Although summer is a time for travelling, relaxing, and winding down from uni, it is important to be mindful of the academic year ahead and the financial foundations you might need for the upcoming term! Saving money whilst off university can really take the pressure off when the time comes to study instead of thinking about your bank balance.
Consider getting a summer job
Now this is an obvious one, but it is amazing the number of people who blink, and the summer has passed without them trying to earn any money. My advice would be to apply for jobs wherever you’re going to be spending summer BEFORE you leave, from adverts online such as Indeed. This way, you have the most amount of time to work once you settle back at home for summer. Having a job can also boost your CV in the long run, and may even result in a transfer if your business has a branch in Exeter!
Have a clear-out and sell what you don’t need!
If you are anything like me, you have a wardrobe full of clothes back at home which never get worn, or a bookshelf of novels which have been read and are gathering dust. The summer break is a perfect opportunity to sift through your belongings and be a little ruthless with yourself. You could then sell these online via Vinted, Depop or eBay, or go to a car boot sale local to you. This will both top up your savings account and declutter your life!
Have free fun
For many, having a break from uni over the summer means catching up with family and friends. As lovely as this is, sometimes spending on going out for food, drinks, shopping trips or cinema nights can really add up. Why not explore events in your local area for that long-overdue catch-up? There may be local festivals, exhibitions or sporting events which don’t have entry fees that you can have a great time at. Additionally, inviting your friends round for a bring-and-share dinner or games night is a great way to have a natter at an inexpensive price!
Volunteer at a festival
Wanting to attend a music festival but can’t justify the ticket spend? Why not be an asset to the festival and become a volunteer? For a few hours working at a ticket gate, at a bar or campaigning for a charity, you can bag yourself a ticket to see some amazing acts. Oxfam Volunteering has a wonderful, tried and tested scheme where workers get training, crew camping, meal vouchers and electricity. But most importantly, in your free time, you can experience the festival at its finest!
So, there’s no need to sacrifice a fun summer to save money; I definitely believe you can do both with some conscious efforts to be proactive with how you spend your time and what you spend on!