April: Money Moves

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Paying for college on your own? Want a little extra money during the school year to buy pizza with friends? Want to start saving for post-graduation? Have a paid internship and extra income that will be coming in?

Whatever it may be, adopting these few key money moves can help you take charge (no pun intended) of your finances this summer:

Set a budget-
- think of this as goal setting for money. What are your financial goals? Start by tracking your income and expenses and clearly understanding where your money is going. Be specific but realistic about how much you plan to spend. Are there areas where you can cut back on?
Plan for expenses-
- identify any major expenses you may encounter in the near future. Paying for books? Next semester? Car payment? Car maintenance? Utility bills? Laundry? Savings goal? Write them down with how much is expected to be, enabling you to process it in another way.
Look for free or low-cost activities-
- “The best things in life are free. The second best are very expensive.” - Coco Chanel If you are looking for activities in Huntsville, they have a calendar of events; you can toggle it to show only the free ones under categories. If you are at home, try Googling your town and free events or look into surrounding towns. Many communities offer free concerts, festivals, or outdoor activities. Explore local parks and museums with discounted admission days, or organize game nights with friends. By being resourceful, you can have a great time without breaking the bank.
Cook at home-
- Julia Child has two great quotes to inspire cooking: “No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing.” And, “Cooking well doesn’t mean cooking fancy.” Whether you live on campus or in a house, you can access a kitchen. Consider planning your meals, making a grocery list, and sticking to it. Often, a meal you make can last more than one meal too. You may even find it to be a good stress reliever!
Seasonal job-
- Waiting another summer to take on an internship or just looking for extra income? Many industries experience increased demands during different seasons, and Summer is no exception. A seasonal job is when a company hires temporary workers for these periods. Depending on your career goals, you might be able to land a job doing something that can give you transferable skills and networking opportunities. Explore retail, hospitality, event planning, or outdoor recreation options, depending on your interests and skills. Click here for Top 20 Seasonal Jobs of 2021 | How to find the best paid ones and succeed?

Mastering money moves as a college student is about making conscious choices to improve your financial well-being.

<aside> 📢 Looking to up your academic game and start taking more strategic moves? Set up an appointment with an Academic Success Advocate today.

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