Being responsible with money has no price tag. I’m happy my parents taught me the value of dedication, hard work and commitment. Although I haven’t exactly been as successful as I’d like with finding work, I’m still hustling. Do I need the money? Well, no and yes. My parents can’t afford to pay for all of my things but if they wanted to, then they could help me out more. Having said that, they set financial limits to teach me patience & responsibility instead of leaving me prone to entitlement, hence, why they wouldn’t just spend the money so I could go away to college, go Greek, etc. (even if they could). Throughout this, I’ve learned some tips about managing money that could help navigate financial circumstances, whatever they may be.

1. Make a budget.

Actually track how much you’re earning and how much you’re spending (per week/month/year, makes no difference). Organize your expenses into categories based on variability and need. For me, that leaves four categories: essential-unfixed, essential-fixed, nonessential-unfixed & nonessential-fixed.

2. Be totally honest about nonessential expenses.

An example for myself; sure, I’d love to have a McLaren but, that would cost me too much money and I already have a car so it’s not like I need one.

Okay, easy enough. But a couple of lifestyle changes that may help; do you really need to upgrade your phone whenever the next generation comes? Even when you do need a new phone, can you live without the newest one? If you can’t afford to go on a $1000 vacation this spring, then why do it?

3. Pay your bills on time, especially anything credit-related.

Do you want to pay extra interest / late fees? Or would you rather use that money on something nice? This is one area so many people unnecessarily waste money on. If you can’t be disciplined to only spend money you have, then you might need to rethink having credit cards, overdrafts or other temptations.

4. Eat at home.

There’s no place like home, right? It’s fun to eat out with friends and even I do so once in a while. But do it often and it can get expensive real quick (and maybe even unhealthy too). Similar to my next tip …

5. Cheap Thrills.

Just like my friend Sia, I can have fun on the cheap side. As Hofstra is right next door to a bar, the temptation is there. Like my prior tip, I’ll go there every now and then but that’s it. I have plenty better uses for $100 (after ten nights) than nightly admission.

6. BE RESOURCEFUL.

Ever heard the adage to worry only about factors that you can control? Well, I’ve been guilty myself of focusing on what I can’t do and had to learn to be open-minded about what I could do despite my circumstances.

Some ideas: perhaps walk/bike or take buses/trains instead of driving (when possible). Got a few hours each week to spare? Places are hiring all around. Any old gadgets lying around could be sold for cash.

I’m not suggesting you have to be miserable. Rather, just make do with what you have. Even when your financial logistics are perfectly fine, managing money well is still good because you never know what life may bring. I’d love to hear your feedback after trying any of these pointers.