As a student, it’s important to be smart with your budget. Below are practical tips for saving money without compromising your lifestyle.
- Take advantage of student discounts.
As a student, you have a kind of VIP status at many businesses. You can often get student discounts at cinemas, museums, restaurants and even the hairdresser. Always ask about it, even if it’s not clearly marked. It costs nothing to ask, but it can save you a lot in the long run. Always keep this student card in your pocket; no card means no discounts. - Grocery shopping? Stick to your list!
Everyone knows the feeling: you walk into the supermarket with a rattling stomach and suddenly there are 5 frozen pizzas, a bunch of snacks and noodles in your basket. The result? Too much food and not enough budget. Make sure you always go into the supermarket with a shopping list and that you have already eaten. That way you stick to your plan and within budget.
Student fact: A student on a diet is someone who lives on rice and pasta for a week because there is no money for anything else. - Cook with roommates.
Cooking together is not only cozy, it also saves you quite a bit of money. By sharing the cost, you can still eat delicious and healthy food on a limited budget. Plus, it also helps you bond with your roommates. To keep track of expenses, you and your roommates can create a group on splitwise. - Use deals and discount apps.
Instead of digging through all the flyers, use apps like Scoupy to find deals. These apps show you in an easy way where you can score the best deals. It not only saves you time, but also money! - Too good to go is your best friend!
Just had a tough day of classes and still want to treat yourself to an evening of sushi? Then use the app too good to go, which is an online marketplace for unsold food products. There are many restaurants in Leuven, which do not always sell their food on time. Unsold food is then placed on too good to go. Keep an eye on too good to go to make your wallet happy, and avoid food waste! - Buy used textbooks.
Buying textbooks can sometimes be a hassle, but fortunately you can find many books second-hand. Check platforms like 2dehands or ask acquaintances if they know anyone who has already used these books for his/her studies. - Plan a day without spending.
One of the most effective ways to be conscious of your money is to plan a “no-spend day.” This means spending 1 day a week on nothing at all. No coffee, no groceries, not even a bus ticket. These days force you to think about where your money is going. - Stay fit without an expensive gym membership.
As a student you want to stay in shape. Sportkot offers different sports activities at a cheaper price than elsewhere. You can also consider outdoor sports. Running or cycling are free and effective. By smartly choosing an alternative like Sporkot or exercising outside, you’ll keep your fitness up without breaking your budget.
Do you find these kinds of tips about being a student helpful? Then be sure to keep an eye on Studiôme‘s website for more blogs like this!
