In This Chapter

I live for pin the tail on the donkey and piñatas. In fact, they’re the only things that sustain me through the mind-numbing joy that comes from sitting through a Barney or Teletubbies birthday party for little kids. It’s the whole idea of the thing—that somehow, blindfolding someone who only learned to walk a few years ago, spinning them in circles, and giving them a sharp thumbtack or a large stick to swing around is a good idea. I’m not sure that half of the pint-size contestants could successfully complete the task under normal circumstances, much less after three spins and a blindfold.

Money and the college brain are not much different. Whether it is not blowing all their food money in the first week of the month or managing their financial aid refund wisely, the task is hard enough for a young adult. Add in the chaos of classes, a roommate who refuses to shower, and rebuilding a social life from scratch, and it’s not hard to imagine why some students end up missing the financial mark by a country mile. By being deliberate about addressing hidden expenses from the get-go, you’ll ensure that your wallet doesn’t end up getting whacked around like a piñata.