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WHAT’S THE SECRET TO SAVING MONEY AS A COLLEGE STUDENT? PUTTING AWAY A LITTLE AT A TIME. IT MIGHT NOT SEEM LIKE MUCH NOW, BUT IT CAN ADD UP—IF YOU’RE COMMITTED.

Pay yourself first. Treat savings like a bill, listing it as a fixed expense in your spending plan. If you’ve already allocated the money to savings, you’ll be less likely to spend it.

Make it automatic. Set up an automatic withdrawal from your checking account to a savings account each month—that way you don’t even see it it.

Save all of a certain type of income, such as your tax refund, tip money or proceeds from selling back your books.

Establish savings goals:
• Save for things you want, such as a new computer.
• Save for things you know are coming, such as holiday shopping—it happens every year—or a lost or broken phone (it’s only a matter of time).
Create an emergency fund. What will you do if your car breaks down, you lose your job or you have to spend the night in the ER? Crises happen, and they can be a lot less stressful if you have some extra padding.
• Start with a goal of $500 (then build it up to cover one to two months of expenses).
• Keep it separate from other savings.
• Use it only for emergencies, and replenish it after you get back on your feet.
FINAL WORD: Part of having a savings plan is to know where to save. If you want to save your money while also keeping it accessible, consider a savings account or money market account.