#studentmoney

University life is exciting, but money stress can hit fast if you do not have a simple plan. I put together a super practical guide for students starting uni, with 7 money rules that help you stay on top of rent, food shops, nights out, and everything in between.

Read the full post here: https://budgetkin.com/7-smart-money-rules-for-students-starting-university/

If you want a little extra BudgetKin support, these posts fit perfectly with it:

How to build a simple budget you can actually stick to, even with a student loan or part time pay. https://budgetkin.com/how-to-create-a-simple-family-budget-in-5-easy-steps/

Easy ways to stretch your cash and stop the mid term broke feeling. https://budgetkin.com/10-savvy-budgeting-hacks-to-stretch-your-paycheck/

A step by step guide to starting an emergency fund, even if it is small. https://budgetkin.com/building-an-emergency-fund-7-step-by-step-guide/

It can be so easy to get caught up in the bargain bullying of seasonal deals.  But how much are you saving really?  Research from consumer group Which? found that only 4 of 83 of the items checked were cheaper on Black Friday than at other times of year. Literally a case of don’t believe the hype. (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/nov/26/black-friday-uk-discounts-genuine-which)

Besides, seasonal cheer needn’t be about buying “stuff”.  There’s no denying the joy of presenting a loved one with a gift, but it doesn’t need to break your already fragile bank account.  Why not consider these purse-friendly alternatives:

-          Secret Santa – this doesn’t have to be restricted to the workplace, you can extend the concept to friends and family.  Nobody, literally nobody, wants to spend a fortune on overpriced, seasonal goods just cos it’s the thing to do.  So why not, as a group, choose a name from a hat, set yourself a spending limit and buy that person a gift. That way, everyone gets something to open, without forking out on several Lynx gift sets and Yankee candles.

-          No buy pact – my siblings and friends have done this for years.  What is buying presents to exchange really?  Just running unnecessary errands.  In my experience, people are grateful not to have to think about another thing to buy or person to consider.  It may initially sound a little “bah humbug”, but you’ll be offering the best gift of all – zero obligation!

-          Make gifts – don’t panic, there’s no need to get all Kirstie Allsop on this.  You can keep it simple.  Make a cake, bake bread, paint a picture, write a limerick, make a Spotify playlist….the options are endless, even without being a master craftsperson.

-          Don’t get bored with board games – why not, as family or group, invest in spending time together by simply buying a board game each.  They can be reasonably priced and will provide hours of fun!

Spring has finally sprung.  The time of new beginnings - brighter mornings, buds on the trees - like the world is re-awakening.  You naturally have the compulsion to start a-new.  And with exams just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to cleanse your mind….by cleaning your room.  

 It is fact that a big spring clean-style sort out is good for your health:

 - Clearing clutter reduces stress and anxiety - and you really don’t need extra stress just because of a pile of clothes 

 - You literally breathe better - blasting those dust balls does wonders for your lungs 

 - It’s cardio!  Moving that furniture to vaccuum underneath gets you that full body workout 

 - Making your bed means better sleep.  Add cleans sheets to the mix and you’re 75% more likely to get a good night’s sleep.  Laundry = lie-ins, who knew??

 Thing is, you might be looking around your room thinking “where do I even start?”  That’s why I’m here, to give you some ideas to get you moving. And what’s more, my Spring Clean is all green -  Spring Green, geddit?  Anyways, let’s begin.

Clothes - How do we do it?  How do we accumulate so much in such a short period?  I guarantee there are items that never see the light of day.  So, what to do with them?  Get Swishing!  I beg your pardon I hear you say!  Swishing is simply a big clothes swap.  Whether you get just your housemates/friends involved, or organise something on a larger scale, everybody brings clothes they no longer want and you shop each other’s wears...for free!  Reusing and recycling what would ordinarily go to landfill could save 39 million tonnes of carbon!  Keep an eye out for Swishing events that could be coming to @campuslifesu

Books - If like me, you feel your course books are a millstone around your neck, and literally one on your back, then there are no sentimental feelings to getting rid!  But rather than simply throwing them away, think about those coming up behind you who need them?  Academic books are staggeringly expensive.  And many students stress before they’ve even begun because of the sheer cost of starting.  So why not sell your books and a reduced rate?  You can set up an event or selling page on Facebook and pass on those books at a more manageable cost.  And why not write a little statement of encouragement inside for the next person?

Food - It’s always the same when it comes to cleaning the communal kitchen - endless unopened tins and packets.  When and why did we buy tinned rhubarb??  It goes without saying that any unopened non-perishables (also toiletries and cleaning products) should always go to the local homeless shelter or foodbank. Foodbank collections are available in many supermarkets, but also check with @campuslifesu and Swansea University Student’s Union for collections on campus. As with your perishables, make full use of your food bins.  If there is too much, contact your accommodation office who will advise where the nearest compost waste is located.  And when all that is done you’re usually left with frozen goods. Foodbanks won’t take them and they aren’t fit for disposal yet, so what to do?  Well, when in doubt, have a party!  Gather everyone around and cook up a storm!  You can provide your friends with a veritable feast of surprises!  A handful of popcorn chicken, a Linda McCartney vol-au-vont and a cider lolly were meant to be together!

Household/kitchen items - Plates, glasses, pots, pans...are you really taking this stuff home if you’re returning to an established household?  Unlikely.  So if not, pass it on.  Swansea University run a campaign Donate, Don’t Ditch, encouraging students to donate their kitchen and household goods and appliances that can then be passed on during arrivals week to anybody who needs them.  This will be the campaign’s third year and each year it is getting bigger, but the need for the items does not wane - everything goes.  So do your bit to help those who aren’t able to come with the proverbial kitchen sink, it really makes a difference to both people and the planet.

Eat Richer – my campaign to get you eater better and for less.  And why not start with Pancake Day.  A bit of history – Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up the eggs and fat in the pantry before folk embarked on their fast for Lent.  

 Now pancakes are epic, there’s no getting away from that.  So if you have eggs and flour that needs using and you decide to have stacks and stacks of them, then who can blame you?!  But for those who want more from their basic batter then look no further.

 I have found delicious alternatives to pancakes that will cost pennies.  Whether you’re going old school and mixing yourself or have bought too much of the ready-made mix, there are plenty of ways not to waste.

Pizza Muffins – two of my favourite things combined so this was always going to be given a whirl!  https://tasty.co/recipe/pizza-muffins

Quesadilla Pancakes – The wonderful thing about quesadillas is that you can make up any filling.  So be creative and just use what you have in your fridge – there are no rules! https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/quesadilla-pancakes

Jaffa Cake pancakes – I never used to be a lover of Jaffa Cakes, but my these are a treat.  https://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/jaffa-cake-pancakes

These are just a few ideas, but there are soooo many other ideas out there, a few websites below. 

https://tasty.co/compilation/4-recipes-using-pancake-mix 

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-make-leftover-pancake-batter

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-make-leftover-pancake-batter

It’s that time again. Do-gooders and high-achievers bombarding our insta feeds with their resolutions, helped along with their paid promos for that pyramid scheme or fat-reducing pond water.  Yes, you say you’re going to get a more abs in 2019, but you’re a fitness model Gary, it’s literally your job.

Us mere mortals then find ourselves falling into the trap of proclaiming to the world our goals – which, as we haven’t thought them through, puts us in the position of public humiliation when we bail a few days in.  Veganuary anyone?

However, the start of a new year can be a perfect time for self-reflection.  What things in your control affected you negatively in 2018? How can you change them for 2019? Did you leave assignments late and unplanned?  Or did you succumb so much to your studies that you neglected your self-care?  Did you budget to within an inch of your life, living like a reclusive spider?   Or did you spend all your first loan payment during the first few weeks so you spent the last two months playing catch up?

If you nodded vigorously at the final question, you are not alone.  The 2018 survey from savethestudent.org reported that 78% of students worry about making ends meet, with 61% stating their loan did not stretch far enough.  The good news is, making small changes to your budgeting plan can only produce positive results, leaving you with more money in your pocket without drastically changing your life.

For example, cannot function without your daily takeaway coffee?  Then consider this, £3 a day on coffee equates to £1095 over the year.  That’s a lot of cash on hot milk and ground beans. This could be even more if your order contains far too many words; “a grande decaff soy sugar-free caramel macc with an extra shot please”.  Yup, that was me.  And my coffee was costing me £4.35 a day.  I made the decision to buy myself a bamboo takeaway cup (£6.95), a coffee frother (£1) and syrups (£8.50) saving myself up to £1571.30 over the year!  My homemade coffee is far tastier and I am now doing an extra bit to reduce waste. I am saving the planet and my purse.

Another thing to you can try is a weekly “no spend” day.  This seems fairly straightforward, but with contactless, you will be surprised at how easily these small amounts add up significantly over the year. Based on figures from savethestudent.org, students spend on average £770 a month, which is £25.32 a day.  So reducing your spending by just one day a week can put £1316.64 back in your pocket.  It also does wonders psychologically, allowing you the space to practice taking a step back and think “do I really need this?”  

There are so many more small changes you can try:

-the 1p Savings Challenge. On day one you save 1p, day two you save 2p and so on until you get to day 365 and find you have saved £650!

-walk or cycle when you can. You will be reducing your carbon footprint, reducing your transport and gym costs and reducing your waistline! Result!  You can get good quality bikes from Re-Cycle Swansea www.re-cyclesouthwales.wordpress.com, they also offer a volunteer scheme where you can learn how to fix a bike for free.

-Flatmate Food Rota. I know the word “rota” makes you want to throw up a little, especially given a student’s life is so heavily governed by dates, but hear me out.  If you live in a house with five people for example, you each have to cook the household a meal once a weekday.  Club together for the weekly shop to cover this and boom, you have a chef for four days out of the working week and you all will have saved money by not succumbing to daily food shopping.