As a first-generation college student, budgeting and money management were new concepts to me as I embarked on my college journey my freshman year. After a few weeks, I quickly learned that I needed to learn how to spend and save my money. Following the tips below helped me save and invest my money in various ways throughout the years:

While there is no “one size fits all” approach to budgeting, there are various methods that can serve as starting points when getting a budget started. The first step for any method is to take a look at what your income is in order to know the amount of money you have to work with. One budgeting method is the “20/30/50 Method”. With this method, you would distribute your income so that it goes into three different categories of expenses: Needs, Wants, and Savings and Debt. But which expenses fall into each of these categories?

A lease is essentially a housing contract. With a lease, the user agrees to the rental terms of the owner’s property. A landlord will require that you sign a lease before you can move in. Don’t feel pressured to sign a lease because once you do, you’re bound to the fine print. Before you sign, make sure to carefully read through the details of the lease agreements. If there is anything on the document that you disagree with, talk to your landlord before signing.

Winter break is almost here and the fun holiday festivities will begin! Here are a few fun ideas for activities you can do this holiday season!

It’s important to take a moment and take some time for oneself to do self-care. One way of doing that is by having a movie marathon. Whether you’re watching your favorite movies, holiday movies, or both, grabbing a blanket, some hot chocolate with marshmallows, and enjoying a great movie can be a lot of fun especially with the winter weather.

Everyone knows that college can be expensive and the cost is increasing every year. Between paying for tuition, parking, textbooks, extra fees, and everything else, you also have basic living expenses to pay for as well. These costs can add up, so it is important to learn to survive on a college budget. Below are a few tips to help you survive on a college budget. 

Summer is one of the most fun-filled and enjoyable times for college students as it typically marks the end of the academic year and the beginning of summer break. With the vast amount of fun activities to do in the summer, one can often go over their budget without even realizing it. Below are a few things to keep in mind when enjoying the summer fun.  

The new year is often associated with New Year’s resolutions and changes in one’s habits. Whether your New Year's resolutions are big or small, creating financial goals is a resolution that many should consider at the start of the new year. Here are some budgeting tips to start off the new year:

Living on your own for the first time and budgeting your money can be very tricky. If you are moving off-campus and renting an apartment or a house you should be mindful of rent issues, lease agreements, expenses, and housemates. Here are some tips for living off-campus:

For many students, a financial aid refund is a sign of relief and serves as an extra source of income for the quarter. So how can you use your refund and how can you make the money last the entire quarter after paying for necessary expenses? Here are some smart suggestions on how to spend or save your check.

Being green is a big part of the Aggie identity. After all, UC Davis is the 3rd most sustainable college campus in the world! We aim for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. Our world-class researchers work hard to create solutions for modern issues like global warming, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture. But it can be hard to see where you might contribute to these ambitious goals while trying to live within your means.