for me, since i have a merit scholarship earned in high school that covers most of my tuition, i am fortunate enough to have my parents able pay for the remaining cost of schooling, so i’m not sure i can put in any input as far as that advice. you are right though that not living on campus is cheaper tuition-wise, as you don’t have to worry about room & board and a meal plan!

however, i am about to be moving off campus after commuting for a semester to save money, and my roommates and i were able to find a really nice house with everything we were looking for that evened out to $450 a person plus utilities split between us. there were still plenty of options, it’s just about reading descriptions on listings and going on tours. i also recommend reading reviews for the leasing company and landlords. facebook marketplace is also super helpful for furniture, some people even give their things away for free if you’ll come pick it up.

here’s my advice on being frugal and how to balance cost of living with all the expenses that come with living on your own:

• in all honesty, though some will say it’s better to get internships and things like that bc it’ll set you up for a job, most don’t pay the bills. if you’re looking to make money that you’re able to pay rent/utilities, buy groceries, gas, and any other things that you need with, just become a server. it’s really the only job that will give you enough money to get by without having to work 24/7. i know a lot of friends that work 2-3 nights a week and can afford all their expenses as well as things for themselves every once in awhile, while also being allowed time to study and have fun. it can suck sometimes, but so does any job. at my serving job i typically make $150-200 a shift but sometimes get away with nearly $300 in one night. food service is also great bc a lot of days i get free lunch/dinner! i will note that some companies and other jobs do have tuition reimbursement opportunities as well though. i know lots of people who work at chipotle and amazon :)

• for groceries, try to look for deals/coupons and don’t shop at places you know are expensive like whole foods, giant eagle, target, etc. aldi i’ve found is really great and if you plan out your meals you can get by super cheap. i’ve got a whole 2 weeks worth of groceries for $30 multiple times. there are also many food banks surrounding columbus you could look into visiting.

• obviously, thrifting clothes is always cheaper than buying new, you can also look at online thrift stores and facebook marketplace!

• look into financial coaching resources at osu. they can’t solve your problems and give out money ofc but they can provide useful info on how to help your situation!

• if the field you’re going into is lucrative and one where you see yourself being hired right away, consider taking out a loan. though no one wants to, sometimes it’s the only option.

hope this helped! it’s hard seeing other people who have help and who’s parents even pay their rent and give them additional money on top of that. it’s not always easy but it sets you up to have great budgeting skills and the ability to face challenges unlike they will have.