Article: You can get a great education anywhere, so consider whether your dream school is really worth it. You might regret it a few years down the road, when you can’t afford to take on a cool internship, go to graduate school, or live where you want because your student loan payments take up such a big chunk of your monthly budget. If you do have to borrow, exhaust your Federal financial aid before taking out any private student loans. Federal student loans have lower interest rates, more forgiving repayment plans, and subsidized loans even pay for the interest while you're enrolled in school. Part of college is learning to adopt adult responsibilities, and building a good credit history is part of that. It's often a good idea to apply for a student credit card to help you build your credit history. This way, when you graduate you'll have a decent history and a good credit score to help you find an apartment or auto loan.  Don't consider this a blank check to spend whatever you want. You still need to have a budget and keep to it. Don't charge more than you can afford to pay off at the end of the month. This way, you'll avoid accruing interest on your purchases, and you'll be less likely to blow a few hundred bucks on something fun but frivolous. Some student-oriented credit cards, like the Discover It card, even offer rewards for good grades. Every little bit helps! Yes, it’s one more responsibility eating away at your time, but social activities cost money. Many students, of course, are contributing to or paying for all of their tuition. Look into work-study jobs that are designed for students and may offer more flexibility. Take advantage of the fact that you are on a college campus. In addition to sports games, you will find readings, plays, and many other activities on campus, often at a cheaper student rate. Some local businesses will also give you a discount for being a student Depending on how much you eat and how easy it is for you to cook where you live, you may benefit from purchasing a college meal plan. Most meal plans will give you a daily or per-meal cost. Have a look at your weekly grocery budget and figure out whether it's cheaper to eat most of your meals in the cafeteria or cook more. If you have a scholarship that includes a meal plan, maximize your money by eating as many meals on-campus as you can. That'll give you more money for books or even the occasional splurge.

What is a summary?
Take on only as much debt as you absolutely need. Use credit wisely. Consider a part-time job. Stretch your dollar. Calculate your food spending.