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Like it, love it, gotta have it: Mint

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Jessica Kemp Student Contributor, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
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Caroline Bagby Student Contributor, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mass Amherst chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
Being a female college student is tough. Between classes, assignments, tests and studying, we sure do have a lot on our plates. Now, add in the finance factor. We’ve got to pay for books, food, clothes (of course), and student loans, all while saving enough to go out on the weekends.

Because of all the spending that college aged students do, managing money can sometimes be a little tricky. Luckily for you though, I’ve found a great service that keeps track of your money for you! This wonderful service is called Mint.

WHY MINT IS GREAT

  • Mint is a free, effective and extremely simple way of managing your money while helping to save money in the long run. With the ability to set up a Mint account online or on your smartphone/iPhone, you can keep tabs on your finances virtually everywhere you go!
  • In just a matter of minutes you can quickly and securely link any account to your online Mint profile and view them on one accessible page. Bank accounts, credit cards, student loans – you name it! Though I think it’s safe to say that we are too young to currently have “larger accounts”, Mint can also be linked to your car payments, house payments, insurance, and investments. Once all of your accounts are linked to the website, Mint will tell you how much money you have and how much you owe.
  • Another great thing that Mint allows you to do is create a monthly budget for yourself. With this budget feature, your spending is categorized so you know exactly how much money you are spending and where you are spending it. Once you set the limit on how much you would like to spend a month on food, clothes, entertainment, gas, coffee shops, etc, Mint will keep track of your spending and notify you when your budget is close to exceeding. You are able to make adjustments, track your progress, and find ways to smarter spending.

  • I am sure that everyone is familiar with student loans, yes? With Mint, you are able to keep track of your loans as well as the interest that accumulates with them. Now there is no excuse for forgetting to pay for that education you worked so hard for!

I am really encouraging you all to try Mint out because it truly is a lifesaver! Before I recognized a service like this, I often found myself running behind on my bills, over-drafting my account, and all that other stuff that college kids so carelessly do. Now however, I’m paying my bills on time and keeping track of all the money I spend so I don’t run into those problems ever again.

If you are interested in setting up a Mint account, visit www.mint.com or download the Mint app for your android phone or iPhone!



 
Caroline Bagby is a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst majoring in Journalism and minoring in Spanish. She spent her summer interning at Kiss FM for Boston's #1 hit radio show and getting owned by the restaurant where she waited tables. She is now double interning for Her Campus and for ABC40 in Springfield, MA where she is working as a broadcast news intern. Caroline hopes to one day make a name for herself in the production industry. She enjoys spending the money she doesn't have, bubbletinis, watching movies, writing, and surrounding herself with friends and family.