Sushi Money

     While reading the Sunday Paper today I found a few good ideas for manging money in college.  One article highlighted ways for saving money while emphasizing that many college-bound students (and parents) underestimate the spending  money necessary while attending college.  Rather than be surprised by these expenses, why not take a proactive approach and plan ahead?  Here are a few other money management tips to consider:

• Consider a “semester budget” and make a list of anticipated monthly expenses.  Try to estimate the expenses you’ll need, both fixed expenses like monthly utilities or residence hall costs, cell-phone bills, and discretionary expenses for items such as food, recreation and transportation.  You may not get it right the first month or two, but having a place to start is far better than simply spending money as you go along.   If you do it right and foster a disciplined approach, you’ll have money when you need it later for things you didn’t anticipate.
• Avoid spending money just because your friends are.  There are going to be tons of situations where you have the choice to spend money… or not.  Keep that in mind- it’s your choice.  You don’t need to spend money in many situations, but you may find you want to.  The choices we make in many present situations limit the choices we have at later times.  Try to anticipate how you will spend your money so you have more choices for things you really want to do later on.
• Keep track of spending.  Try to check and monitor your spending regularly, whether you do on-line banking, or have a pre-set spending limit on a debit card.  If you find yourself running out of money frequently, take a look back to see where your spending habits are taking place.  If you have a computer… try using Quicken or Microsoft Money.  It can help you form a picture of your spending, and provide a framework for your accounts that makes managing your money much simpler.
• Choose the free or low-cost option for recreation and entertainment.  There are many opportunities for entertainment, recreation and keeping busy on college campuses.  Everything from top-notch fitness facilities to a symphony performance or a play can be found on campus.  Join a club or other student organization that interests you.  So often we can be overwhelmed by everything going on that we just hang out in our ”own space” without really getting involved.  But getting involved is an integral aspect of the university experience… as long as you don’t forget why you’re there in the first place!
• Try to moderate the cell-phone use if you’re not on an “unlimited plan.”  Minutes can really sneak up on you, so try to use e-mail or IM for keeping in touch with friends.  Remember that calling home later at night is much cheaper, or even free depending on your cell phone plan.  If you don’t have a plan, consider a pre-paid service like Tracphone.
• Try not to eat out so often.  That’s a biggie for watching the money leave your pocket in a hurry.  If you’ve already paid for the food on a campus meal plan, try to use it for most of your meals.  
• Minimize credit card use.  Another biggie… if you have a credit card, the bill can be run up in a hurry to a point where keeping up with payments may become unmanageable.  If you don’t have a credit card, you’re going to be inundated with opportunities to get one.  Remember that you are building your credit rating. It may not seem like a big deal right now, but a few years down the road you may need a good credit rating to get that car you really want, or even the job you’ve applied for.  Many employers are now routinely screening credit records of potential employees… what we do in college can follow us for years if we’re not careful.
• Consider a part-time job to help with expenses and generate spending money.  Better yet, to generate savings!  There are many part-time job opportunities, and every college or university has a career or employment office to help you find one.  Sometimes, a part-time job can be the best balance to completing your studies and offer rewarding opportunities for professional growth and development.  You’ll meet people, learn more about the work force and gain valuable experience by getting that part-time job, and increase your bank account as well!

  There are a lot more strategies to save money while in college of course.  How do you manage it?  For too many students, just paying for college is the real challenge, and student loans are a must.  But try to keep the goal in mind… namely to complete your education and begin your career.  Money is a tool… use it wisely and it will work for you.  Peace of mind financially can make studying a lot easier along the way.  There will be many times when you can’t stand a professor or a living situation you find yourself dealing with.  But try to pace yourself… I had a professor once who gave me some great advice.  He said to remember that no matter where we are in life, we’re only there for a short while… in a few years we’ll be somwhere else doing something far different.  Try not to get too wrapped up in the present by making decisions you’ll later regret.  Just do your best, keep the big picture in mind and everything will fall into place along the way.

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