08/21/2026
🎓 College teaches a lot of lessons—but some of the most important ones won’t be on the syllabus.
For students heading off to college, this is often the first time they’re managing more of their own financial life. A few lessons worth learning early:
💳 A credit card isn’t extra money. Building credit can be valuable, but only if you understand what you’re spending and can pay it back.
💰 Learn to live within a budget. You don’t need a complicated spreadsheet. Just know how much money you have coming in, what has to go out, and what’s left for everything else.
🍕 Small purchases add up. The coffee, DoorDash orders, late-night food runs and subscriptions may not seem like much individually—but they’re a great way to learn how quickly spending can accumulate.
🏦 Start saving something. Even $10 or $20 at a time helps build the habit. At this stage, developing the habit can be more important than the amount.
📈 Time is your greatest financial advantage. You may not have much money to invest yet, but you have something incredibly valuable: decades ahead of you for your money to grow.
Parents, as you’re helping with dorm supplies, textbooks and everything else on the college checklist, consider adding a few conversations about money to the list too.
The goal isn’t for them to have it all figured out. It’s to give them a strong financial foundation—and plenty of room to learn along the way. 🎓
