Managing your money well at University can be a difficult skill to learn. Here, current student Kerri Batchelor shares her experiences to help you do just that.
When you receive your student loan, you’ll usually receive a lump sum that needs to last for a few months. Whilst it can be tempting to go on a spending spree, it is important to make smart decisions when it comes to money to ensure you don’t overspend. Here are some tips on being clever with your money as a student!
Think ahead and start with a budget
We have all been told it, but it is so important to start making a budget as soon as possible. I do this with an Excel spreadsheet, calculating how much money I will receive and then deducting my rent payments and any bills. With the remaining amount, I divide this into how many weeks (or months) it needs to last, to determine how much leftover I have to spend. I find putting my student loan in a separate account helpful and then transferring my weekly spending into my main account to ensure I keep within budget.
Know when your rent is due
When paying for your accommodation, your rent may not always line up with student loans, so ensure you check this and plan ahead – you may need to keep some of your loan saved for future payments if you’re due another instalment before you receive more money. Some purpose-built accommodation in the city often have cashback or loyalty deals, or if you’re privately renting, using comparison sites for bills is a good way to keep costs as low as possible.
Bulk buy shopping
When it comes to shopping, buying larger quantities is usually cheaper. Batch cooking for the week is a great way to cut down on food waste and prevent doing small shops throughout the week which are often more expensive. Shopping with your flatmates is also a good way to cut down on expenses as you can share the cost of bigger purchases. Often, in the evening you can pick up reduced items for a fraction of their normal price to be eaten that day or frozen for a later date. Using apps such as OLIO and Too Good To Go are also a great way to pick up some free or heavily discounted food!
Get transport discounts
We are lucky in Exeter, as it is a very walkable city. However, if you’re going further afield, you can purchase a 16-25 railcard (also available for mature students over 25) for 1/3 off train travel or a term rider for discounted bus travel. The university also has a lot of areas for bicycle parking, which can be found in this interactive map.
Get as many student deals as possible
Every time you buy something, always ask for student discount as sometimes they aren’t advertised. You normally need to show your uni card, but apps such as UniDays or StudentBeans can be helpful too. Getting a student bank account is also a good way to pick up some freebies – offers vary from free railcards, 0% overdrafts or cash incentives.
I hope you found these tips helpful for saving money – have a great year ahead!