Develop a Savings Plan

Taking charge of your finances should involve regular contributions to a savings plan. As a college student, you may feel you are merely trying to get by one semester at a time; however, even small contributions made on a regular basis may work to your benefit. And the younger you start, the better off you will be - in terms of the smart habits you establish and the amount of money you may earn as a result.

Make it happen by paying yourself first. When you receive your paycheck or other money, deposit or electronically transfer a portion of the funds into your savings account. Ask your employer to directly deposit some of your earnings into your savings account. Save loose change in a jar and set a goal for how much you want to collect. At the end of each month, deposit your collections into your savings account.

Watch your savings grow. Even very small sums of money add up...over time...with interest. The interest that you earn today is added to your savings total, further increasing the amount of interest you earn in the future.

Get a jump start on fall tuition by landing a summer or paid internship. Make arrangements to have some of your paycheck deposited into a back-to-school savings account. By completing this simple task, you may dispel the need to take out additional loans. Additionally, having a part-time job or internship while in school can mean a higher starting salary upon graduation.