Be smarter with the college courses you choose
"I wish I took an intro to economics course or a class to familiarize myself with the money market instead of those easy A's in sociology class. Learn about investments, especially retirement, so when you get your first job you know where/how to allocate your money when you're offered a 403b or 401k. You'll get a head start." — Jenny Ha
Don't get ahead of yourself
"Don't let material things, or the lavish lifestyle your peers seem to have, blind you from your ultimate goal.
"Your responsibility right now is to prepare yourself to find a job to make the money that will allow you to enjoy the kind of lifestyle that you want for yourself, not to live it while studying." — Derek Wong
Steer clear of credit cards until you can handle them
"I REALLY wish I had told myself to stay away from credit cards. At the time I thought it was so great ... four years later I still can't get rid of the damn credit balance because I kept paying the minimum for so long.
"And then when I paid some down finally, I had to charge more on the card, so I was back to being super in debt." — Krysten Massa
Get the most out of student discounts while you still can
"Take advantage of all the things your college had to offer, like using your student ID to get discounts at small businesses and even at retailers like Topshop. There’s also occasional free food at student-hosted events.
"Also, invest in a suit because you never know when you need to go to an interview ... to make more money." — Gavin Li
Start saving immediately
"Start a savings account and contribute, even if it's just a few bucks a month." — Sheena Samu
Pay attention to your money
"Be more conscious about your spending. You should set yourself an allowance so you don't overspend or spend it on things you don't necessarily need." — Javier Andres Lee
Consider passive income
"Earning money and making money are two different things.
Think about investing, and how I can use money to make more money, rather than work for X amount of hours and earn a wage from that." — Chowdhry Ahmad
It's never too soon for a budget
"It is very easy to spend money you don't actually have. Creating a budget for your expenses, and allocating properly for certain purchases will keep your balance in check." — Henry Mei
Don't be ashamed of living with your parents
"It's OK not to move out until you can find decent rent that will only take up about 30% of your paycheck." — Sonaiya Kelley
Figure out where your money comes from, and where it goes
"Unless you get a handle on budgeting and understand the difference between active and passive income, you will be dependent on living paycheck to paycheck." — Maggy Kilroy
