Off-Campus Living Guide 2014 | Page 32

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE MONEY 1. Live like a student Now is the time to enjoy the simple things. If you live like a lawyer in school you’ll live like a student when you’re a lawyer. Clip coupons, go to the cheap theatre, hit up happy hour and learn to cook! 5. Plan for major purchases Adjust your budget to build savings for a planned large expenditure so you won’t have to use credit. Want to go to the Rose Bowl or Shasta next year? Start planning for your next big vacation now! 2. Know where your money goes Be aware of how you spend your money. Coffee is the one example, just a $4 a day coffee habit adds up to $80 a month. Review how and where you spend your money to see where you can cut back. 6. Renters insurance Protect yourself by having a policy - it is a great way to make sure your belongings are safe when it comes to a fire, flood or theft. Many times it’s cheap to add on to an existing insurance policy. 3. Develop a budget A budget allows you to plan for expenditures and have an easier time living within your means whether you have trust fund. Make sure financial aid, a job or an amazing t rent and utilities will be covered and don’t rely on a credit card at the end of the month. 7. Protect yourself If you are living with roommates, make sure that they are on the lease with you. Make sure that all aren’t utilities are under just your name. If your friends become enemies and decide to bail, it won’t just be on you to clean up their mess. 4. Don’t rely on credit Those concert tickets at WOW Hall can end up costing several times their face value if you use credit and are unable to pay it off right away. 8. Keep good records Make a rent payment; get a receipt. Same goes with utility payments. It’ll make life easier if you track your payments, and not just through your online banking account. Protect yourself and your future.