Whether one is going to Cancun or keeping it closer to home for Spring Break, no college student wants to wind up with empty pockets when that hallowed week arrives. So how can a college student save money for Spring Break while still in school? It may sound like a challenge, but there are ways to make it happen. Here are four simple suggestions:

The first suggestion is to find a way to keep this goal at the forefront of your mind. Keeping your goal frequently in front of you can be a great way to motivate yourself to make the little sacrifices you’ll need to in order to save some cash between today and the first day of your Spring Break. Leave notes and messages on the bathroom mirror, fridge, or even the car dashboard for when that unnecessary late night drive-thru trip comes beckoning. Partnering up with friends is also a great way to keep motivated, especially if they are all planning a trip together. Having an accountability partner will help everyone involved, because nobody wants to be the one left behind during a trip because he or she can’t afford the cover their part of the expenses.

Suggestion two is to cut down on the little things. The daily beverage from the Suave Cafe or the drink machine is not necessary for survival. If there is a tobacco habit involved, consider it a good time to start cutting back. Those little expenses add up quickly, and they add up to a lot.

The third suggestion is to start collecting change. Putting nickels and dimes aside on a regular basis can add up fast. Also, consider a discrete location for two reasons:  The first goes back to the old saying “out of sight, out of mind.” The less one sees the change, the less one is tempted to use it. The second reason to be discrete is to avoid tempting any roommates one might have.

A fourth suggestion is to see if a few extra hours can be added to the work shift.  An on-campus job is also a good way to look for some extra cash. The extra money made from an additional hour or two at work can add up quickly.