{"id":27328,"date":"2025-02-19T10:35:47","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T09:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/?p=27328"},"modified":"2025-02-19T10:36:51","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T09:36:51","slug":"how-i-budget-as-a-student","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/2025\/02\/19\/how-i-budget-as-a-student\/","title":{"rendered":"How I budget as a student"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Saving money as a student and keeping to a budget can be difficult. Over the last few years, I have had to learn how to budget with a student lifestyle. After three years of trial and error, the following tips showcase how I budget as a uni student. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Setting a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">weekly budget<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> allows you to know how much you can spend each week and prevents you from going into your overdraft. Once you have your student finances, you can determine how much you have left to spend each week (after deducting necessities such as rent and bills). Keeping this information in a spreadsheet allows you to hold yourself accountable and understand how much money you have for each aspect of your life (i.e. rent, bills, weekly food shopping, going out, and additional purchases).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The best budgeting tactic\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I started using during university is having a <strong>designated bank account\u00a0<\/strong>where I transfer my weekly budget each week. This allows me to monitor how much I\u2019m spending as I can see it deducted from my weekly budget. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27331 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/files\/2025\/02\/IMG_5330-241x300.jpeg\" alt=\"Dinner table with food for faijitas. Showing a meal with flatmates\" width=\"169\" height=\"211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/files\/2025\/02\/IMG_5330-241x300.jpeg 241w, https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/files\/2025\/02\/IMG_5330-822x1024.jpeg 822w, https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/files\/2025\/02\/IMG_5330-768x957.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/files\/2025\/02\/IMG_5330.jpeg 963w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px\" \/><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is so easy to get distracted in the supermarket. By creating a weekly <strong>shopping list,\u00a0<\/strong>you know exactly what you need and tend not to buy anything additional.\u00a0This tip allows me to spend the same amount each week on food, keeping me within my budget. Consider also sharing a food shop with your flatmates and <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">cooking meals together<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Whenever I want to buy a new item of clothing, I always look on Depop or Vinted. <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shopping second-hand<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> has saved me so much money as you will get the same item of clothing so much cheaper.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you spend most of your money on a night out, try <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a night in at home<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> with friends to save money rather than going to the pub for drinks. My friends and I love using cards and other games. <\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Consider having a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">part-time job<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. This allows flexibility within your budget as you have more income. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/files\/2025\/02\/IMG_0954.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27330 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/files\/2025\/02\/IMG_0954-225x300.jpeg\" alt=\"In a coffee shop. Headphone and coffee on table with ipad playing music. \" width=\"167\" height=\"223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/files\/2025\/02\/IMG_0954-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/files\/2025\/02\/IMG_0954-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/files\/2025\/02\/IMG_0954.jpeg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 167px) 100vw, 167px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you know you will be at uni all day, making a <strong>packed lunch<\/strong> can save you money and help you stick to your weekly budget. As I have learned from experience, buying meal deals at uni adds up. Additionally, investing in a flask means bringing your homemade coffee instead of buying one. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Make sure to get the most out of <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">student discounts<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Check UniDays and Student Beans to see what offers they have. You can also check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.subu.org.uk\/social\/offersanddiscounts\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">SUBU\u2019s student offers.<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Try implementing these budgeting tips into your lifestyle and see how much<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">you save whilst sticking to your budget. \u00a0If you\u2019re struggling financially<\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px;padding: 0px\">, contact\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.subu.org.uk\/support\/advice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SUBU for <\/a><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.subu.org.uk\/support\/advice\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">advice<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> on how they can help you.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Saving money as a student and keeping to a budget can be difficult. Over the last few years, I have had to learn how to budget with a student lifestyle. After three years of trial and error, the following tips showcase how I budget as a uni student. \u00a0 Setting a weekly budget allows you&#8230;  <a class=\"excerpt-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/2025\/02\/19\/how-i-budget-as-a-student\/\">Read more &raquo;<span class=\"sr-only\"> about How I budget as a student<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3681,"featured_media":27329,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,704,1649],"tags":[3309,2561,184],"class_list":["post-27328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-blogs","category-student-life","category-top-tips","tag-studentbudget","tag-financial-support","tag-top-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3681"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27328"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27328\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27345,"href":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27328\/revisions\/27345"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/student-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}