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You’ve decided on a college and sent in your enrollment deposit - now it’s time to organize your finances and prepare for your move. Moving away to college may be the first time you’re living on your own and making your own financial decisions every day. Here’s how you can prepare:

Preparing financially

• Discuss finances with your parents to develop a financial plan and better understand your own responsibilities. Do you have scholarships, grants, private loans or savings?
• Accept your financial aid offer if you received one. Remember, you can appeal your offer to increase aid if necessary. Don’t forget that you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) every year.
• Complete your student loan paperwork if you need a loan before the semester starts.
• Call the college and ask about available on-campus jobs. There may be work-study opportunities or part-time jobs you can consider.
• Create a budget to ensure your basic needs will be covered (books, food, events, fees, etc.).
• Set up a checking and savings account if you don’t already have one. Some banks offer checking accounts with low fees and overdraft protection. Check out Advancial’s Ultimate Checking account for no monthly service fee and unlimited free ATMs.

 

Preparing for your move

• Start shopping and packing. Think about what you’ll need to bring, where to purchase items and how you’ll pack it.
• Get to know your roommate in advance and coordinate with them about who’s bringing what.
• Make a shopping list. Most colleges have move-in must-have lists on their websites.
• Consider stores that ship to dorms so you don’t have to pack items that take up a lot of space, like bedding and refrigerators.

Do you have questions about student loans, checking and savings accounts or any other financial matters? We’re here to help. Visit us online at advancial.org/dineroteens for helpful information.
 

Money management tips for college

• Use a banking or budgeting app to keep track of your spending.
• If you were offered financial aid in the form of loans, you don’t have to accept the entire package - you can take out a smaller loan.
• Always ask for a college student discount!
• Work to earn extra cash. If you can manage work and your studies, you can earn some money to put toward early loan payments.

 
 
All accounts subject to approval. Restrictions and limitations apply

Buying souvenirs on a family trip can be fun, but it's wise to use money for something meaningful. The next time you travel, don’t just buy what’s at the gift shop. Instead, try to think of a creative way to remember your trip. Here are just a few ideas:

Create a memory book or keepsake box. Collect a few postcards, add ticket stubs, maps, menus and notes about new experiences and other little items from your trip. This is a great way to remember what was special, memorable or funny.

Make a playlist. Download your favorite and most-listened-to songs and local music from the areas you travel. Your playlist will bring you back to your vacation anytime.

Create your own magnets. Use your travel photos, maps or even business cards from the hotels or restaurants you visited.

Send a postcard to yourself. Classic postcards are a great way to preserve your travel memories. Try getting creative with apps like MyPostcard that allow you to use your own photos to create and send unique postcards right from directly your phone!

Create a memory video. With online video makers like Animoto, you can use your vacation photos to create personalized videos with text and music. You can also export and share them with friends and family!

Don’t forget to save your money throughout the year so that you have it to spend on your fun vacation! Make a deposit to your Dinero Teens savings account at Advancial today to get started.

Pets are as “paw-pular” as ever! About 67% of U.S. households own a pet, which equals 84.9 million homes.¹ That’s a lot of paws, tails and beaks!

If you’re trying to convince your family to get a pet, you might have some luck by sharing a few benefits to owning a pet. Here are some facts to help you make your case for a dog, cat or other pet:

• Children who grow up with pets tend to feel higher levels of self-esteem and self-importance
• Teens who own a pet may have reduced symptoms of depression.
• Pet owners are less likely to feel lonely.
• Owning and caring for pets is linked to increased responsibility.

 

• Walking or playing with pets can help improve heart health.
• Pet ownership and pet care encourage independence and self-reliance.

The best way to convince your family to get a pet is to offer to help pay and care for them! Start putting away money in your Dinero Teens savings account at Advancial today.

¹ Source: American Pet Products Association.

 

Volunteer to help animals

Is having a pet at home not an option? Another way to connect with animals is by volunteering at animal shelters. Older teens may be eligible to help:

• Give shelter animals care and attention.
• Assist customers through the adoption process.
• Shadow staff members who work in animal care or veterinary services.

Visit the website of your local Humane Society to learn about volunteer opportunities.

A checking account is an essential part of managing your finances and adulting. It’s useful for paying bills, depositing checks and keeping track of your money. Checking accounts come with a debit card for convenience, so there’s no need to carry a checkbook. You can also use mobile banking to deposit checks remotely and manage your account balance on the go.

Taking on the responsibility that comes with a checking account is part of growing up and proving that you can make wise financial choices. But how do you know if you’re ready to manage your own account? To start, you need:


 

• A source of income (for example, a job). You need to be able to deposit money regularly into the account in order to have money to spend and save.
• Your parents’ permission. Your parents must agree that you’re ready to handle a checking account. If they say no, respectfully accept the decision. Show them that you can save money and spend within your budget consistently, and they may reconsider.
• Responsible spending habits. A checking account doesn’t give you the freedom to spend money however you want. If you make smart choices about money — like spending on a budget and saving for future expenses — you may be ready for a checking account.
• Commitment to tracking your account balance. Spending more money than the amount in your account can be an expensive mistake. It’s important to keep track of your transactions so you know your balance before making a purchase.

Managed right, a checking account can be a great way to keep track of your money and set a budget for saving and spending. When you’re ready, check out a Dinero Teens checking account at Advancial to learn more.
 

Dinero Teens checking account

Our teen checking program helps you gain experience in managing your money responsibly. Account features include:

• No monthly service fees
• Unlimited check writing
• Debit card rewards
• cuAnywhere^® online and mobile banking
• Free debit/ATM card
• Unlimited free ATMs
• Automatic reimbursement on other banks’ ATM fees

Visit advancial.org/checking-accounts/dinero-checking to learn more about opening your first checking account at Advancial.

Do you have your eye on some large purchases this fall? Maybe you’re thinking about replacing your kitchen appliances, updating your yard equipment or giving your patio furniture a makeover. Retailers have a strategy and set times to roll out major discounts for Labor Day weekend, so as a consumer, having a strategy yourself can save you a lot of money.

Time Your Purchases

If you’re too busy enjoying the last weekend of summer to shop the sales, don’t worry. There’s a good chance you can still grab some deals later or even online. Many stores maintain Labor Day pricing throughout the month of September or slash prices even more.

Although shopping after Labor Day can help stretch your dollars even further, there may be less selection to choose from and popular items may be sold out. And it pays to be selective with your purchases, because Labor Day sales aren’t always the best time to buy everything. For example, if you’re looking to buy electronics or toys, consider holding off until Black Friday for the lowest prices.

Labor Day Shopping Deals

Knowing what and when to buy can help you time your purchases accordingly. Here are some shopping categories where you may find significant deals on Labor Day and through the fall:

• Major appliances. Manufacturers release new appliance models in September and October, so you may find some great deals on current year models during these months. Look for sales on refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers and more.
• Grills. Summer grilling season is over, and stores need to move their inventory to make room for fall and winter seasonal items. Look for closeout prices on grills on Labor Day and continuing into fall.
• Patio furniture. You can score deep discounts on outdoor furniture at Labor Day sales. The selection may be more narrow, but it’s worth it if you can find what you want at a fraction of the price you’d pay in the spring or early summer.
• Yard equipment. Buying lawn and garden equipment in the fall can help you avoid paying full price next season. With Labor Day sales in full swing, September is an ideal time to buy a new lawn mower, leaf blower or other yard equipment, according to Consumer Reports.
• Mattresses. Fall is a great time to shop for a new mattress to help you sleep better. Mattress companies and furniture stores traditionally have huge price reductions for Labor Day weekend.
• Clothing. Update your summer wardrobe with discounts on end-of-season sales at department stores and online clothes retailers. Back-to-school styles typically go on sale after the start of the school year.

Shop Smart, Pay Smart

Shopping Labor Day sales is well worth it if you end up paying less for items you were planning to buy anyway. It’s a good idea to explore all of your payment options when making large purchases and find out how much you’ll pay for applicable taxes, shipping, fees and interest.

Before swiping your credit card, consider how the new charges would affect your monthly payment. If you’re paying high interest rates on another credit card, make the switch to the Advancial’s Visa^® Rewards Plus card. There are no fees for balance transfers, and new cardholders enjoy 0% APR for one year if you qualify. After that, your APR will be 8.90%-14.90% based on creditworthiness.

To learn more or to apply for a credit card so you can save on all of your Labor Day shopping, go to www.advancial.org/credit-cards/visa-rewards-plus or call 800.322.2709.