MALE STUDENT 1: One of my strategies is to use a debit card. Because it's my own money. I won't owe anybody versus using a credit card.

MALE STUDENT 2: One time-- I have a debit card, but one time-- I went to the mall with a few of my friends and just hung out. And before I knew it, I had spent over $100. And I've earned this money myself, so you would think that I could feel this coming, reaching into my own pocket and being taken from me. But I didn't realize that until after I went online and checked my bank account and realized the full overview of how much I had spent. And I didn't realize when I was buying this book gumball or this slinky or something that I've blown away $100 worth. And since then, I just know that if I keep an eye on the overview of my main number, my account, I can keep track better of my money flow.

But in the moment it's easy. It's I've learned that if I don't really need it, I don't need to buy it. Like when I'm passing a stand in the hallway. I mean, I'm not dying, so I don't need to buy this candy bar.

FEMALE STUDENT 1: Credit card is so easy, like you say. It's not coming out your-- you don't feel it coming out of your pocket if you had dollar bills. So you're like, oh, I can just get this, it's only $16.99. But if you really had a 20, and OK, I'm only getting $4 back? It's easier to swipe a card, real easy.

I'm good with money, so I know, OK, I just don't go swiping cards. I still think, OK, somebody still has to pay for it. I've been pretty good at keeping my-- the bill low.

FEMALE STUDENT 2: As far as here on campus, we have our school ID, which is slash card, holds money, blah, blah, blah. You can use it for printing, eating, all those terrific things on campus. So that I personally won't go beyond my means, I limit the amount I put on that particular card. Because I put the money on there. So if I know I only want to spend so much, then I only put so much on it at a time. And that limits me from going overboard.

FEMALE STUDENT 3: I've learned that in college you definitely-- you know how when your mom used to say, you'll understand when you're spending your own money.

FEMALE STUDENT 1: Yeah

FEMALE STUDENT 3: Yeah, I definitely understand now. Because I work. And it's hard working and being in school at the same time. So when you have to work and earn that hard-earned money, spending it hurts sometimes. Like, oh, man, I don't want to spend this 20. I've worked so hard to get it.

But then when you finally spend it, you have to keep track. I keep track. I've never had a horror story. I always keep track I'm an old lady. I keep my checkbook with me. So whatever I write, whenever I use my debit card, all right, checkbook, where's it at?

FEMALE STUDENT 2: Going back to school and maintaining a budget, you have to incorporate a little bit more as far as transportation, books, and as far as tuition itself. Because it's not all out-of-pocket, but there is some out-of-pocket. So I try to make sure that I'm covering everything up-front so that there's nothing down the line that I'm not prepared for. So whether it's supplies, books, even considering eating meals off campus or on campus away from home, I have to incorporate all of that.

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