By Adeyemi Adisa - January, 23rd 2014
Student budget is very important, especially, if you are a college or university student. As a student, you know that you have a limited amount of money to live off of each semester.
If you receive financial aid, scholarships, or you work a part-time job, you have to make your money last.
Student Budgets Tips And Money Management
Budgeting has its challenges when you are living off of very limited resources. Typically, you will receive a large chunk of money and you will be responsible for managing your own money so that it lasts from the start of the semester to the finish.
If you are trying to avoid the end-of-semester crunch, there are ways to make your money last. Here are some tips to consider when you are creating a semester long budget:
Create A Detailed Budget And Stick With It
You need to know how much and how often you will be receiving income. If you have been awarded scholarships, financial aid, or you will be earning a bi-weekly check, write down how much many you will receive.
After you figure your income, make a list of all of the fixed costs you will have. This includes your tuition, your housing expenses, and utilities. You will then need to calculate your discretionary expenses. This includes the cost of food, books, course materials, clothing, laundry, entertainment, gas, or transportation.
Add both of the columns. Now you can determine just how much you might have left over or where you might need to limit yourself if your income is lower than your expenses.
Things You Can Do To Save Money
It is never easy to live off of a very limited amount of money. When your income is lower than your expenses, something has to give. You will have to find a way to either increase your income or lower your expenses.
Generally speaking, it is easier to lower your expenses when you are living a student life. If you are renting an apartment, look for room mates who will pay a portion of the rent and the utilities. This can save you a lot of money and make your money stretch further.
Another way to reduce your expenses is to reduce your entertainment fund. There are plenty of free activities at the college that will keep you entertained. Eating out can be expensive. If you want to try delicious foods, consider inviting your friends over for a pot luck. You can save money on food and try a ton of new meals.
It is possible to make it through your student career on a limited budget if you take the time to budget and manage your money. Always stick to your budget or you can quickly land yourself in hot water.
