College years already represent a period full of news and unforgettable experiences, don’t they? There are many discoveries, new leanings, new friends, but also new expenses.
And here we are not just talking about tuition — one of the major reasons for concern for the budget of those who enter private educational institutions. There are also expenses with books, photocopies of support materials sent by professors, transportation or even housing, for those who chose a college far from home.
We know that at first glance it may seem like a very challenging scenario, but no need to worry, okay? In today’s post, we’re going to give you 6 great tips for you to organize your education expenses and ensure that all expenses will fit in your pocket with peace of mind and without tightness. Check out!
1. Know your financial life in depth
The first step in organizing your expenses is to have prior knowledge of the resources you have and, from there, establish a more realistic forecast of how much you will be able to spend in the future.
A good suggestion is to build a detailed financial control spreadsheet and put all your income, such as salary, parental allowance or scholarships, and expenses, such as rent, transport, electricity, water, telephone and internet for check that your budget is in balance.
Here, it is also important to include minor expenses that are out of the budget, but that will certainly make all the difference at the end of the month, such as happy hours on Fridays, the ticket to the cinema at the weekend, the purchase of books for your course or that last minute xerox to complement your study material.
2. Reduce your costs
Decreasing your spending is one of the basic secrets to gaining greater control over your financial organization . However, that doesn’t mean you have to drop out of college or stop going out with friends, okay?
Through very simple attitudes, it is possible to eliminate some day-to-day expenses that, at the end of the month, could make all the difference in your bills. See some examples:
- if you live close to the college, try walking or cycling instead of using the car or public transport;
- another alternative is to organize a carpool rotation with colleagues who live close to you;
- try to reduce energy, water and telephone consumption;
- avoid making impulse purchases and create the habit of researching the best prices;
- instead of having lunch out in restaurants or snack bars, take food from home or take advantage of the more affordable prices on the university tray;
- find out in advance the books required by your course to try to find them in used bookstores or guarantee the reservation of a copy in the library of your educational institution;
- set a limit on parties and ballads during the month, promote more meetings with friends at home and keep an eye on free activities in your city that, in addition to representing a different program, still help you save money.
3. Apply for Scholarship and Student Finance Programs
Taking advantage of the opportunities offered by your own educational institution can also be a great alternative to guarantee a break in your budget.
If you opt for a private college, you can find good alternatives to pay for tuition, such as scholarships offered by ProUni or student loans , such as FIES and PRAVALER, which make it possible to pay tuition in installments with very affordable interest rates.
And, if you enter a public university, you can apply for scholarships offered by scientific initiation projects or sports programs and artistic groups that, in addition to adding positive points to your curriculum, still guarantee you extra money at the end of the month.
4. Take advantage of available technological resources
Nowadays, there are great tools that can help you organize your expenses in a simpler and more practical way.
Through financial management applications, you can record all your income and expenses and control cash outflows and inflows with just one click, directly on your cell phone or tablet.
And when it comes to purchasing your books or other materials needed for your course, the internet can also be an excellent tool to search for the best prices and compare the prices and purchase benefits offered by stores.
5. Have a reserve for emergencies
We know that unforeseen events happen and we are not always financially prepared to deal with these situations. Therefore, having a plan B to cover extra expenses such as home repairs or even participation in important events for your career is a very important part of your financial planning.
Here, a good suggestion is to separate a monthly amount from your income and choose a financial investment modality that fits your needs at the moment.
Thus, you do not run the risk of spending that money throughout the month and guarantee a safe reserve fund for possible emergencies.
6. Look for other sources of income
After giving you some tips on how to control your expenses, let’s show you some alternatives that will help you achieve financial independence and keep your budget in balance during your college life:
Stages
Even though it is not a requirement for completing your degree, an internship is an excellent opportunity to enter the job market, get to know the day-to-day of your profession in practice and, of course, be able to pay the bills.
part-time jobs
Many companies offer part-time positions, allowing you to combine work with studies, in addition to experiencing the corporate environment and interacting with other professionals.
Other activities
Activities such as selling homemade sweets, accessories or cosmetics through catalogs can be excellent alternatives to supplement your income and also bring you a little closer to your college colleagues.
Now that you’ve reached the end of this post and are already on top of all the necessary tips to organize your education expenses in a more practical and peaceful way, subscribe to our newsletter and check out other super interesting subjects about careers and the university world!