If your weekly budget is pinched, there are ways you can lessen the pain but still have fun.

Making It on $50 a Week

While many young people dream of having loads of disposable income when they graduate college, the reality often doesn't live up to that expectation. A recent survey of 18- to 24-year-olds showed that 39% have $50 or less to spend each week.*

• Host nights in. Instead of hitting the expensive clubs or restaurants with your friends, opt for entertaining at home. If everyone brings food and drinks to share, you'll all save money over going out.
• Watch your cell bill. Little charges for things such as ringtones and text messages may only be a dollar or two, but they can add up over time. Sign up for unlimited texting if you use it a lot, and choose one ringtone and stick with it.
• Take advantage of student discounts. If you're still taking classes, many places like movie theaters and concert venues will offer discounts with a student ID.
• Hit up the local library. You might not have thought about stepping foot in a library if you're not studying, but it can be a great place to check out recent bestsellers and magazines without spending any money. You can also try out new music without shelling out for pricey music downloads.

saving for the future
Even if you think you don't have enough extra money each month, making savings a priority is important for your financial future. Start an emergency fund in a DCU Savings Account with whatever amount you can afford from each paycheck – even if it seems small at first. Having the money automatically transferred from your checking to your savings can be an easy way to save.

* Source: CUNA, cuna.org.