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College Tips     
   Missed payments on your bills will hurt your credit rating (it's important), so set them up with automatic Bill Pay. That way you don't have to worry about payments being late.
Put money into your savings account every month, even if it's just a little bit. Later, when you realize you have enough for that rainy day, you'll be glad you did.
Your payment dates for credit cards can change month to month. Try to pay them off as soon as you can, or at least make sure you know the date and write it down somewhere you'll notice. Like a calendar. Better yet, sign up for Alerts so that you'll get a reminder when your payments are due.
When you buy stuff using a credit card, remember that the price listed on the tag may not be the total price. You have to take into account the interest on your card and possible fees, so it might actually cost you more.
Don't give out personal information online all willy-nilly. One easy trick is to make sure the website has an "s" on the end of the http: in the URL and a yellow lock in the lower right corner of your browser. That means it's designed to be secure.
Be mindful of your checking account balance. Remember pending charges may not always be reflected in the amount showing on your computer screen. You might think you have more money than you actually do, and overdraw your account.
With your check card, just because it works, doesn't mean you have money. You can still overdraw your account, so proceed with caution when you know your funds are low. You can always use your mobile phone to check your account.
Your first stop for a student loan should be FAFSA.ed.gov. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the way to get the cheapest form of loan for college, and often you don't have to repay any principal until after you graduate.
Use your student ID everywhere you can. Lots of places like movie theaters, restaurants, gyms and more offer special discounts to students. Check out your college's website to find places that give student discounts.
Don't let mail (the real kind) sit around in your mailbox. Often, pre-approved credit card offers and junk mail contain personal information that anyone can use to steal your identity. Be sure to shred or tear these up before you throw them out.
If you're having difficulty keeping up with your payments then contact your credit card company. It's in their best interest to make sure you can pay back your balance, so they may be able to help you make payment arrangements. And if it's Bank of America, there's always someone willing to help.
Always try to pay the entire balance each month since you will avoid high interest costs and getting in debt. If you cannot pay the total balance one month, at least pay the minimum payment and avoid using your credit card until you can catch up.
Students are too busy to be writing and depositing checks. Plus, a paperless society helps the environment. Signing up for online banking saves you time while helping save the environment.
Overdraft protection rocks! With overdraft protection, your bank links your checking and savings accounts to cover each other in the event of insufficient funds in one account.
 Dude…dorm rooms are tiny. You need things to organize everything, and you need to throw out stuff you don't use (or sell it online!).
Watch some interior design shows for cheap and easy ways to pimp out your room. Make sure your roommate is cool with it before you go do anything crazy though.
Get a pair of sandals for the shower. Seriously. Ick.
Get to know your RA. They're a wealth of useful information, and if you're buddies they're more apt to let stuff slide now and again.
Have a small toolkit in your room. Between that and some duct tape you should be able to fix just about anything. You never know when a friend from down the hall will need a hand fixing something.
Don't be stupid with your stuff. It should go without saying, but lock your door when you leave, and make sure the roomies do the same. And try to keep valuables out of sight when you do have people coming in and out of your room.
Moving can get expensive. Cut down on costs by asking friends who've recently moved for boxes, or going to the local grocery store. Try to use free stuff whenever you can, like newspaper for padding instead of expensive bubble wrap.
To spice up your cramped dorm environment and stay within your budget, buy double-purpose furniture. Something as simple as a step ladder, for example, can be used to display plants or picture frames.
Cut down on dorm room clutter. Sell your books, DVDs, unused desk accessories, and that ugly sweater that your great Aunt Tilda gave to you for graduation on eBay for some extra cash.
 Sticky Notes are your friends. Use them to remember important due dates, leave notes for roommates or friends and to keep track of almost anything else.
When looking for cheap flights, don't just go to the aggregator sites, but also check out an airline's own site. Often you'll get the ticket for a bit cheaper by buying direct, and you'll have better options if you have to cancel or move the date.
Check out the intramural sports available on campus. They're a great way to meet people, not to mention a great way to stay in shape. I was killing it in the Ultimate Frisbee league last semester. Trust me.
Laundry tip. Take lots of underwear and socks with you and you won't have to go the laundromat as much. You can always re-wear your jeans a couple times, but I don't recommend that with your unmentionables.
Safety in numbers is the rule. Walking to classes, hanging out with friends or grabbing a bite to eat off campus.
Meet or call your roommate before classes start. It makes it a lot easier to already have a friend at school.
Be social. Mingle. Meet people. Don't stay locked up in the library or your dorm all the time. Go out and enjoy yourself!
Become familiar with your college town. Know where the gas station, local grocery store, pharmacy, and hospital are. It may be helpful to know where these places are at some point during your college career.
Get a prepaid phone for a few months to figure out your minute-usage tendencies before completely committing to a two-year plan. Just like a prepaid calling card, prepaid phones offer pay-as-you-go plans, perfect for students living on a budget.
Don't be afraid to ask for student discounts. Many popular retailers and local attractions offer a discounted rate or special offers if you show your student ID.
Comparison shop for the best convenience and services/amenities at a few gyms before committing to any one plan. Many gyms offer discounts for students. Another way to save money but stay in shape is to take advantage of the free athletic facilities on campus.
You can get into many museums or events for free, say by volunteering or working at a film festival, or smaller theater company. Spending your time can save your cash.
 Find a good place to study where you can be alone and not bothered. Most of the time, dorm rooms aren't great for this, with roommates and TVs and video games, it can be hard to get work done. Try the library, or a quiet coffee shop near campus to get away when you need to study.
Get to know your professors. They all have open office hours, and there's no downside to stopping by to say "hi" and let them know who you are. It might come in handy later.
When you buy used books, skim through them for one that has highlighter marks and notes in the margins. You may find some enlightening study tips here.
When writing a paper, set aside one of your favorite snacks or treats, and tell yourself, "I get to eat one after each page I write." That gives you an incentive to get it done, and a reward for doing it.
Don't take too many "hard" classes at once. Try to mix in some fun electives each semester so you don't get too bogged down. You'll be amazed how much Astronomy 101 can break the monotony of your core curriculum.
Learn some advanced memory techniques. There are plenty of them out there, and they aren't too hard once you get the hang of them. Find the ones that work the best for you, and you may find yourself needing to study less.
Find a schedule that works for you. Try taking one class every day, or bunch all of them into two days. See what works best for you, but get a system and try to stick with it.
Study buddies are cool... no really, they are. It's always easier to get through a study session with a buddy or two. Plus, it helps memorization to say and hear things out loud.
Establish a routine time to study for each class. For every hour you spend in class, you will probably need to study two hours outside class. And this includes more than just doing your homework. Go over your notes from class, highlight key points, make flash cards and ask questions for any items that you don't fully understand.
 If you have a meal plan, make the most of it. Most of the time you don't get that money back, so you might as well use it to the fullest.
A mini-fridge and sandwich maker can be extremely helpful with midnight cravings, AND saving money. That way you don't waste your dough ordering pizza when you're studying late.
Buy your food in bulk if you can. It can save you a lot of money, plus you'll never go hungry.
Get a water filter instead of buying bottled water. It gives you the same thing, is cheaper, and is better for the environment.
Eat something for breakfast. Anything. Well, maybe not anything, but something. Breakfast foods are normally cheap, so there's that, but they really will help you feel better during the day.
Ethnic food is the bomb. Learn to love it. It's normally cheaper, healthier, and tastier than fast food and pizza. Try all the places near campus and find your favorites.
When grocery shopping, don't overlook generics. The quality of store brands is much better than it has been in the past. The savings can be significant, often more than 50%.
Show up early. If there is a trendy (read: expensive) restaurant you are desperate to check out, go for brunch rather than dinner. The menu is probably less expensive, and there may be a prix-fixe option. You can easily save 50% by splitting a meal with another friend.
Buy the Sunday paper. The coupon inserts sometimes include discounts at popular chain restaurants.
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