Last semester, someone asked me how I was able to save money while in college and still find time to enjoy the moment. Some people believe that it is nearly impossible to steadily increase a bank account and attend college classes. However, I disagree. 

First, I will say this, if you need to take out loans to complete college, do it. Yes, you may be paying back that debt for your entire life. But if you get a degree, find the job you’re passionate about and steadily pay back the debt over time to meet your future goals, then it is worth it. It will become just another annoying bill like insurance, electricity or cable. If you take out more than you need, put the extra in savings rather than abundantly spending it. 

Also, money is always tight for me. I’m a college student that lives on my own and am paying my way through college. But, I do like going out for a glass of wine with friends at times. When I have the time, I do want to go see the latest movie. As long as I am making more than I am spending, my bank account will continue to steadily increase. 

Yes, the surprise bill will come up, electricity will be higher than expected, a tire will get blown, my best friend may need to borrow fifty bucks so they can meet a deadline and not fall off the deep-end. These moments will come, but it is still possible to put money in the bank. 

If you rely on cash tips like I do, spend what you need in a week and put the rest in the bank. Start over from scratch each week. Start over on the day when you know you can work and won’t need to spend money. Five bucks may seem like nothing, but it is five bucks and if you put in fifty the next week, it will increase much faster than you would think. 

This may seem impossible. Trust me, I had times when I blew more than one tire at once, had a fee deadline for school and needed to buy a particular book for a class, had all my bills come at once and needed to take off of work for an emergency. It seemed impossible to stretch my money. I have no idea how I did it, but I made it through and I was able to once again build up my bank account. 

At the end of the day, it is up to you. I want to travel the world one day. It is a passion of mine and because of that, I have stopped buying comics, I don’t go to the movies, I don’t buy DVDs and I save what I can. It may not be enough due to natural disasters or emergencies that come up, but I believe it is possible for a college student to save money for the future even if it means living like the “stereotypical” college student with learning how to cook ramen on a coffee maker in the dorms and going to the food pantry when you honestly and truly need to.