130 likes | 317 Views
25 Money Management Tips Every College Student Should Know. Financial Wellness tips from HCC’s Student Support Services. Take Charge of Your Life and Your Money. #1- Create a budget and stick to it Know how much your monthly income is and your mandatory bills #2- Get organized
E N D
25 Money Management Tips Every College Student Should Know Financial Wellness tips from HCC’s Student Support Services
Take Charge of Your Life and Your Money #1- Create a budget and stick to it • Know how much your monthly income is and your mandatory bills #2- Get organized • Save important documents, review your accounts online #3- Protect your personal information • Make sure to shred all documents with personal information like your SSN
Banking #4- Find the best deal for your checking account • Look for free checking and no minimum balance • Find an institution that will match savings deposits #5- Don’t bounce checks • These can hurt your credit history • Before paying bills or making purchases, check to make sure you have the funds for it
Saving #6- Learn about savings and investment options • Money market accounts, CDs, bonds, and mutual funds #7- Get into the habit of saving • Learn to set aside an amount every month into your savings to earn interest
Financial Aid and Loans #8- Keep looking for financial aid • Just because you didn’t qualify your first year, doesn’t mean you won’t ever qualify. • Submit your FAFSA each year! You can update your FAFSA if your financial situation changes during the year #9- Use loans as a last resort • If you do need to take out a loan, make sure it is subsidized (you start paying interest after you graduate)
Increase Your Income! #10- Look for an on-campus job • Flexible hours, great staff, and convenient location! #11- Take time now to prepare for your career • Find internships, prepare your resume #12- Turn a hobby or a skill into a money-making endeavor • Baby-sit, design your own clothes, fix computers, photograph a friend’s wedding or special event, or tutor!
Cutting Expenses #13- Use campus computers instead • If you can do without a laptop, there are lots of computers to use on campus– for FREE! #14- Take advantage of discounts • No need to pay $11 for a movie when you can get one from Red Box for $1 #15- Plug everyday spending leaks • If shopping is your thing, check out thrift stores! • Cut back on the number of songs you download and stream music for free with programs like Pandora
Apartment Issues #16- Set ground rules regarding money • Talk with your apartment/house-mates about how you will split utilities or food #17- Pay the rent on time • You will avoid late fees and earn points with the landlord! #18- Save on snacks • Bring your own food to school and avoid vending machines
Needs and Wants #19- Separate needs from wants • When it comes down to it, paying for school and mandatory bills (like rent) should be priority #1 #20- Ditch the car • Parking on campus is expensive, not to mention the other costs of a car. Opt for cheap public transit instead! #21- Resist peer pressure • You really don’t need the latest gadgets • If a friend wants an expensive night out, suggest a fun, cheap night in!
Manage Your Money #22- Keep track of your money • Whether you balance a checkbook or review your accounts online, make sure you know how much money you have #23- Avoid credit card schemes • Students really only need 1 credit card. • Pay balances on time and as much of the whole amount as possible; that will boost your credit score #24- Re-think credit cards • Think of your credit card as a loan. “Would I really go to the bank and take out a loan for this?” • Don’t use cash advances unless for a SERIOUS emergency
“HELP!” #25- Get help if you get into debt trouble • Financial Aid Office may be able to answer your questions (depending on the issue) • Financial Advisors (ex: Edward Jones) • Debt Counselors (ex: Debt Counselors of America)
GET CREDIT FOR COMPLETING THIS WORKSHOP • CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THIS WORKSHOP