You may have heard the joke about how college students are paying for their education by stuffing cash in envelopes, bottles, and jars. It may sound silly, but it’s actually a brilliant idea.
Did you know? One in five college students has less than $100 in their bank account! It’s no secret that they need creative ways to save money so they can afford all the fun things that come with being young and free. Cash stuffing is one of them. This method isn’t only for those on a budget—it’s also great for anyone wanting better control over their finances.
What Is Cash Stuffing?
Cash stuffing is a gratifying way to save money. It involves stuffing cash into an empty container—and you can get creative with this: bottles, mason jars, envelopes—the options are endless. While this isn’t a novel idea, it’s been trending on social media channels like TikTok.
How Does It Work?
Let’s say you choose to use envelopes for cash stuffing. You’d assign each envelope to a category of fundamental expenses:
- Rent
- Utilities
- Groceries/food
- Books
- Tuition
Students place budgeted amounts in the appropriate envelope. Since each envelope has a label stating its purpose, they know where their money goes each month.
Some may even create extra envelopes for an emergency fund or entertainment. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to envelope stuffing. So, feel free to find your groove and do what works for you.
Why Do College Students Like Cash Stuffing?
The concept of cash stuffing has taken off as an exciting way for people to save money while doing something creative and fun. Students like the challenge of coming up with something daily to “stuff” into their envelopes or containers. Plus, they get a nice adrenaline rush from spending money without a credit card. Nothing quite like avoiding those pesky interest fees!
Pros and Cons of Cash Stuffing
For the right person, cash stuffing can offer a bounty of perks:
- Save a ton of money. Whether it’s $10 or $100, you can set aside cash every time you get your paycheck.
- It’s fun! Saving money can be tricky, and spreadsheets are daunting and boring for many people. Stuffing your literal savings account (an envelope, jar, or bottle, for example) with cash is exhilarating and rewarding all at once.
- Track your savings with ease. Stashing cash in envelopes makes it a breeze to see how much money you’ve saved. Because the envelope isn’t connected to a bank account or credit card, there are no hidden fees to worry about.
- Stay organized. Cash stuffing can keep your finances organized by having one place for all your money that doesn’t go anywhere else. Your savings will grow quickly when you combine other thrifty tactics like coupon clipping and using your student discounts.
While cash stuffing is a cool concept, there are some drawbacks to it:
- It could be more secure. You could lose your money, or it could get stolen.
- You can’t earn interest over time. If you want to get free money over time from keeping your savings fund in a bank account, then cash stuffing might not be the right approach.
- The world is largely digital these days. Most transactions are conducted digitally rather than in paper bills and coins. Numerous students prefer using budgeting apps like Mint because they don’t have to carry around as much cash.
Cash Stuffing on TikTok: Should I Do It?
Cash stuffing isn’t for everyone. But if you have a tendency to spend money that isn’t yours on a credit card, then it may be worth giving cash stuffing on TikTok a try. It could curb the temptation to spend recklessly and put you on the path to financial freedom. Establishing healthy money habits in college puts you in a good position to invest in a home, car, and other major purchases later.
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Avoid Debt By Cash Stuffing in College
Looking for an entertaining way to reduce credit card spending and save money in college? Try cash stuffing for a few months and see where it takes you. It’s an interesting method of tracking your money habits and spending responsibly. Trust us—this skill comes in handy throughout life beyond graduation!
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