Okay, let’s just state the obvious: College is expensive and none of us are sure how the heck we’re going to be able to afford it. Trust me, I hear you loud and clear. I am in the same boat. That’s one of the main reasons why I have always tried to keep my spending under a tight budget. Fortunately, that also means I have picked up a few handy tricks along the way for saving some extra cash. So, if you need some help keeping your wallet full, I hope this advice is useful!

1. Don't go out to eat

It’s nice not to have to worry about cooking for yourself or making sure there’s enough groceries in the kitchen. Unfortunately, the cost of sitting down at a restaurant or ordering take-out every night adds up quickly. Going out to eat should be a treat o a special occasion, not something you do on a daily basis. Plus, when you limit the amount of times you go out to eat, you will have more time learning how to prepare different foods. Cooking is a great skill to have under your belt and you may have fun doing it!

2. Shop in the sale sections

I have no shame in admitting that I am a shopaholic. I cannot resist a trip to the mall, even when I know I don’t need (and really shouldn’t) buy anything. But when I do wind up scanning racks and racks of clothes, I make sure to hit the clearance section first. You can score some amazing deals at your favorite shops. Just don’t get distracted by whatever is displayed in the window!

3. Find things to do for free

Sometimes it feels like everything fun to do costs money, but that isn’t true in the slightest! There are plenty of fun activities you can do without spending a dime, you just have to look for them. Go on a hike, find a free outdoor show, read a book, throw a pool party or host a movie night! You can be as creative as you want. The possibilities are endless!

4. Create a budget for yourself

Saving money can be a struggle, which is why sometimes you will have no choice but to drop a little bit of cash now and then. To avoid going overboard, create a budget for yourself so you can still spend a little money without going bankrupt. For example, if you make $100 a week, save $80 of it and spend $20 of it. That way you have a little spending money without blowing your whole paycheck. A budget will also help remind you why you are saving it, whether it is for a new pair of jeans, textbooks for next semester or a European getaway.