Graduating from high school or college into a pandemic is scary – and saving money may seem nearly impossible.

If you’re a recent high school grad, you’re probably thinking about student loans and what going to college during a pandemic actually looks like. If you’re a college grad, you may have bigger life goals on your mind: Getting a job. Buying a car. Moving out on your own. Planning for the future.

But even during these uncertain times, it’s still possible to start healthy money habits now so you can begin to build your savings + plan for the future.

Here are 5 money-saving tips for recent grads from the finance pros at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union:

💵 Start planning realistic savings goals. Everyone has a different goal to save for, whether it’s a post-pandemic vacation, grad school, or the latest video game. To make those dreams become a reality, break down your income and see how much money is leftover after paying your bills + other expenses. Instead of spending the extra money, put it in your savings account.

💵 Pick the right savings account. MIDFLORIDA Credit Union’s Student Savings account gives kids + young adults (ages 10-20) a place to save for a big purchase or have a stash of cash when they need it. They also have an Absolutely Free Student Checking account that gives flexible, iPhone-friendly options for money management. Those looking to grow their college fund even more can look into the credit union’s CD options.

💵 Find ways to cut expenses. While graduation usually marks a time to celebrate leaving the nest, it might make more sense to stay put – thanks to COVID-19. Not only will you save money on rent, but you won’t have to deal with the stress of moving during a pandemic.

💵 Rethink how you’re spending. If the COVID-19 crisis has taught us anything, it’s definitely made us reevaluate how we were spending pre-pandemic. If you can swap what you would spend on a new lipstick or cocktail at your favorite bar and start putting that into your savings account once or twice a month (or weekly if you really want to see your savings grow), you’ll be one step closer to your goal.

💵 Ask for help. With everyday life changing so quickly, it’s understandable that you might have some banking questions on your mind. MIDFLORIDA Credit Union can help. With most of MIDFLORIDA’s lobbies now open, you can visit a branch to talk about your finances with an expert. Or, if you’d rather stay home, you can always give their help desk a call.

With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, it might seem impossible to think about savings, but every little bit helps. Work with your closest MIDFLORIDA branch to open up a savings account + learn how they can help you to start saving for a bright future. Ⓟ