1. Maintain a good credit score! It will save you thousands of dollars in the short and long term when you need to borrow money to buy a car or a home. Creditors will give you an interest rate and the loan amount based on your income and credit score.

2. Large sums of money should NEVER be left in a checking account or even a low-interest bank savings account. Rather, put the money into a high interest savings account (like an ING savings), money market fund, or other forms of short term high interest investments with a fixed return.

3. If you have an employer matching 401K plan, maximize your contributions, so that you double your money!

4. Set aside 10% of your paycheck towards some form of long term savings account, like a money market account, mutual fund, retirement plan, or 401K. As you pay amount increases, your contribution will also increase automatically. 10% will also ensure that you stay ahead of inflation.

5. One of the best investments you can make is to first pay off all your high credit card debts. Credit cards typically carry a high interest rate and by paying off these debts, you get one of the best returns available which also is tax-free.

6. If you are losing sleep over an investment, whether its a stock, mutual fund, or retirement plan, its not worth it! Your lack of sleep is probably a good indication that it may be too risky, too good to be true, or just not the right invesment for you.

7. If an investment is projecting returns that are just too good to be true, they probably are. Unless you are intimately involved in the investment or are an insider, an investment that sounds too good to be true is probably too ambitious, too risky or just a scam.

8. Before you invest in something, always do your own research. Consulting with others and getting a second opinion is good, but you need to investigate for yourself. The internet is typically the best source for lots of information but make sure you read enough or get relevant data.

9. Always negotiate for commissions or fees paid for financial or real estate advice. Don’t be misled by standard commissions and “non-negotiable fees”. It is your money and the experts work for you.

10. Can’t get out of debt? If you are having problems meeting your debt payments each month and feel like you are digging a deeper hole, go talk to your creditors and banks to find a solution to get out of the mess. Beware of debt consolidators as they could charge higher interests in the long term and get you even deeper into debt.

If you like any of these tips, have questions on some, or have some feedback, I would like to hear from you. Visit this article by clicking on http://www.financialresource.org/blog/10-money-saving-tips/ and Post your comments. Look for more money saving tips each week!

Happy Springtime and be Money Smart!

1. Start a Credit History

The best way to start your credit history off on the right foot is to keep it natural and realistic. Go ahead and open up savings and checking accounts – you’ll need them. Next, try starting off with a student credit card. Use it only to make purchases that you’d make anyway and then pay it off in full and on time each month with the funds from your checking account. Your credit worthiness will gradually begin to grow just by conducting everyday transactions.

2. Stick to One Credit Card

If you’re using your credit card only to make planned purchases and paying it off each month, chances are, having one credit card is all you’ll ever need. Sure, the limits start off fairly low, but they will rise as you make purchases and pay the bills on time. Know that having more than one credit card as a college student statistically has a history of leading to credit troubles.

3. Live On a Budget

This is probably one of the most important credit tips for students there is. Write down all of your monthly expenses at the beginning of every month in the order of what you’ll need to pay first. Use your income to pay the items according to priority and be sure not to spend any money at all outside of these categories until all expenses are paid first. Actually writing everything down helps reinforce your understanding of your own individual financial picture and does help prevent unnecessary impulse buys that often snowball and cause credit problems later.

4. Financial Responsibility Counts

Yes, you have to make that credit card payment on time! Paying bills isn’t quite as fun as spending money in the first place, but your credit will be badly damaged for many years to come if bills are paid late or not at all. It’s always better to pay a week early than one second late. Just as important as paying the credit card bill on time is keeping well within the confines of your credit card’s limit.

5. Check Your Credit Reports Often

Just because you’re a student and probably only have just begun your credit history recently doesn’t mean that you’re not a target for identity thieves. Seeing your financial picture from all perspectives is essential to building a lifetime of good credit. Everyone is eligible to check copies of their credit report for free each year. Try checking one of the major three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union) once every four months to make sure there’s no funny business happening at your expense.

Damaged credit will severely hinder everything from the purchase of a home later on in life to the amount you’ll pay for car insurance. Credit affects practically everything these days, so control your credit score by actually taking advantage of these credit tips for students instead of letting your credit rating control you!