Being a student is hard enough as it is because you’re always in class, trying to focus on your grades and getting assignments done. A majority of students have a regular job on the side, so having money and not overspending is another concern. So when class is out and work is over, it’s time to have fun. But excitement can have a heavy cost.

Most people tend to live in the moment because time is limited, and just like swiping a credit card, money can go fast. The easiest thing a student can do to save money is to use the money they have already and not charge their credit card. There’s nothing worse than trying to save money and then opening up a credit card statement that is so large it makes you wonder how that dollar figure accumulated to such a high amount. It could have been that night that you took your girlfriend or boyfriend out to eat at a nice restaurant and threw it on the card, or the day you filled up your gas tank and walked away from the pump because you charged it.

A little sense of reality can take you a long way economically because not having money and adding to your deficit with a credit card bill will make it worse. Use the money that you have in your wallet when spending because at least when those dollars are gone, you know when your budget is tight.

In general, I know it’s hard to take your parents advice when they tell you, “Only use your credit card in an emergency,” but in this case their advice is sound. It’s worse as a student to have multiple credit cards because finding a balance will never happen. If you do have multiple credit cards, don’t feel as if it is a limitless supply of cash. One way or another, it will have to be paid, and starting to save money now will prevent stress in the future.

Spend only the money that you have access to. Yes, it might be tough at first, but saving money will become a reachable goal in a shorter amount of time.