As a college student, it is safe to say that money is always on your mind. You never seem to have quite enough, even after your parents add a few bucks to your bank account.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to save money throughout the year. By changing your spending habits, you may soon find that your financial situation is not nearly as challenging.

Here are three ideas to consider:

1. Set an actual budget. Many college students believe that a budget is only for working adults, however, this is not the case. A basic budget will give you a better idea of where you are spending your money, thus allowing you to make the necessary changes.

2. Set money aside for extracurricular activities. Do you need cash for a night out on the town? How about an athletic event? It goes without saying that you want to enjoy your time in college. Since it often times takes money to have a good time, you need to set cash aside so you always have it when you need it the most.

3. Don’t feel compelled to follow the crowd. It is easy to spend more than you want when you are letting others make decisions for you. If you don’t have the money or are not willing to spend what you do have, fight the urge to go out. Instead, look for ways to have fun for free around the dorms or your apartment.

With these three tips, any college student will be able to save money.