We’ve all been there: It’s the end of the week and you’re staring at your bank account, wondering where all your money you planned to put toward savings went. Then, slowly, you realize it was the “little” expenses that quietly added up: the sweet treat and iced coffee on Monday, bar-hopping with friends on Wednesday, the outfit you bought for internship interviews on Saturday. Between online shopping, spontaneous plans, and the occasional “I deserve this” moment, saving money in college can feel nearly impossible — especially when your big life goals (like traveling, buying a car, or eventually owning a home) feel years away.
But according to money expert Taylor Price, building up your savings doesn’t have to mean cutting out every fun purchase or living off instant ramen — it’s about creating good financial habits early on. “You don’t have to cut every small indulgence, but you do want to create a system where your essentials are covered, your future self is getting something, and your fun money has a limit,” Price, 26, tells Her Campus in an exclusive interview.
Price, known online as Priceless Tay, launched her career as a personal finance educator in 2019 and has since grown her audience to over 1 million followers on TikTok alone. Committed to making personal finance feel accessible and realistic, she breaks down money habits, shares budgeting tips, and promotes financial literacy. In her current partnership with Prime for Young Adults — an Amazon Prime subscription specifically for 18-24 year-olds and students in higher education that offers 5% cash back on tons of purchases — Price is especially focused on teaching Gen Z how to make smarter financial decisions without sacrificing their everyday lives, including saving up for big purchases in the future.
But like… how? Below, Price shares some of her top tips for saving up for big purchases while still in college.
1. Get Familiar With Your Finances
“Contrary to popular belief, the first step isn’t a complicated spreadsheet,” Price says. “It’s getting a clear picture — either in your notes app or literally on pen and paper — [of] what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what you actually want your money to do.”
This isn’t a one-and-done action, either. Price suggests taking yourself on a “money date” once a month to log into your accounts, list income sources and fixed expenses, and pick a small goal to accomplish, such as a monthly transfer to savings. Once money is “on paper,” she says, it becomes much easier to make intentional financial choices.
2. Don’t Sleep On Student Deals & Discounts
According to Price, your everyday habits matter more than many young people realize. “Small decisions you make consistently — where you shop, how you save, and whether you’re getting value back from purchases you’re already making — they add up over time,” she says.
Looking back, Price says one thing she wishes she had taken advantage of more in college was student discounts. “I didn’t use it to my full advantage — you’re already doing the spending anyway, so why not save where you can?” she says. “This is why I love my partnership with Amazon’s Prime for Young Adults, because it can actually be useful for us young people trying to balance smarter spending and saving at the same time.”
3. Start Small
For students feeling overwhelmed by finances, Price says the key is to start small instead of waiting for the “perfect” time to save.
Rather than attempting to save large amounts, Price recommends saving a percentage of each paycheck or source of income, even if it’s small. That way, students can build the habit consistently without feeling discouraged during slower financial periods. She also recommends treating “found money,” such as birthday gifts or holiday cash, as an opportunity to put a little extra toward savings.
“Consistency beats intensity over and over and over,” says Price. “$20 or $50 saved every month, starting now, is way more powerful than waiting for some future moment, which might not even come.”
4. Don’t Let Social Media Dictate Your Spending
As a finance creator herself, Price acknowledges the role social media plays in shaping spending habits for Gen Z students. While platforms like TikTok and YouTube have helped normalize conversations surrounding budgeting, investing, and financial literacy, they can also encourage unhealthy comparison and overspending, she says.
“The healthiest approach is really to treat social media as inspiration and information, not as this price list for what your life should look like,” she says.