Saving money can be a challenge for many college students, especially when there’s food to buy and online shopping to do. However, there are many tools out there to help students save cash or earn a little bit back.

“Ebates”

Ebates is a company that gives cash back to you if you click through the links of stores listed. The company is an affiliate of many online stores like Nordstrom, Target and Amazon. It splits the commission with you when you click on the store and shop through its site or app.

For example, Wal-Mart gives Ebates 2 percent of every referred sale. If Ebates sends a customer to Wal-Mart and the customer buys a $500 computer, Ebates makes $10 on the sale. Wal-Mart is paying Ebates to advertise. Ebates takes that $10 and gives you half ($5).

Every two months, Ebates will send you a check in the mail or deposit into your PayPal account all the money you have earned on your shopping trips. It adds up!

“Hautelook”

Hautelook is an app/website run by the Nordstrom company. Hautelook has week-long events where it sells high-end items for nearly half off. They sell everything from men’s shoes, face wash and Free People apparel to furniture and watches.

Because these events are random, it is best that you have your notifications on so you are aware when they start.

However, this app does not allow you to ponder your purchases. If you add an item to your cart, you have 15 minutes to purchase it, and if you do not, it is removed from your cart and available for another customer. It is first come, first served. Once they run out of the item, they do not restock it.

Made a purchase on Hautelook you aren’t sure about? You can return it to any Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack location and get your money back.

“Mvelopes”

Mvelopes is an online budgeting system that helps you manage your spending. It does so by routing (safely) to your checking account. Every time you spend money, the transaction comes through on your Mvelopes account and you assign it to an envelope. It is the same with your paycheck; you add money to an envelope.

Mvelopes helps you set monthly goals so that you never go into the red on any of your envelopes ,and you are aware of how much you are spending in every area of your life.

By using these three apps, you can manage and spend your money well and avoid the broke college student blues.