When looking on Pinterest, you can find so many different ways to save money, especially if you’re a college student. Obviously, we all have had someone tell us “don’t go out to eat” or “don’t buy that cute shirt” at one point or another, but sometimes you just have to indulge yourself. Clearly, students apply for scholarships, grants and loans, but we often need extra money because these helpful sources of funding do not always cover all the costs. However, do not fret. There are many things you can do to save money, so here are a couple of the top finds on Pinterest that might help your broke college student needs.

Create an impulse buy list

We all have those things that we see and automatically want to get. Create a list of those things so when you want to get something your past self will be shaking their head no. For example, if you are obsessed with shoes and every cute pair is a “need” right this moment, add them to your impulse buy list. Once you see them on your list, you will automatically feel guilty for even thinking about buying those shoes. Just walk away. If you are still thinking about them two weeks later and have saved some money, treat yourself.

Start filling a ‘piggy bank’

I know a piggy bank sounds childish, but hear me out. Get a cup, bottle, bag, etc. and start putting cash or coins that you have lying around into it for safe keeping. If you want to go one step further, create a checklist of how much money a week you have to put in your piggy bank. The first week could be a dollar, the next it could increase to five dollars, and it keeps increasing as weeks go on. I know you are probably thinking, “I need those five dollars,” but one day you could need them more than you do now. To keep yourself from cracking open your piggy bank, put a note on it preventing you from using it until completely necessary or set a date that will be the end of your “savings spree.”

Student discounts

They exist, and I am sure you know this, but do you know all of them? Many places have them, but they are never asked about. Do not hesitate to ask whether a place has a student discount or not. There has been a time or two that I go to pay and then the cashier asks if I am a student, which ultimately ends up saving me some extra cash.

Create a budget

Establish a budget and always keep it lower than what you can actually afford. If you have $100 in your bank account, treat it as though you have $50. You might be thinking, “But I have $100. Why should I tell myself otherwise?” Well sorry, but, no, you don’t because something could happen where you need that money and you will be down to nothing in no time.

When in doubt there’s an app for it

There are many different apps where you can earn extra cash or start a budget for yourself. There’s practically an app for everything. Before you truly start to struggle and see red in your bank account, invest in a couple different apps to see which one works for you. Find a good budgeting app — it could save you from the sheer panic of being declined at your next purchase, so do your research.

Students always focus on how they can make extra cash quickly, but with just a handful of helpful tips from Pinterest, you can have extra at all times. Don’t get me wrong, make that extra cash when you can, but remember that you need to be saving at the same time.