed's STK extra-thick magic cleaning sponges review.

BuzzFeed Shopping senior writer Emma Lord says: "I (begrudgingly!!) got these a few months ago for my Mac charger, because apparently the journey from my bedroom to the living room was just too much for my fragile cord's heart to bear, and it was starting to get worn at the charger end. This spiraled on in less than 10 seconds and has been great in terms of making sure the charger is still flexible and has some give, but isn't bending itself backward and daring me to let it break, either. Also loved how affordable it was compared to a $30 replacement charger."

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $4.45+ (available in gray or multicolor, and as a pack of five).

It's got air frying, roasting, baking, dehydrating, pressure-cooking, slow-cooking — takes breath — steaming, sautéeing, sterilizing, warming, rice-cooking, and yogurt-making functions!

Promising review: "This has changed my life! The air fryer is SO MUCH more efficient than my old air fryer. I was able to get rid of my rice cooker, crock pot, and air fryer. The Sous Vide mode is a game changer in making perfect medium rare meats. You can throw meat in there frozen and it comes out super tender and never dry. Just BUY IT!!!!" —susie v clewellclancy

Another promising review: "What else can you say about this product? It will replace three appliances that I use on a regular basis — rice cooker, air fryer, and pressure cooker. That's important to me because at this point kitchen space is at a premium. The packaging is great, the instructions are very clear and well written and it works very well. The first use was to make chicken bone broth using the pressure cooker feature. It worked flawlessly. Two-hour cook time. It takes 10 minutes prep, 30 minutes to cool off. Three hours later I had homemade bone broth in the refrigerator. And the whole house didn't smell for 24 hours like it would with an open pot method. Anyway, the instant pot is a huge kitchen innovation IMO. Just get one, and use it." —Josh Brainard

Get it from Amazon for $132.10+ (available in two sizes and styles).

It comes with both fine and wide-teeth sides to suit thin and thick hair. Also, some people said they use this on their pets as a quick grooming solution!

Promising review: "I recently got a pixie haircut, I was hesitant to get one based on the fact that I'd have to get frequent haircuts, the cost of which would add up quickly. I did some research on youtube and found some videos using the tinkle hair cutter to trim hair in between salon visits. I LOVE this thing! It is easy to give a little trim or a drastic cut, both of which I have done since getting the tinkle cutter. I was very nervous to try it fearing that I might mess up my hair so I just did a little bit first, but it was easy and only takes off small amounts of hair at a time. Remember, I have a pixie cut — if you have long hair it will cut that off! Basically all you have to do is comb your hair in the direction it grows until you're satisfied with the cut. Seven months post-pixie haircut and I have only been to the salon once to have a re-shaping done of my hair. I will say that when the cutter feels like it's 'pulling' your hair, it's time to get new razors. I still prefer my pixie cut to be pretty short and assuming I would have to go to the salon once a month for upkeep I have saved $210 since having my hair cut. TOTALLY WORTH IT!" —brandi in louisiana

Get it from Amazon for $3.90 (also available in packs of four or 10).

Promising review: "This is my go-to product to save me money so I don't have to go to the salon every month. Buys me a couple of months in between professional coloring. This is really easy to apply and I never have a problem matching whatever shade the salon uses on my hair." —Amanda Scott

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $13.94+ (available in seven colors).

Each kit includes four adapters in different sizes to fit pretty much any bottle.

Promising review: "Well worth it! Think of all the product in bottles you waste every year by not using something like this. It certainly covers the cost of this item! I love it!" —Rock360

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $16 (also available as a six-pack).

Promising review: "I love how this works. The bottom of the squeezer is weighted so it holds the tube well. I will get every last bit of toothpaste out of that tube for sure. It is really a money saver. No more throwing away partially empty tubes of toothpaste because you can't get to the last bits." —QltrGrl

Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

These are 100% natural and biodegradable!

Eco Habit is a UK-based small business specializing in multi-use products.

Promising review: "These food wraps are so lovely and useful! I hated constantly throwing away cling film so now I have an easier conscience!" —oster1999noemie

Get a pack of six from Eco Habit on Etsy for $13.23.

These BPA-free, leakproof silicone bags are made of food-grade material, plus they come with that super-satisfying zipper we all know and love. Just be sure to wash and dry by hand.

Promising review: "I love these! I am slowly replacing my Ziplocs with these reusable bags and I love using them. They hold up well in the freezer, clean well, and look good as new for the next time. Had one get stained from a tomato sauce, and after a few hours in the sun the stains disappeared. Loved them so much I bought extras like it as gifts." —A.N.

Get a six-pack of gallon bags from Amazon for $14.99 (available in gray or multicolor and a variety of sizes and assortments).

Promising review: "I LOVE my Kindle Paperwhite! I recently upgraded from an old Kindle that didn't have a backlight, and what a difference. I really love being able to read in bed at night without needing to have a light on. The battery life is fantastic. The Kindle is great for travel, so you don't have to dedicate luggage space to a large number of books, but also great for just keeping with you or having around the house. It's so lightweight and thin. I recommend for any avid reader!" —Marissa T

Read BuzzFeed's Kindle Paperwhite review for more info! (Review is of the 2018 version).

Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in three colors, with or without ads, and in 8GB or 32GB versions).

Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Shep's Wool is a small biz specializing in wool products like crafting supplies and the coziest-looking blankets.

Promising review: "These are lovely — so big, so round, so firm! Would recommend if you're interested in shifting to dryer balls away from dryer sheets — these do the trick!" —Ferris

Get each one from Shep's Wool on Etsy for $8 (available in gray or white).

This 28-piece set is dishwasher *and* microwave safe and comes with bowls, plates, cups, and cutlery for four.

Promising review: "The packaging was simple and these plates are exactly the no-fuss daily use product we wanted. The box was so small that I was worried I had ordered kids’ plates, but they are actually full-size plates and bowls, as well as cutely packaged silverware. They even included a little foldable cup. I love the colors, but mostly I love that they are wheat straw instead of plastic. It is an excellent choice." —umbo

Get it from Amazon for $36.99 (available in five colors).

When it's time to clean, just pop out the little ball, rinse, and air dry.

Promising review: "First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. It was backordered but then I got an email saying it was in stock and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it's washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful." —Kelsey B.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

Just swap out the inserts to go from one function to another!

Promising review: "I LOVE this little spiralizer! I couldn’t wait to try it as soon as I got it. I have a big machine that is heavy and bulky and although it’s great I wanted something small for convenience. This does not disappoint. I did cut my zucchini in half because I felt it was easier to hold. It made amazing noodles. I did try all the spiral styles and they all were perfect. Cleanup is a breeze since it is small. I was worried that it would be tough to use ( like a manual cheese grater) but it wasn’t. I am extremely happy with this purchase and would highly recommend!" —Lisa

Another promising review: "I haven’t had a chance to use all the attachments but the ones I have used have worked perfectly. I’m a single person and this is just the right size for me. It has measuring units marked on the side so I know how many ounces there are, which makes things so much easier for my meal prepping. It has all the attachments I can think of that you would need. All the attachments click together, which makes storage extremely convenient. I think this is a great product!" —tab

Get it from Amazon for $19.98 (also available in four- and six-in-one styles).

Promising review: "Very solid product. It does exactly what it claims to do. It snaps on to any can I have easily, then opens and closes shut again for storage in my fridge. As you can see in my pictures, it’s leakproof when closed. I think it will be a great addition to my kitchen." —w_starling

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $12.55 (available in clear or multicolor, and in multipacks).

Promising review: "I saw this product on TikTok and automatically liked it! I love that it comes in so many different colors and the top is wood. I drink lots of water and needed a cup I could take with me everywhere. I could also put iced coffee in it too. I love that it came with two straws, a clear one and white. I will be purchasing another one for my husband and also one for my mom in different colors!" —Rose

Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in 24 colors and in multipacks).

And they come with a cute little cleaning brush and carrying bag!

Promising review: "These straws completely changed my life and I can't imagine living without them. You don’t even understand how astounding these straws are!!! I LOVE THEM! Never could go without them!!!!" —Amazon Customer

Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three styles and in multipacks).

The Hate Stains Co. is a small biz that was founded by a parent who set out to create a stain remover that was nontoxic but effective.

Promising review: "I've tried Shout wipes, stain removal pens, and all the other tricks in the book. This removes organic stains from sweat better than anything I've tried thus far. I followed the directions, got the fabric wet, sprayed it on, and left it to chill for an hour. When I came back, I was dumbfounded. I can't believe I didn't have this sooner, I'm about to buy a gallon!" —Mark, the solid 7 out of 10

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (also available in packs of two or three, and with on-the-go wipes).

You can also use 'em for reheating fries, chicken nuggets — you know, all the important food groups.

Promising review: "I had no idea how well these would work. You can put toast or rolls or anything that will fit in the slot — even if it has jelly or spread or anything on it — in the bag in the toaster and it doesn't hurt the toaster, and the food comes out warm." —mare36

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8.99 (also available as a 10-pack).

It easily slips into your cup holder or console.

Promising review: "I cannot say how much to this day I absolutely love this product. As far as products I would never give up in my life, this is 100% one of them. I couldn't live without this anymore and have recommended it to so many people. It eliminates loose change in your car, helps you start to save your change a little better, helps with drive-thrus or places you could use exact change to save a buck (or $20), and has helped me in so many more situations. Over two years, four different cars, and more than a thousand dollars through it, it still functions exactly like day #1. The springs still work great despite how much change has been through it, being carried and dropped, moving between houses and dorms, and just general abuse like any object in your car. It's a great gift or something to help someone with a messy car. Absolutely recommend!" —NickDeMartin

Get it from Amazon for $10.99.

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.