Practical Money Management Tips for Post-Secondary Students

Post-secondary students are faced with competing priorities – classes, exams, papers, family commitments, work and life, just to name a few. For many, there just isn’t time left over to manage their finances. However, creating a budget is essential to making student life a little less stressful. Here are some of the best budgeting tips, money management ideas and information about how to get more help for post-secondary students of all ages:

8 Money Management Tips to Help Students Budget Better

Create a realistic budget that also gives you a little money for fun… yes, fun! Review it each month to make sure you stay on track and have time to adjust it as needed.
If you are using student loans or have enough money saved to get you through, set it all aside in a separate savings account. Then every two weeks, based on your budget, pay yourself what you need to live. Writing your own pay cheque helps you manage your money so that you have what you need. This is called the holding account method and is one great way to budget with irregular income.
Needs are more important than wants. If you aren’t sure which is which, live without it and see if you can manage.
Look for ways to cut down on your expenses; e.g. scale your cell phone features back, avoid eating out more than necessary, watch your transportation costs. It all adds up and every little bit counts.
Work on campus to save time and money… not to mention the resume boost it can be!
Track where you spend your money and watch for patterns. A little here and there can add up when you least expect it.
Avoid credit that you can’t afford. Putting small items on credit cards repeatedly can add as much as 50% to the cost of the items once interest and fees are added on.
Do not commit to long-term contracts while you are studying. So many things can change while you are a student; you don’t want to tie yourself down unnecessarily.

Lifestyle Choices Impact Your Budget and Goals

Be realistic about your current circumstances. As a student, you might not be able to live the life-style of your dreams right now. That’s okay… and your education will get you there faster!
Spend more time with students who are as committed to studying and being at school as you are. It will help you stay focused on completing your education successfully.
Prioritize your goals – personal, academic and financial. Having a realistic plan for what is important to you, keeps you on track and helps you manage stressful times more effectively.

Consider living at home if that is an option for you. While it may be your dream to be out on your own, waiting until you’re done school doesn’t mean you abandon your dream… it’s just on hold until you can achieve that dream without it becoming a nightmare.
If you think you can afford an increase in your expenses, try living that way now and save the difference. If it’s tough to live with the tighter budget, you’ve learned a valuable lesson before it’s too late.
Pursue what you’re passionate about – it’s easier to work hard through the stressful times when you’re striving for what you really want!

3 Ways Post-Secondary Students Can Get Help Sooner Than Later

Here are some quick tips for you to explore to ensure you get some financial assistance before it’s too late.

Financial Aid & Awards: Your school’s financial aid department is happy to help you. Make yourself an appointment and carefully consider what they suggest. A lot of students avoid the financial aid department because they don’t realize how much they can help. Don’t be afraid to go see them or check them out on your school’s website. They are a wealth of knowledge about all things financial for school.

Academic Advisors: Academic advisors are another amazing resource – take advantage of their expertise. You may save money on courses in the long run and meet your goals sooner!

School Counsellors: If you are struggling, know that you aren’t the first student to have trouble managing all of the competing demands on your time and energy. Being a student can be really hard at times. Ask for help from the counselling department before you feel too overwhelmed.

Bonus Tip! If you need help creating a budget or dealing with debt, our credit counsellors are happy to help you for free! Contact us now to ask some questions or make an appointment.

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