All students have experienced a struggle for cash at some stage or another. Here are a few tips to ease the strain on your wallet!
- Buy in bulk. Often, grocery items such as meat, long life milk, eggs and sugar are much cheaper if bought in large quantities. You can freeze perishables in useable portions.
- Take advantage of specials. Make a note to check out all the deals at your local restaurants, bars, and supermarkets – you never know when you could find a real bargain.
- Pack your lunch. Spending money on your meals at campus every day can really add up! Buy yourself a funky lunchbox and make something delicious with what you have at home.
- Get crafty. Have an awesome skill, hobby or talent – brainstorm how you could perhaps make a little money from it!
- Put extra money away. Open an interest-accumulating savings account and deposit any extra cash into it, rather than spending it on the fly.
- Set your budget. At the beginning of the month, allocate your budget for food, stationery/textbooks, petrol, electricity and other necessities. This will give you an indication of how much flexibility you have for entertainment and small luxuries.
- Be ATM smart. You’re more likely to spend cash if you have it on you! Draw only as much as you need from an ATM to prevent impulse buying.