A recent poll shows a majority of young adults are more interested in nickels and dimes than in shedding those extra pounds. The Gallup poll shows 82 percent of young adults are interested in organizing their finances. The majority of respondents between the ages of 18 and 29 expressed a commitment to reduce their overall level of debt compared to 50 percent of respondents age 65 and older with the same goal. Jeanette Tucker, human ecology professor and family economics specialist, said older adults tend to have more control of their debts and finances compared to college students, which could explain why younger adults are more interested in their financial stance. “Young adults usually have less income, not counting impoverished elderly,” Tucker said. “Experience with debt may cause them to realize the importance of learning financial stability.” More young adults said they would “read a book or take a course on personal finances” than the older age respondents, according to the poll’s results. Younger participants also planned to reduce entertainment expenses compared to older participants. Shivas Gilotra, nursing student, said he does not currently worry about finances because he lives with his parents and gains income from a disc jockey job. “There is an average amount I spend on entertainment,” Gilotra said. “I don’t spend any more or less than that because entertainment is a part of my job.” Tucker said students should track expenses for a few months, create a budget and then “live by it.” The budget should consist of categories such as food, entertainment, housing and savings. “Watch out for spending leaks to vending machines and coffee shops,” Tucker said. “Some people aren’t aware of how little, unnecessary expenses add up.” Amol Sura, undecided freshman, said he plans on being more aware of how he spends money and hopes to control his finances by not buying unnecessary things. But he said he does not plan to spend less money for entertainment. Tucker said instead of buying lunch at a local cafe, students should pack their lunches from home. She said forming good habits like this allows students to save more money or pay off credit card debt. “Young adults haven’t really formed bad financial habits,” Tucker said. “I’m thrilled to see youth interested in reducing their financial burden.”