How to Live on $50/Week in College: 7 Real Budget Hacks That Work

Trying to live on $50 a week as a college student? 😩 Sounds tough, but it’s 100% doable—with the right money hacks. 💡

This guide gives you 7 real, actionable strategies that actually work—even in Tier 1 countries like the U.S., UK, and Canada. 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇨🇦

Table of Contents

1. Stick to a Cash-Only System

If you swipe, you overspend.Withdraw $50 in cash every Monday. That’s your week’s budget—no excuses, no extra spending.

Bonus tip: Use a free budgeting app like Goodbudget or EveryDollar to track your spending daily.

Eating out = budget killer. Here’s a weekly student meal plan for under $20

Use stores like Aldi, Lidl, or Dollar Tree for cheap ingredients.

Cut Uber, cut buses. Use your legs or your school’s free shuttle services. It saves you $10-$20/week easily.

Plus: Better for your health = no gym membership needed.

Skip Netflix.

Use free campus Wi-Fi, game nights, free movie screenings, student union events. You’re already paying tuition-use the perks!

Visit websites like:

You can get:

Cancel:

Use student freebies like:

Even $10-$20/week in extra income makes a huge difference.

Try:

You’re not just surviving anymore-you’re thriving.

It’s not about sacrifice-it’s about strategy.

If you:

…you’ll not only survive-you’ll build financial discipline for life.

Want more money-saving hacks? Explore our Best Budget Apps for Students to track your weekly spending!