Campus living can be a fun and eye-opening experience. You’re leaving the comforts of home behind and trying to make it own your own. There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun at college. Sure, you’ll have the opportunity to go to parties, concerts and other social functions. But, if you’re not careful with your spending, you could find yourself in a lot of trouble.

So be smart about your spending and save money with these helpful tips:

Limit credit card use – It’s impractical to warn you not to get a credit card. They can come in handy when you’re in a bind or if you need to make online purchases. But it’s not a good idea to get in the habit of using them for day-to-day transactions and shopping sprees. So before you whip out that credit card make sure you ask yourself, “Do I really need this, and will I be able to pay this off quickly?” If you have to mull it over, put the card away. You’ll save yourself hundreds of dollars in late fees and finance charges.

Use public transportation … or your own two feet – Some colleges don’t allow freshmen to have cars on campus. That actually isn’t a bad thing. Think about it. If you had a car, you would have to pay for a parking pass, gas and maintenance. Save money by using the campus bus or another form of public transportation. You can even walk if your destination is not too far away.

Establish a budget – It’s a good idea to get in the habit of budgeting. You’ll be better off in the long run. Write down all of your monthly expenses so you have an idea of where you stand. Then you’ll know if you can really afford all of your extracurricular activities like dining out or shopping. Seeing everything on paper can help you come to terms with your spending habits.

Find creative ways to save money – For some of us, the words “money” and “save” don’t go together. So we have to find ways to fuse the two together. You can actually save money quite easily by doing simple things like cooking your own meals or taking advantage of campus entertainment. Also, look into clothing swaps or outlets. These are great places to snag the latest styles when you’re on a budget.