When you’re studying in college and away from home, it can be tough to balance your bank account, and it sometimes can become or feel overwhelming. However, if you’re not that careful enough, you can lose control over your finances very fast. To manage your money while in college will require you to have some skills, and here are some tips that can help you manage your finances. If you feel confident in your skills you can even try to earn extra cash by taking some writing jobs.
Create a budget with everything included
Most people fail to realize how much they spend weekly or monthly. The only thing they do is adapt all the big purchases and forget about the smaller amounts. However, if you track your expenses for about a month, you’ll have the sheer shock of how much the smaller purchases can result. The same thing tends to happen in college, such that if you fail to keep track of all your expenses and income, you could be suffering. You, therefore, need to create yourself a budget to help you stay out of your debts, but it will also give you a better insight into how you spend your money. First, you need to make a list of your associates of income, including savings and allowances, then go ahead to create a list of the estimated expenses for the whole of the month.
Control their spending habits
If you are an impulse shopper, you have to change how you spend your money and learn to restrain. Begin by learning to distinguish your wants and needs. You don’t need things that you don’t need. Even if buying that particular thing will not in your budget, don’t buy it if you don’t need it. Then, you can repay the loan that you took with that money instead.
Set up your checking account
Many banks tend to offer students some free savings and checking account facilities to help students save a lot on find transfer and withdrawal fees. You can check out some of the banks that offer that type of facility to students and go-ahead to set up one of yours with a close bank to the college campus.
Get savvy about credit cards.
Walking around with a credit card is more convenient than carrying cash. However, it sometimes encourages impulse buying, and you could result in a considerable amount of debt before you know it. When you are in college, it is the best time to start building credit, making it easier for you to buy a vehicle after graduating. To do so, you need to be responsible and learn how to be a good user.
Buy used textbooks to save money.
Brand new textbooks cost way too much because Sam can go over $300.00 for one piece. You can save quite a lot of money if you buy used checkbooks from students who have already finished their course, and you can find yourself spending so much less. You can also find certain websites online that can sell you textbooks that might less than their new price. You can also opt for E-books which are a cheaper alternative. You can also make money by selling old books instead of throwing them.
