by Allie Foust
Understanding finances can be difficult for a beginning college student. Many try not to get involved with the process, causing them to make simple mistakes that can cause problems later in their academic career. Getting involved in your finances early on and learning how to budget in a way that works for you can not only be beneficial for student life but also for life after college.
The first thing one needs to do when it comes to picking a college is to obviously pick the college that works best. If it is in state, you have the option of deciding whether you want to be a commuter or a dorm student. You can decide which would be better for you financially by talking to the school’s financial aid department. They are there to help, so don’t be nervous to ask them all your questions! When you talk to your financial advisor, you can decide what works for you and your family. This especially pertains to finding out if student loans need to be taken into account.
To help pay for tuition, loans, or even just a quick food run with your friends, you can always pick up a small part-time job. One of the best options for this can be found right on your campus. Try to reach out to your professors and office workers to see if there is anything you can do on campus to earn some extra cash. Campus jobs can be beneficial when it comes to working sound your class schedule. However, this does not mean that off-campus jobs are unattainable. Most colleges are located near busy towns and cities that always have places looking for college students to work. Some of the best on-campus jobs at Welch are in the enrollment office, the cafeteria, or the library. There are also lots of off-campus jobs located in Hendersonville and Gallatin, including daycare centers, the Shops at Indian lake, and even at your local church!
Another tip to keep you on track to be more financially stable is that whenever you are hanging out with friends, opt for more affordable places to eat. Some great recommendations that are located near Welch are Taco Bell, Panda Express, and, one of my personal favorites, Casa Vieja. This also applies to cool and affordable hangout spots. There are a multitude of coffee shops that are perfect for catching up with friends and helping out your wallet. Skip Starbucks and try out Black Press or Stompin’ Grounds.
The last tip to help with financial woes is to try to write out a budget to make sure you don’t get behind on bills. Overspending on things can really drain your bank account. So, it’s important to try to budget what you can. It’s also important not to stress out about this! You are learning a new life skill, and it’s okay to make mistakes! It’s also important to realize that what might work for someone else might not work for you. You have to find your special way of handling money.
One way of finding your financial groove is to find a good budgeting app. I would highly recommend Evernote. It is free and very simple to use. It also offers many different features so you can stylize your lists as needed. You can even keep track of your to-do lists. Another app that is more aimed toward financial organization is the EveryDollar app . It keeps all of your bills and adds up how much you need to save each month. It will also remind you when your bills are due each month. There are loads of different options out there to help you become more organized. Try something different out each month until you find your perfect match!