Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SaveWithHopster #CollectiveBias

Shopping when you are in college is a necessity, but it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. Today on the blog I am going to share my best tips for saving money while you are shopping in college whether you are shopping for groceries, beauty products, or anything in between. I am so excited to partner with Hopster Mobile Rebates to give you these tips, but more about this awesome, free app later.

1. Create A Shopping List

It's SO easy to go in the store, see everything, and want it all. If you want to save money, you need to stick to a strict shopping list. I usually create my lists in my phone, or sometimes I create fun shopping lists on paper if I am really ahead of the game on creating my shopping list.

When I am creating my shopping list I like to look at the Hopster app for deals as I am creating the list. Often there is a rebate for some money off a product I was already planning on buying like cereal or fruit so it's a win-win for me.

When creating your list you also want to do your best to think about placement of the aisles if you can. Some stores may even have their aisle layout online. This helps so you aren't aimlessly wandering all the aisles when you get in the store. Having your list meticulously planned in order of the aisles may work as well, if you are a super planner.

2. Never Shop Hungry

If you are going to the store to get groceries, always go on a somewhat full stomach. You don't want your stomach to be so full that you are groggy, but you don't want to be starving either. If you purchase food like that, you may end up purchasing things you never thought you would purchase. So fix something simple before you leave the house to go shopping like a sandwich or something like that.

When you shop hungry you end up picking up a bunch of stuff you really don't need, random deli food you can eat right away, and other items. So, eat before you go.

3. Comparison Shop Your Heart Out

I am ALL about comparison shopping, y'all.

One of the things I love about the Hopster app is that it doesn't really matter where you purchase many of the rebates. You can choose the store that is most convenient for you in their Available Everywhere section and get the same great deals.

This allows you to find the best deals and comparison shop across many different sites for the best deals and then you can get your Hopster rebate on top of that. Cha-ching!

4. Learn About The Power Of The Wishlist

It's so easy to be in the “I want it all and I want it now!” mentality, but that's not okay. It won't get you anywhere in the end, and you will end up spending way too much money. Instead, create wishlists on all your favorite sites.

You can create wishlists on most sites, and just stockpile items that you love a lot. Then you can periodically check your wishlist to purchase things as it makes more sense. Taking some time between seeing an item and purchasing it will also help you understand if you really love an item or just like the way it looks on the site for a while.

Before you make any big purchases, give yourself some time. Many sites try to create a sense of urgency with sales and such, but sometimes you have to spend some time away from a piece of clothing before you decide to get that item.

5. Get The Free Hopster App

I know that we have chatted about this app for a bit today, but I wanted to show you just how easy it is to use this app.

Hopster is SO simple. When you want to use the app, all you have to do is:

1. Choose your rebates from a large selection of brands
2. Shop at your favorite store (any store will do!)
3. Take a picture of your receipt showing the items you purchased (I recommend doing this part on a desk or table because it's makes the process sturdier.)
4. Rebates will be redeemed and the cash credited to your PayPal account as soon as the redemption is validated.

You will need to share the entire receipt and it doesn't matter if you have other items on your list. Although, to speed up this process if you have a ton on your receipt they encourage you to to circle exactly what you purchased rebate wise.

The Hopster app includes so many different awesome rebates such as:

• Save $0.25 on any one (1) bread purchase
• Save $0.25 on any one (1) meat purchase
• Save $0.25 on any one (1) milk purchase
• Save $0.25 on any fresh bananas (my personal fruit of choice for college students!)
• Save $0.50 when you by one (1) Post Honey Bunches Of Oats cereal (my personal favorite!)
• Save $1.00 on one (1) Boomerang's All Natural Pies
• & so many more.

These are just a couple of the rebates that I thought you may like more.

One thing that I love about Hopster is that you don't have to wait to get your awesome rebate. As soon as your receipt is accepted, you get your cashback delivered straight into your Paypal account. No set fee that you have to obtain to get your money back, #yes!

Conclusion

Hopster is such a fun and unique app that helps college students save money right now. You can go grocery shopping or general shopping and get your rebate back from your shopping trip within days. I highly encourage you to download the FREE Hopster app and start saving today.