The financially carefree days of college students are quickly disappearing in the rearview mirror. Wide-reaching surveys indicate upwards of 70 percent of college students experience stress about money before graduation. It almost goes without saying that this newest generation may not be overly welcoming to “advice” from their parents or grandparents. After all, those are the people who suffered massive student loan debt, a subprime mortgage crisis, and the Great Recession.
But, as the saying goes, sometimes experience is the best teacher. If that’s true, people over 40 know a metric ton about how to avoid financial mistakes. That’s why college students may want to consider tips from those of us who learned hard lessons rather than repeat the cycle.
Spending your college years worrying about money runs contrary to the idea of the experience. You learn exciting new things, make friendships that last a lifetime, and graduate with a degree that opens vast opportunities. College students are at a critical juncture where the future is seemingly limitless. The fact that financial stress grows as you get closer to wearing a cap and gown is reason enough to take proactive measures.
Although a pleasant experience is important, making the right financial decisions while in school impacts your financial future. Keep these simple recommendations in mind or share them with a friend or family member to ensure that their college student manages money and builds their credit before graduating, helping to put them ahead of the class.
Colleges and universities typically invest in student activities designed to entertain and help people bond. These complimentary on-campus amenities help college students save money and enjoy a fulfilling educational experience. Rather than drop $30 going out to the movies and another $20 getting a decent entrée, consider gathering friends and taking advantage of these options. Truth be told, the cost was already rolled into your tuition.
Well-meaning administrators try to create convenient options for college students to use on campus. Branded with the institution’s name, savings, checking, and credit card accounts appear enticing at first glance. As a student body member, young adults feel confident they will get approved without involving their parents.
But rarely — if ever — can an organization focused on education provide the lowest possible interest rates and benefits as a local credit union. In all likelihood, the accounts will be part of a corporation’s portfolio designed to collect higher-than-necessary interest and fees from college students.
Be sure to check with your local credit union before heading off to school or by visiting them online to review any potential young adult checking accounts or college student credit cards that are geared towards a college student's best interest.
Perhaps the best solution to not repeat your elders’ financial faux pas is to conduct due diligence and open a more suitable checking account designed specifically for teens and college students. Corporate banks charge excessive fees because they need to turn profits to pay stockholders. By contrast, credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives that ensure their members get the right product to fit their needs, not to meet sales goals. College students generally pay lower fees and can enjoy low, or sometimes even no minimum balance requirements when opening a reliable checking account at a local credit union.
If you're straight out of high school and a company is willing to hand you a pre-approved credit card, expect to pay exceedingly high interest and hidden fees. To get approved for a low-interest card, you need to build up a reasonably high FICO score or have a parent co-sign.
If you want a student credit card with reasonable rates and some form of rewards, work with a local credit union before enrolling. Make small purchases and pay your bill off in full every month. Establishing credit while in school will help you have a robust score when you're ready to graduate. Having a degree in one hand and an established credit score in the other puts you on the fast track to financial success.
Setting aside an hour each month to review bank accounts and other statements helps college students in two ways. First, it puts your mind at ease because if there’s a fraudulent charge, you can take steps to have it corrected. The second benefit involves establishing good financial habits. It’s essential to keep track of your finances and hard-earned money.
It’s important to generate some income while attending classes. On-campus jobs can be optimal for earning money without incurring commute times or expenses. If you're new to college life, apply for every suitable on-campus position and accept the offer that makes sense for your financial needs. Then build a monthly budget around that revenue that includes necessary and discretionary spending.
It’s important to place a portion of your earnings in a savings account for emergencies. Reasons to tap into that backup money do not include concert tickets, a road trip, or new clothes. Emergencies for college students might involve purchasing textbooks or an urgent care visit. With any luck, you’ll graduate with enough cash in the bank to get an apartment after securing a job.
Taking a portion of a student loan, scholarship, or even a tax refund and spending it on a big-ticket item may not be the best idea. Expensive devices only last a few years before becoming outdated. And buying new dorm room furnishing probably won’t make the journey into post-college professional life. Consider asking friends and relatives who went to college about major purchases. The money you save could prove invaluable after graduation.
More than a few high schoolers and college students feel like their parents, and other family members come across as if they know better. Truth be told, older adults routinely made financial debacles they regret and they’re trying to advise you not to make the same mistakes. It may prove useful to ask loved ones to talk about their financial missteps so you can maximize your experience and minimize financial mistakes.
If you are looking for trustworthy financial advice or a reliable checking account, savings account, or credit card created specifically for college students, contact Peach State today!