A drink before school. A snack on the way home. A quick stop with friends after practice.
Five or ten bucks at the gas station might not seem like much in the moment. But when those stops become part of your everyday routine, they can add up faster than you think.
The good news? You don't have to give up every snack run to be smart with your money. You just need to know where your money is going.
The $5 Stop That Turns Into $100
Let's say you spend $5 at the gas station before or after school.
Do that five days a week, and you've spent $25.
Keep it going for four weeks, and you're at $100 a month.
If your usual stop is closer to $10, that could be $200 a month.
That's money that could also go toward a new pair of shoes, concert tickets, your first car, a weekend with friends, or savings for something bigger.
Small purchases aren't necessarily bad. They just become a problem when you don't realize how much you're spending.
Know Before You Swipe
One of the best money habits you can build as a teen is checking your account regularly.
Our mobile app makes it easy to keep an eye on your money from your phone. Instead of wondering where your paycheck or allowance went, you can see your purchases and account activity in one place.
Make it a habit to check your account a few times each week. You might be surprised by which purchases add up the fastest.
Let Alerts Do Some of the Work
You don't have to remember to check your account after every purchase. Account alerts can help you stay in the know.
Depending on the alerts available to you, you can receive notifications about account activity and keep a closer eye on what's happening with your money.
Seeing those purchases in real time can also give you a helpful reality check.
$4.87 before school.
$7.42 after practice.
$6.15 the next morning.
Suddenly, those "little" purchases don't feel quite so little.
Give Yourself a Gas Station Budget
Being good with money doesn't mean you can never grab a drink or snack with friends. Try giving yourself a weekly spending limit instead.
If you decide you have $20 for convenience-store stops this week, you get to choose how you use it. Spend it all by Tuesday, and you may decide to skip the rest of the week. Make it last until Friday, and you've practiced budgeting without missing out completely.
That's what managing money is really about: making choices now that help you get what you want later.
Your Money. Your Goals. Your Call.
The next time you make that quick stop before school, take a second before you swipe.
- Do I really want this?
- How much have I already spent this week?
- Is there something bigger I'd rather save for?
Then check your Landings mobile app and see how you're doing.
You don't have to be perfect with money. Start by paying attention. Those small choices can add up to some pretty big wins.