As a college student, budgeting your funds, or lack thereof, is not always an easy task. Bruce McManis, Department Head of Finance & Economics, said students should decide what is important and make sure that it is covered first. He said the most important things to students should be living expenses, groceries and school expenses.

According to McManis, sometimes a budget is the last thing students think about. “They may tend to spend beyond what they make or is paid by student loans,” McManis said. “The deeper the hole you dig, the longer it takes to get back to the surface.”

Ashley Woolledge, mass communication sophomore from Marrero, said she has two jobs. She uses one to keep her business running, and the other job she uses to pay rent.

“I know that in order for my entertainment business to continue to run smoothly, I need to have the necessary supplies,” Woolledge said.

Woolledge said students should always remember that eventually loans must be paid back plus interest.

McManis said another suggestion is that students cut up their credit cards.

“Credit cards get many students into very serious problems,” McManis said. “There always seems to be more room on the plastic, and when it becomes full there are always more credit cards coming in the mail.” McManis feels that credit cards should be used for emergencies only.

Woolledge said that credit cards are a bad idea.

“I hate them,” Woolledge said.

Woolledge said many people think credit cards will help build their credit, but people end up establishing bad credit.

“Credit cards build debt, not credit,” Woolledge said. “It is important before you decide to purchase something that you make sure you can afford it.”

Woolledge said students should use a debit card rather than a credit card so one knows what they have available. Woolledge also said to students should not use more money than he or she has available.

According to bankrate.com, a student should track their spending to see where their money is being spent, map out a budget so they know where money will be needed and give themselves a spending limit and not allow themselves to go over it.