A student from Romania explained, on Reddit, how she managed to manage with little money during college. The post, published on the r/roFrugal community, gathered hundreds of reactions and dozens of comments, precisely because its advice is simple and immediately applicable.
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Frugality, the concept around which his advice revolves, involves a frugal way of life, based on the careful management of resources and the avoidance of waste.
One of the most important habits he mentions is choosing where to shop. According to her, wholesale stores can make a significant difference in the budget.
“Even if I'm further away, it's worth going once a month or every two months. The price difference is very big. With 100 lei, I stocked up on pasta, rice, canned goods and other products for the whole month.” explains the student.
Another essential aspect, in his opinion, is meal planning. Instead of cooking or ordering food every day, she sets aside a few hours a week to prepare several meals at once.
“After classes you don't feel like sitting in the kitchen anymore, especially when it's crowded. I cook in larger quantities and portion my food for several days. Soups or sauces can also be kept in the freezer for longer,” she says.
Regarding money management, the student recommends dividing the income into clear categories, immediately after receipt.
“If your salary comes in and you don't share it from the first, in a week you have nothing left. With an income of 2,700 lei, of which 1,200 goes to rent and other fixed expenses, you have 1,500 lei left. From these, you make a clear budget: 300 lei for transport, 500 for food, 100 for hygiene. Every lei counts. You can share your money and for weeks, so that you don't end up drawing the last 100 lei until the middle of the month”, clear this up.
Another helpful tip is to look around for resources before making a purchase.
“Don't be in a rush to buy everything you need. Every time I needed something for a project or a presentation, I first asked around to see if anyone had it and didn't use it. I'm in the arts and I know how expensive materials can be. I haven't bought a vacuum either – I've asked the dorm group and we share it.” continues the student, who also recommends platforms like OLX or Vinted for shopping at more affordable prices.
Online groups are also an important source of savings, he said. As well as groups where people give away unwanted items for free, there are also groups dedicated to student jobs, where there are frequent ads for work for a day or a few hours – from handing out flyers and helping out at events to simple tasks that pay quickly.
“You can find jobs for a day or a few hours that pay decently and help you cover your expenses”she explains.
The post also generated numerous comments from other users, which added to the list of recommendations. One of them emphasizes the importance of financial discipline: “A logical and healthy mentality. Many prefer not to do such calculations and end up spending without a plan, and then complain that they have no money.”
Others point out that lack of money can become a learning factor. “Necessity is the best teacher. That's how I learned to cook and manage my expenses in college.” writes another user, who adds that savings can also be made through simple solutions, such as decorating the house with reused objects or shopping during discount periods.
What research says about the financial behavior of young people
A study published in 2025 in the journal Societies, which analyzed 364 scientific articles on the financial behavior of young people between the ages of 18 and 29, shows that young people's financial habits are shaped by three important elements: how much they know about money, what examples and influences they have around them, and how they psychologically react to stress, impulse and risk.
Simply knowing some notions about money is not enough. Equally important is how confident a young person is that they can manage their spending, what patterns they see in their family, what influences they pick up from their circle of friends or online, and how well they can control their impulse to spend.
The study points out that parents still have an important role in shaping young people's financial habits, but they are no longer the only influence. As they become independent, other milestones appear – friends, partners, school or the online environment. In this context, the researchers draw attention to the fact that young people are exposed to an unstable financial environment, in which there are constant consumption pressures, “buy now, pay later” schemes, quick access to credit and the risk of accumulating debt.
The conclusion of the study is that healthy financial behavior does not only depend on income, but also on discipline, education, the examples around and the ability to make prudent decisions. In other words, habits like budgeting, cooking at home, or avoiding impulse buys aren't just temporary fixes, but ways you can keep your spending under control for the long term.
