Post-graduation life has been a massive transition. Living on campus for three years, I had a meal plan and could use my own money for other things. Meaning a majority of my money was spent on food because there is only so much cafeteria food you can consume and be healthy.

After moving into my first apartment, not much changed with my spending habits. I never really noticed it until I decided to create a budget. When I looked at past transactions I noticed that the amount of money I spent on food, could have paid for a Canon 5D Mark II plus some added camera accessories.

With a rough estimate of how much money I could save, I knew it was time to make some changes. Nothing drastic just a few practical changes.

Here are five simple ways to save money.

But First, COFFEE

As a Starbucks gold member, I understand the daily need for caffeine. It can be a make or break for the day ahead. No, you don't have to give up coffee. My suggestion is to get free coffee from the office or school. If that isn't an option invest in a coffee maker and become your own barista. Lifehack for ice coffee at home. Freeze your milk or creamer into ice cubes and add a few to your freshly brewed coffee.

Slowly Takeout Take-Out

As an aspiring lifestyle photographer, I constantly feel the obligation to eat at trendy places. For instance, I spent $12 on a matcha smoothie bowl. That is ridiculous for something that isn’t going to fill me up or provide any leftovers in my opinion, but it made for a great picture. Something that I’ve started doing is creating my favorite dishes at home.

Secret Savings

A majority of companies utilize direct deposits. A small way to ensure you are saving money is by having a percentage of that check sent to your savings accounts.

Every Penny Counts

Make the phrase "keep the change" a thing of the past. Instead, collect your loose change in a jar and at the end of the year cash it in.

From Hobby to Side Hustle

We all have something we excel at whether it’s photography or playing with puppies, so why not turn that into extra money. The Tampa Bay area is full of opportunities for people looking to turn their passions into additional revenue, you just have look for it. Social media and various job search engines are a great place to start.

Whether you're saving for a new camera or planning a road trip with friends. These small changes can help you invest in something memorable in the future.