Money. I am no good at saving it but am rather an expert on spending it. There’s no way to sugar coat the fact that I love shopping for just about anything that I just have to have, and will do it within the blink of an eye. That is one thing I do extremely well: treating myself (at the expense of my bank account, of course).

I'm finally done with the years of, none the less, forced attendance at school, I am also done with free schooling. That is something that I have had a rude awakening to as I took out my very first loan at a pretty hefty price for my first year attending a university (let's just have a moment of silence for being in debt before actually attending school).

There is just one short month before I am on my own financially, and in every other aspect. That also means that there is just one short month for me to master the art of saving money, and leave behind my bad habits of being a hasty spender. So here are some savvy saver tips I have learned from my parents along the way:

1. Plan it out!
   
   Google Sheets has become my best friend recently. It has helped me learn the ways of planning out my money and what I need to (not want to) spend it on.
   
2. It’s okay to treat yourself here and there.
   
   Going from reckless spending to a savvy saver is not going to happen overnight (I know, I wish it worked like that, too). But reality is, it takes time to kick old habits.
   
   So, my mother told me that one way to help is to plan out a little splurge for yourself each month. It could be anything from getting a massage during finals week to buying those new shoes you’ve been eyeing, but the key is to budget it into your monthly plan!
   
   But, more importantly, was to not splurge if the budget does not allow you to. Sticking to your budget will be the hardest change, but allotting a mini splurge each month will help you fuel your spending habits without breaking the bank.
   
3. Get a job!
   
   Maybe even get two if your schedule allows it. In order to make saving every penny of every paycheck work is where planning it out comes in handy. Staying on track is key and is how you’ll see your savings grow to an amount you (and the bank) has never seen!
   
4. Think long term.
   
   Don’t just plan out the now, but also the future. It is never too soon to start planning out your life financially. Make yourself a 5, 10, or even a 15-year plan! This definitely is easier said than done, but none the less possible! It will shed some light on what you can and cannot do right out of college and you’re future, not-so-clueless, graduate self will thank you for it.

My parents have taught me so much these past couple weeks about finances as I have started to dive into the life of a financially independent adult. Their tips and lessons have opened my eyes to this crazy financial world and have taught me that it will be tough at times, but the one thing I need to always remember is to stick to the plan and things should work out. And, if Rebecca Bloodwood can do it, so can you!