Your budgeting checklist
Now would be a great time to start putting your student budget together. Here's a comprehensive checklist to help you get started:
Food:
Estimate your monthly grocery expenses and allocate funds for eating out or ordering food occasionally.
Transportation:
Account for transportation costs, such as public transportation fees. Keep an eye out for student travel cards on bus and rail to make savings.
Books and supplies:
Budget for textbooks, notebooks, stationery, and any other supplies required for your courses.
Technology:
Include expenses for a laptop and other tech-related needs for academic purposes.
Personal expenses:
Allocate funds for personal items like clothing, toiletries, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Entertainment and leisure:
Set aside a reasonable amount for entertainment, socialising, and leisure activities to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Course materials:
Budget for additional school-related expenses, course materials, and any equipment specific to your university course.
Mobile phone:
Include costs for your mobile phone plan if you're responsible for these expenses.
Laundry and cleaning supplies:
Consider the cost of laundry services or detergent and cleaning supplies if you're living independently.
Health and wellbeing:
If you plan to use a gym or participate in recreational activities, allocate funds accordingly.
Budget tracking:
Use budgeting apps or tools to track your spending and ensure you stay within your allocated amounts for each category.