Planning a budget is an interesting yet challenging occasion. Money-saving skills should be developed from an early age, and as people grow, they build on this mentality. College years are very costly. Students should pay for accommodation, studies, food, and spend extra money for other essential services. For instance, when a student often says, “Write my paper for me!” it is hard to keep the budget stable. Still, with a reliable specialist’s help, they can gain knowledge on any subject. So, what should newcomers do to increase their financial literacy? Let’s move forward to reveal it in our article!
1. Use public transport.
It is a known fact that living far away from the campus takes time and money. Actually, there are no challenges that can’t be solved. Simply reduce your taxi rides and see how the state of your bank account improves.
2. Buy fewer clothes.
During the pandemic, people review their wardrobes and refute irresponsible consumption. Reconsider this idea and see what you really can omit from your to-buy clothing list. If you like wearing brands, you can always find them in stock markets for a lower price without sacrificing quality.
3. Make DIY presents.
The time of useless statues from gift shops is gone! Think wisely and make a really unique present for your friend, family member, or colleague. When some presents from shops cost too high a price, they actually look cheap and are not applicable in real-life situations (like cards or statues). If you want your peer to pay attention to your gift, watch this masterclass and use at-hand materials to create something original.
4. Organize your spending.
Notice how easily you can make up your mind when your expenses are under control. For this purpose, it will be useful to add money-tracking apps that can help you manage your budget effortlessly. One of the most popular tools is Mint, which allows you to monitor your expenses simultaneously, so you start saving money. Improve your control over the budget and stay updated on any changes with your savings.
5. Reconsider your menu.
We aren’t calling for a healthy lifestyle, as it can be really expensive (actually, we are 😉 ), but you can exclude some products from your nutrition list. Remember that buying cheap products can come at a high price for your health. Make a list of fresh and necessary products you need for the day. Make sure not to buy fruits, vegetables, or dairy in advance to avoid throwing out spoiled food.
6. Stop lending money.
Some roommates or friends can manipulate your relationship to borrow some money. Don’t follow this progression because people often don’t give lent money back. Many special services provide credit support, so any person can borrow a sum and bring it back at a specific rate, as mentioned in the contract. Unfortunately, friends don’t make this contract, so the agreement is loose.
7. Manage your time.
The popular saying, “Time is money,” teaches us a really important abundance principle. In other words, free up your time from unnecessary activities to find extra hours for part-time work or other paid practice. Many students think college time is constant studying integrated with parties and fun, but this is not the entire truth. Make a list of what you believe is vital in your life and how you can rearrange your schedule. For this purpose, get a time-management app and input your routine to see the whole picture in one place and analyze it.
As you can see, these seven recommendations are united not only by the idea to make a student’s life more affordable but also ecologically friendly. When you are responsible for what you buy, you have less chance of harming the environment. Anyway, keep these seven rules for at least twenty-one days to create a positive habit in your life and see how your financial situation improves.
