By Faith Forster, Managing Editor & Graphic Coordinator 

A piggy bank has always been a classic way that a child would save their money. So, why shouldn’t adults have one? 

I grew up, living by the philosophy that you should only buy what you need in order to do your best to save money for the future. Now, as an adult, I continue that method with my own money, although there are times that I fall victim to good advertising.  

As college students, not only do we have to go to school, but most have jobs on the side to be able to handle all the financial matters of college. This involves tuition, living expenses, and food.  

There are many people out there who can give you advice on money management, but really, it can be broken down into five simple categories. Dave Ramsey, media personality, author, and motivational speaker, has found that these five rules can help you “Win With Money.” 

Step One: Live on less than you make. I know, sounds impossible, right? But if you are able to control your spending habits to only spend on what you need, that already helps significantly. The main part of this step, is to not spend more than the amount of money you take in. 

Step Two: Stick to a written plan. Budget monthly, weekly, or however you receive your paychecks, figuring out how every dime you earn will be used. This will help with step one, ensuring that you can manipulate your money to work with the budget you have. 

Step Three: Get out of debt. According to Congress, as of 2025, there are 43 million people in the US with debt from federal student loans. Though one of the major players of debt is student loans, there are also the other forms of debt in credit cards, car payments, houses, and even medical bills. Once you can relieve the tethers you have to those debts, you can then have your income better to work with you than having to work with a bank. 

Step Four: Save and invest money. If you are able, emergency funds can be essential. That time your tire blew out on the highway? Covered. The time that you broke your arm? Covered. Having spare money in your account, even if it’s slowly built over time, can help in the long run. If you were to have extra money, you could start investing that money for retirement. No one ever said you can start too young.  

Step Five: Be outrageously generous. Only after you have controlled your finances, should you even think about touching this step. But, once you are able, this step is able to help you realize that material things don’t give you happiness, as much as other people might say. It gives you the perspective that you would then be able to be generous without worrying about the number in your bank account.  

None of these steps are easy. Each can be difficult in their own right. It is a matter of how you go about each step, and how much effort you put in, that can truly change your life.