Although you’d be forgiven to be buried in your financial records, it’s time for you to analyze how you’re handling your budget. Do you have an established budget? Or do you find yourself spending on the going?
Cost of university is prohibitive and there are endless possibilities to use your hard earned money or pay for student loans. If you make a few small adjustments today, you can cut back a considerable amount of money in the long run.
Budgeting
Planning a monthly budget is the first step to being on top of your financial situation. Budgeting provides a comprehensive understanding of your money making it easier to make informed spending and saving decisions. It can help reduce the amount of money you owe when you graduate, because trust me, you don’t want to walk into the world with a debt of $30,000.
1. CONCRETE A BUDGET
Make a chart and compare your income and expenses for the next year. Are you making the right decision (income higher than expenses)? Great! Make sure you’re saving money each month.
If you’re struggling to make ends meet (expenses exceed income) You’ll need to consider ways to cut down on your expenditure or increase what you’re earning each month.
Explore the UBC’s Financial Planning page to access useful budgeting resources including a budgeting basic worksheet and an expense planner. Additionally, there’s an online cost calculator which you can use.
2.Read here article At our site Track your spending
Write down every purchase that you make or use a budget app such as Mint, Wally, Mvelopes, or Goodbudget. The simple act of recording what you spend can help you recognize patterns, help you become more aware of the place your money is going and also help you decide the need for a change.
3. DIFFERENTIATE “NEEDS” from “WANTS’
While it is an obvious thing to do one could be made, you’d be shocked by the ability we have to rationalize the rationale behind certain purchases. Affording only what you really need will give you greater flexibility in the long run.
4. Stick to your budget
Setting up a budget is an easy part. The next step is to bring it into effect. Keep in mind that a plan cannot be fixed forever. thing. Actually, it is intended to be dynamic. This means that it is updated when circumstances occur to change.
School
Costs of college are high, and expenses can mount up especially in the months of December and January when tuition is due and students have to purchase books for your class. By making smart choices and working a little extra effort, you’ll reduce the effect of these major costs on your wallet.
5. Take a look at the opportunities for free money!
While we’re all aware that money isn’t a tree (#SAD! ) But there’s plenty of options to get it for free.
Consider applying for scholarships, awards or bursaries. A lot of scholarships don’t receive many applications, therefore it’s worth putting in the effort and trying to get it.
6. ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW YOU spend your money on school.
Don’t pay for costs for housing or tuition with credit cards because the 1.75 percentage fee is added in addition to your total. For a tuition payment of $3,000, that’s an additional $30 in lost.
Choose another method of payment like a bank transfer or cheque. Visit this page Paying Tuition section to find out more about payment options.
7. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MEAL PLAN DOLLARS
If you’re staying in a residence and you have food plans, the ideal option is to use your meal plan’s basic funds to go to the in-residence dining halls. In this way, you’ll receive a discount of 25% for every purchase.
Additionally, you can get the benefit of a discount of 5% when using your flex bucks to purchase food at UBC Food Services locations.
8. SAVE MONEY ON TEXTBOOKS
Purchase second-hand textbooks donated by former students via Craigslist, Kijiji, or Facebook groups such as UBC Used Textbooks.
The UBC Bookstore even has a rental program that is available for some books. Also, don’t forget to go to Amazon for deals.
9. SELL YOUR TEXTBOOKS
Once you’ve completed a textbook, return it and donate it back to UBC Bookstore or Discount Textbooks you can also try to find someone else who might need the book.
Food/Grocery
In addition to rent, the biggest monthly expense is probably food. Although having a meal out almost every night is the most convenient choice, it’s also expensive. Adopting a self-help approach to food consumption is an effective approach to both save money as well as improve your cooking skills.
10. COOK AT HOME
Limiting how often you dine out during the month could save you massive amounts of money. Make large meals at home and then put the rest in Tupperware containers. Take the leftovers to school, and then heat them up to save money for meals.
There are microwaves all around campus. So there’s nothing to worry about. Check out this handy map as a good place to start to find the nearest microwave to you.
11. BUY IN BULK
Shopping in bulk can help you maximize the value from each purchase. Go on grocery shopping with your people you know and buy family packs. Sort food items in plastic bags and then place food items in freezers for later.
12. Plan YOUR MEALS
If you’ve planned your meals planned for the week, the exact ingredients you’ll need to purchase. You can make a shopping list, and then shop smartly. Buy only what you really need. This helps in reducing the amount of food at the end of the week.
13. CONCRETE YOUR OWN COFFEE
If you buy a every day coffee at three dollars for a cup you will cost you $600 over the school year. Yes, I said $600.
Instead, you can purchase more coffee beans. Then, make your own. You can purchase a travel-sized mug and bring it along to your school to keep your coffee warm.
14. COUPONS, COUPONSand COUPONS
Find all coupons you can, and use them to cut down your grocery expense.
Shopping
In the culture of consumption of ours, it’s very tempting to be enticed by the words of Arcade Fire–everything now. The challenge is to resist the urge to spend recklessly is the most efficient way to save money.
However it’s impossible to avoid purchasing certain items. So when you do need to spendmoney, you should take steps to cut down on the amount you’re dishing out.
15. Refrain from in IMPULSE BUILDINGS
This should be reiterated: distinguish between the items you need as opposed to the things you desire. If you decide to purchase a “want look at your budget first . See the amount you’ll be able to spend.
Don’t purchase instantaneously without thinking about the consequences.
16. SHOP AT DISCOUNT STORES
A visit to the dollar shop should always be your first stop when you’re looking for household items, school supplies and more. Thrift stores are excellent for secondhand clothing , and Vancouver’s got a large selection of them.
For a start, go to these stores: the Salvation Army in Kits, F As In Frank on Main Street, Community Thrift and Vintage in Gastown or you can visit the Wildlife Thrift Store on Granville Street.
17. BUY GENERIC PRODUCTS, AVOID NAME BRANDS
This is pretty straightforward. Whatever it is: food, medicine items, toiletries or household items, go with the less expensive generic alternatives instead of the top-of-the-line name brands.
If you are shopping at the grocery store purchase the brand you trust. The $1 or $2 you save in time.
18. ASK the school about student discounts
Many stores offer discounts for students, discounts for students are not always advertised. Don’t be shy to inquire about it with the store’s staff. Be prepared with your student card. Request it and (sometimes) you’ll get.
Entertainment
Social activities and extracurricular life are essential to make your university experience enjoyable. The most difficult thing is figuring out how you can enjoy yourself without breaking the money.
19. Make sure you select activities for your social life that won’t COIN MONEY
Enjoy cycling, hiking, sightseeing, or take strolls in the park. Things that take advantage of the nature’s closeness to Vancouver are ideal. Here’s a list the top 25 free things to do in Vancouver.
20. SAVE MONEY ON UBC CAMPUS ATTRACTIONS
As a UBC student, you get free access or significant discounts at entry into a number of UBC institutions, including UBC Aquatic Centre, the UBC Aquatic Centre, the ARC and Birdcoop Fitness Centres, the Museum of Anthropology, the Nitobe Memorial Garden, and the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery.
21. CONNECT WITH A CLUB
Universities are great ways for students to be involved and socialize with fellow students. There are literally many clubs available at UBC and they’re always hosting social gatherings.
Visit the AMS website to see a complete list of available clubs.
Do not be afraid to reach for assistance
Oft, students do not reach in to helpers who could assist them until it’s for them and they’re in financial difficulties. Don’t do this. If you’re struggling for money you can ask people near you to ask for help. Contact your family. You can ask your parents and grandparents for money or to grant you the loan.
You can also contact you Enrolment Services Advisor to get advice on what to do. ES Advisors can help you develop a budget and create a effective plan to alleviate your financial stress.