For decades, college students are continually stereotyped as “broke, twenty-year olds” who live off boxes of Ramen and frozen food. And while I, as I am sure many other college students, receive a pre-allocated allowance for food and select expenses each month, maintain a part-time job and try to predict my upcoming expenses, I continually fear to check my bank account.

Before each semester, I attempt to create a budget that I can realistically stick to. Like any formulation of a budget, I look at what I have spent on in the past, predict upcoming expenses that I will have and project my estimated income. How is it possible, then, that with such attentive budgeting and planning that my projected budget continually fluctuates throughout the semester? One of the only answers I can think of is that as an individual with no dependents, these four years may be the single time that I am only financially responsible for myself and thus am attempting to do as many activities as possible and see as many places as I can.

As a Millennial who grew up in the digital era, it has been easier than ever to learn of exciting events, places, restaurants, concerts, fairs, etc. that exist all over the world. With minimal responsibility (beyond doing well in school, of course), college students are capable of taking advantage of all these opportunities that are laid out before them on a digital screen. Because financial planning for things like retirement or mortgages are not considered at this time, the decision making that goes into whether or not to take advantage of these opportunities is a simple: “do I have enough money as of now to pay for this?” Although these decisions may be considered impulsive, it is one of the only criterion used when deciding to swipe your plastic.

And while some may argue that you will have the opportunity to go on trips or eat at restaurants when you are older and have more money, the current opportunity to independently decide to do so may only be at this moment. Because of this, I am okay with not saving every penny I make from work. I will continue to budget each semester so I live within my means, but plan on continuing to do what I want with my current funds (while they may be limited) during college because: YOLO.