Money Smarts
Managing your money isn’t easy, and it is even tougher if you are managing college and money. But don’t despair: Even small savings can add up quickly. Some tips:
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Time is money. The quicker you finish your degree, the sooner you are finished with tuition costs and, hopefully, start seeing the payoffs in your paycheck.
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Search for scholarships. Register at fastweb.com, which allows you to search from among 1.5 million scholarships, including many just for adults. Some amounts are small, but even $100 can help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
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Share expenses. Find a friend to swap babysitting hours with you so you can study. Carpool with a classmate.
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Bring your own. Avoid paying higher prices for food and drinks. Pack a lunch or dinner and bring your own, refillable water bottle.
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Become an expert. Like learning to read, learning to manage money is a lifelong skill. Many colleges and universities offer financial literacy classes. You can also consult practicalmoneyskills.com, a website with easy-to-understand videos explaining the basics about credit cards, buying a car, debt, saving and health care.
