By Abigail Ofous
Trinity Times Correspondent  

At Trinity Washington University, budgeting is a quiet but essential part of student life.

From getting groceries to Metro fares, students are learning how to manage their money in a city where the cost of living continues to rise. For many, budgeting isn’t just about tracking expenses; it’s about making their money last while balancing school, work and the realities of living in Washington, D.C.

D.C. is one of the most expensive cities in the country, and students feel pressure in their everyday routines. A grocery trip that used to be simple now requires comparing prices, planning meals and deciding what can wait until next week. Transportation adds another factor: Metro rides, bus fares and rideshare trips quickly add up, especially for students who commute or work off campus.

Some students rely on jobs. Others depend on financial aid or family support. But no matter their situation, many say they’ve had to become more intentional about how they spend.

Flor Meraz, who graduated from Trinity in May with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in data analytics, has learned that budgeting starts with asking herself one question: Is this a need or a want?

“Do I need it, really, or do I want it?” Meraz said.

Meraz uses a structured system to divide her money, but even with a plan, rising grocery prices have made budgeting more challenging. She notices how quickly essentials add up, especially when she’s trying to stay within a weekly limit.

Still, in her last semester of college she made room for enjoyment and set money aside for concerts, outings and moments that made her time at the university feel meaningful.

For Meraz, budgeting isn’t about restricting herself; it’s more about finding a balance between responsibility and joy.

Evelyn Alobwede, a sophomore English major, said budgeting is part of finding her independence. She deals with money intentionally, especially when she’s shopping.

“Typically when I’m in a store, I want to know what I’m shopping for, what prices,” she said.

Food is Alobwede’s biggest expense, and she’s had to adjust her habits to make her money last. She also relies heavily on a planner, a tool that she carries everywhere to keep track of her spending and stay organized. Alobwede also credits her friends and says their encouragement helps her stay focused on her goals, even when budgeting feels overwhelming.

Ingrid Hayes-Burrell, a business administration professor at Trinity, sees financial challenges affecting students across her classes.

“They may have food insecurities,” Hayes-Burrell told Trinity Times. “They could have inconsistent access to basic needs. They could also have challenges balancing part-time or full-time employment with these academic demands.”

Hayes-Burrell describes budgeting as a “survival tool” for Gen Z, a generation navigating inflation, rising living costs and uncertainty in the job market.

Some students come in with a foundation of financial knowledge from either high school or family members. Others learn through self-taught techniques. But regardless, Hayes-Burrell says students are adapting.

“Some are very structured budgeters,” she said. “Others are flexible. Both approaches show students are strategic about responding to their financial pressure.”

Hayes-Burrell also sees patterns in the mistakes students make, such as overlooking small daily spending, not tracking expenses and relying too heavily on credit cards or buy-now, pay-later options.

Her advice to students is to start small.

“Track every dollar you spend for one week,” Hayes-Burrell said. “You’ll see where your money is going.”

She also recommends tools and apps like Excel and Mint to help students stay organized and build better habits.

For many Trinity students, budgeting is more than a semester-to-semester task; it’s preparation for adulthood.

Alobwede dreams of having her own apartment in D.C. one day. Meraz, who graduated this May, is thinking beyond campus, while preparing for the financial responsibilities that come with life after graduation. The budgeting skills she has developed – from separating wants and needs to planning for weekly expenses – are tools she expects to rely on into the future.

Hayes-Burrell hopes students see budgeting not as a burden, but as a form of empowerment.

“It provides stability,” she said. “And it provides freedom.”