Everybody’s heard the stereotype of the poor college student who eats Ramen noodles every day. While money can seem tight during college, there are ways to keep your money from getting stretched too thin.

Plan ahead

Know how much money you have and how much you’ll earn each month, and plan accordingly. Calculate your monthly bills so you’ll know how much you can spend on groceries and other necessities. Save as much as you can of what’s left over. It can also help to set aside money for entertainment, but not until you’ve set aside money for everything else—including savings.

Use your meal plan

Use your on-campus meal plan if you have one. You’ve probably heard that food at dining halls is terrible, but that’s a myth. There’s always something good, and plenty of it. As an added bonus, dining halls have a great social atmosphere so they’re perfect for meeting people or spending time with friends.

Be a wise grocery shopper

When grocery shopping, buy food in larger quantities that will allow for multiple meals. Instead of hitting up the vending machines between classes, buy granola bars, nuts, or apples to keep in your backpack for a snack.

Pay attention to sales at grocery stores and keep in mind that some stores give a small discount for using reusable bags. Make a grocery list and look online for coupons for the items on your list.

Cut back on entertainment spending

It’s important to unwind at the end of a long week and do something you enjoy, but it doesn’t have to cost money. Go for a run or bike ride, watch a movie or play video games with friends, or go to a free event around campus.

Check out student discounts

Ask about student discounts at restaurants and businesses and always carry your student ID to provide proof. Services like Campus Cash provide coupons to many local establishments.

While college can be a huge financial burden, following these tips will keep finances from becoming too stressful so you can better focus on schoolwork.