Between textbooks and weekend outings, cash in college can have a way of disappearing on you.

And after spending too many paychecks in a week, I became well-versed in how to save as much as possible.

So use my mistakes as a lesson. Here’s how to leave more green in your pocket starting now.

Don’t eat out as much

Drinking and eating out are probably the biggest strain on a college student’s finances. It can be easy to plop down $10 for a meal instead of putting in the time to cook.

But going out a couple nights a week can add up. Three meals for $15 along with buying coffee most days quickly eats away at your savings.

Only go out if you have no other options and try to make your own coffee or tea at home. On top of this, buy groceries as much as you can; you’ll save money in the longterm.

You’ll be surprised how much more money you end up with every week.

Only buy when you need to

It’s easy to fall in love with a new piece of tech or other material object and feel the need to make an impulse buy.

The best thing to do is to keep track of what you need instead of what you want. Try making a list, it can help you avoid getting caught up in purchasing things you don’t need.

And in saving money, you can also pick out things you *really* want later on. That way, you don’t feel the need to spend as much.

Save toward future goals

Before I had my own car, it was difficult getting to places in Boca on time. The problem was, I wasn’t making enough at the time to start saving as seriously as I’d like to.

That need gave me a chance to make a financial change. I could have continued my bad habits, but instead I used discipline to make positive changes to get to my goal.

Before I knew it, I had made enough money and was able to buy a car on my own without damaging my finances. It gave me a sense of pride that I could do that on my own.

Whether it’s a car, a trip somewhere, or a new apartment, having some type of goal can help narrow your focus and show you what’s really important.

Ryan Lynch is the business manager of the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet him @RyanLynchwriter.