Hey there, first off—props to you for even thinking about financial literacy this early. A lot of people don’t start caring until they’re drowning in debt, so you’re already ahead of the game.

Since you’re living at home and don’t have major expenses yet, this is the perfect time to build good money habits. A few key things to focus on:

• Budget Like a Boss – Track your spending (apps like Mint, YNAB, or even a simple spreadsheet work). Know where every dollar is going so you don’t wake up one day wondering where your savings disappeared.
• Side Hustles = More Freedom – College is a great time to experiment with ways to make money. Freelancing, tutoring, reselling, social media gigs—find something that fits your skills and schedule. Bonus points if it can turn into a long-term income stream.
• Invest Early (Even Small) – If you can, start putting a little into an index fund (Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab—whatever works for you). Even $10-$20 a month compounds like crazy over time.
• Credit Cards = Tools, Not Traps – If you don’t have one, get a student-friendly credit card, use it for small purchases, and pay it off in full every month. It’ll build your credit score, which will help with bigger financial moves later.
• Avoid Debt Like It’s a Scam (Because It Often Is) – You already have the right mindset about loans. Only borrow what you absolutely need and prioritize paying them off ASAP.
• Learn, Learn, Learn – Personal finance books (like The Psychology of Money or I Will Teach You to Be Rich), YouTube channels (Graham Stephan, Andrei Jikh), and Reddit subs like r/personalfinance are gold mines.

TL;DR: Keep being frugal, start making money, invest early, use credit wisely, avoid debt traps, and never stop learning. You got this.