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As a student you’re busy juggling coursework, internships, family, employment, a social life, etc. But if we’re being completely honest with ourselves, we all have time to budget. The true issue is we don’t have the willpower to budget, we have our priorities misaligned, or we don’t want to face something that’s complicated or scary to us. The good news is there’s plenty of free and simple tools available to help us budget and keep all of our financial information in one place! Whether we’re saving for retirement, a laptop, or just trying to get through the month, everything starts with budgeting. It’s time we make managing our money a priority.

Think of all the times you’ve splurged on new shoes, bought coffee on-the-go, or paid a late fee. You can save as long as you make it a priority. We often think we have to set aside large amounts of money to save, but that’s not at all true. Even setting aside something as small as $5 each week for a year will leave you with $260! Saving money can become equally addictive as spending money once you start watching that balance grow. It’s common practice for people to save what money they have leftover at the end of each month (which sometimes is nothing if they impulse purchase things). Instead, what if you set aside a set amount of funds at the beginning of the month before you spend it? Make saving a #1 priority!

Perhaps try a new motto like, “my family has always been bad with money, but I refuse to let that happen to me.” Behaviors tend to change once your perspective changes. We recognize that most students were not taught money management growing up, so this is why we offer the services we do! Check out the Balancing on a Budget program schedule here!

Shopping is a way for many people to cope with boredom, depression, and other difficulties. It’s important to recognize that while shopping can temporarily make you feel better, it’s a band-aid covering up a deeper issue. Impulse buying can even cause you to experience guilt or any of the previously mentioned emotions more if your purchase causes you to struggle financially. One helpful tactic is to replace your shopping habit with something else that makes you feel good but doesn’t require you to spend money. Maybe read a book, exercise, or watch a movie. It’s certainly acceptable to treat yourself every once in a while, but it should not be a regular and uncontrolled habit.

• Are you wanting to learn more about the financial wellness programs we offer?
• Do you need individualized assistance with your finances and budgeting?

• Do you think your student group, employees or classroom would benefit from a workshop led by someone in our office about financial wellness?
• Are you wanting to discuss financial wellness with students but don’t feel you have the resources or skills to do so?
• Are you concerned about a student’s ability to manage their finances and affording monthly expenses?