TOOLS TO USE

Spending money sometimes seems like a national pastime. Everywhere you go, you're encouraged to buy, buy, buy. Even something simple like hanging out with friends means buying coffee, pizza, or renting a movie.

Do you ever have a $20 bill and before you know it, you only have a few dollars—or maybe just change—left? Do you remember what happened to it?

You can reduce your college stress immeasurably by learning how to manage money. It's better to focus on studying than worry about your cash.

When you enroll in college, you have to make a lot of important decisions. Some are about the right classes to take, but others are about how you handle your money.

Many people your age say the hardest thing about college is understanding how to manage money. It's thrilling to be on your own—maybe for the first time in your life. But it's also a big responsibility. You will have to pay bills on time, manage credit cards wisely, and save for unexpected or emergency expenses. This section will help you master the use of the important tools on the left.