I’m in college and come from a low-income household. I’m paying for school with loans and scholarships, but I’ve never really learned how to budget or save money because my family has always struggled with that. My mom sends me a little money when she can, and I’ve been trying to find a part-time or seasonal job for a while, but no luck so far. I’m just worried about running out of money when I really need it since that’s happened before, and it was scary.
I’m watching some YouTube videos to learn, but I feel lost. Any advice would be really helpful. I just want to learn how to manage my money better and avoid being stuck without anything.
I can totally relate. I was in a similar situation when I was in college, trying to make ends meet while juggling loans and scholarships. One thing that really helped me was creating a very basic budget where I prioritized essentials like rent, food, and transportation. Have you looked into any on-campus jobs or work-study programs? They can sometimes be easier to get since you’re already a student.
Zhen said: @Drew
I’m in New York, and I go to a private university.
Gotcha, New York can be expensive, especially with private university tuition. Since you’re already dealing with loans and scholarships, I’d also suggest checking with your school’s financial aid office to see if there are any emergency grants or assistance programs you can tap into. It’s not always obvious, but they sometimes have resources for students in your situation. How long do you have left before you graduate?
Zhen said: @Drew
I’ve got about a year and a half left to go.
You’re getting close, that’s awesome! Stay focused, and don’t be afraid to reach out to your school for help. They might have more resources than you think. In the meantime, just keep your spending as simple as possible and prioritize the basics. You’ve got this!