College is often your first real taste of freedom, and it’s also where you tend to get the hang of financial planning. Since school won’t leave much time for working, your checking and savings accounts may be a little low. Below are a few financial planning and saving tips to help you keep money in the bank.

How College Students Can Save Money

1. Cook at Home

Eating at restaurants or fast food places regularly can drain your bank over time, so save them for special occasions, and cook meals at home instead. Pack food from home if you’ll need a snack or a meal between classes, and take advantage of sales at your local grocery stores.

If you have extra financial aid money, consider putting it towards a meal plan that gives you credit to use at dining halls and eateries on campus. Since it’s like paying for your meals in advance, it’s useful anytime you’re short on cash throughout the semester.

2. Create & Follow a Budget

An essential part of quality financial planning is creating a budget and sticking to it. Outline the average amount you make every month, and include any recurring monthly costs you have like bills and groceries. Whatever you have left should be put towards essentials or deposited in your savings account. A budget also helps you keep track of how much you’re spending on miscellaneous costs like eating at restaurants, so you know where to make cuts if you need to.

3. Use Student Discounts

Most stores in college towns offer student discounts on everything from car washes to transportation to groceries. Check in with other students and businesses around town to find the best deals, and take advantage of them with your student ID. Some banks may offer deals, too, such as student accounts that come with built-in overdraft protection, no minimum balance, or no fees. Even some online services—like music streaming sites or office software—offer discounts for college students with a university email address.

If you need assistance with financial planning or opening a student account, the experts at First & People’s Bank and Trust Company in Russell, KY, will help. Since 1932, they’ve provided financial advising, accounting, loan, checking, and saving services. Locally-owned, they have branches in Flatwoods, Greenup, and South Shore, KY. Learn more about their services like online banking on their website, and call (606) 836-0211 to ask about student options.