Managing my Spending: Start Small 

Managing money as a high school student isn’t always easy—between hanging out with friends, buying snacks after school, and saving for bigger goals like a phone or car, it’s easy to lose track of where your money goes. Last summer, I realized I was spending more on food and clothes than I expected, and my parents were not happy. They decided to give me a monthly allowance for clothing and made me start paying closer attention to my spending. At first, I was distraught. I had been eyeing a pair of jeans since February, and now I couldn’t justify the cost. But as time went on, I actually became grateful for the change—it forced me to slow down and think more carefully about how I use my money.

One of the biggest changes I made was setting spending categories for myself. I gave myself a weekly limit for fun purchases, like grabbing a coffee from Starbucks or going out, and I started writing down exactly how much I was spending—and how much I was saving—in my notes app. From tracking purchases to setting limits, I began treating my personal spending the same way I’d manage our school budget—and it made a big difference. I also set aside $10 from my allowance each month into savings and challenged myself to find online coupons or discounts before buying anything new. I always check the sale section first now, and sometimes I don’t even buy clothes if they aren’t on sale. From tracking purchases to setting limits, I began treating my personal spending the same way I’d manage our school budget—and it made a big difference. These habits helped me understand the value of money and made me more intentional about my choices. Managing your own spending might seem like a small step, but it builds habits that lead to smarter financial decisions in the future.

Kashvi Garg

April 20, 2025