Budgeting for the Year Ahead at University | Finance Fox

We?re in the period of time where both new and returning students are getting itchy feet, waiting around the house until the day that they can move to University and see all of their friends, flat mates and collect their timetables for the year. For the new students, it?s also a time of compiling a mountain of ?essentials? to get them through the year which of course, includes numerous pieces of technology to help them keep in touch, get their work done, and relax.

But all of the latest technology comes with a hefty price tag ? and we all know how it?s just unthinkable to have something even a matter of months out of date! Technology is always evolving, as are the trends, and it?s just as hard to work out which smartphone or tablet computer to have as it is to establish what shoes are in fashion and which tops would be seen in Milan and New York as well as your student union in Lincoln!

It?s inevitable in the first few weeks at a new place, in a new house with new people, that you?ll want to make an impression. Whether it?s with your sense of humour, your fashion, or your gadgets, but it?s also important that you learn how to budget for the year ahead. After all, the student loan only goes so far and if you spend too much time in the electrical store or on-campus bar, you?ll soon find yourself begging the bank of mum and dad for a loan, which is never nice and comes with the obvious repercussions once you get home for the weekend or holiday!

The first tip for budgeting for Uni is to ensure that you get only what you know you?ll NEED for the months ahead. You?re obviously going to require a laptop and a colour laser printer ideally to print out your essays and projects ? presentation is as important as the content itself. The key here is to look at what suits your requirements best. It?s alright going out and buying a laptop or printer that has every feature ever created, but if you?re unlikely to use them, you?re paying too much. Look for features that you know you?ll use and set yourself a budget. If you can get a laptop for ?600 that has all the features of the latest, all-singing all-dancing version that is priced at more than ?1,000, then the cheaper one is your option.

You?ll also need the home comforts, bedding and pillowcases for example. This doesn?t come cheap when you have to buy the full set ? and you?ll want more than one! Searching the house for spare or unused sets is a great way of making a saving here. If like many families you?ve kept spare bedding for ?emergencies? or ?just in case?, evaluate whether or not you really need to keep them or if you can take them off to Uni with you. Another substantial saving.

A third tip relates to your essential reading list. You?ll find that either before the start of your course or at your introduction lecture during Fresher?s Week that you?ll be given an essential reading list ? all of the books that the tutors think you could benefit from reading either before the start of your course or over the duration. Unfortunately textbooks aren?t cheap either, especially brand new, but many students will have put their no longer required books on online shopping sites that could enable you to pick up a second-hand version at a bargain price. Who doesn?t love a bargain!

If you can make any savings during the year at Uni then you have a number of options at the end of the year if you find that you?ve got some of your money left. Either option a ? you look at paying off some of your overdraft or owings; b ? you put some towards next year?s accommodation and studies; or c ? you reward yourself with one last night out before heading home!

Source: http://www.financefox.co.uk/budgeting-for-the-year-ahead-at-university/

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