It’s the first day of spring break, the weather is getting warmer, the second semester is winding down, and you begin to plan out all the adventures you’ll take once it is over. As you get ready for work, you snort, as your reflection in the mirror shows a young girl in her 20s working as a cashier in a dollar store. It's a position that you’ve faithfully held for two years now, and although it’s been a pleasurable experience, you’re ready for that “big girl/boy” job.

Your thoughts are interrupted when you hear your mother calling your name from the other room. In your parents' bedroom, you find your mother sitting in front of the family checkbooks: “Do you know how much money you actually have in your account right now that is yours to save and not for college?” You smile, feeling relieved that even though you may have been doing a lot of spending lately, your consistent paycheck wouldn’t let you fall below the water line.

She leans over to you. “Honey, it’s less than $500...”

In that moment, you feel as though you’ve had one drink too many, and the world begins to spin around you. So in hopes of saving others who have fallen to the depths of institution debt and need a little saving money, I’ve come up with a short list of tips that I, personally, will be living by for the rest of forever.

1. Ditch the debit card.

It’s like they say when you’re heading to the bar: “Leave the card at home” so you’re not tempted to keep buying that merch. By carrying cash, you’re physically seeing and feeling yourself giving away that green tool of survival.

2. Avoid online shopping.

Shopping online is simple, and you never have to leave the comfort of your couch. However, it’s easy to get caught up in the flash of those latest bathing suits and newest shoes, but for the sake of your savings, become content with what you already have, and don’t keep adding more.

3. “See a penny, pick it up and all day long you’ll have good luck.”… Plus a little more than “hopeful luck” after consistently collecting lose coins.

Start collecting coins and the spare change you get from buying that candy bar and only have solid dollars to pay with. Empty your pockets, change purse, and car console of those silvers. Keep your eyes on the ground, especially in high traffic areas–I guarantee that you’ll end your day with a little something that you didn’t have before.

4. COUPONS!

When there are TV shows about it, something must be working at least a little bit.

5. Spend small and buy big.

Even before money troubles, I always looked for the best deal on clothes and shoes, knowing that someday I may end up in this predicament. What I’ve found the most useful was buying specific items in their off seasons. For example, buy your sandals in the winter and sweaters in the summer.

6. There’s an app for that.

Nowadays, there’s always some sort of app for your smart phone that will alert you to the best deals, and some even give "student discounts."

7. Try a little Netflix and chill over that fine wine and dine.

Run to the grocery store and spend your evening making something yourself or together with your significant other. I guarantee you’ll have more fun with a homemade pizza and a package of Oreos in front of a cheesy Netflix original rather than a being in an itchy dress, prancing around an overly air-conditioned restaurant.

So to my fellow broke college students, GOOD LUCK and dream big, but save bigger!