Being a student I’m used to not having much money but being an MA student (MA students are not entitled to a student loan but are still classed as being in full time education) has really made me evaluate my spending. Like most people with shopaholic tendencies, going without the occasional shopping trip is almost unbearable so I thought I’d share with you how I save and how I spend.
Savings – Making it possible. Every day I chuck my change into a jar then every few weeks I chuck as much money as I can afford in to a savings account then every few months I can go on a shopping trip or I can afford to splash out on an item I’ve had my eye on.
Economise – playing the waiting game. Poundland is amazing, so are local markets, own brands and charity shops. Try and use up things you already have before buying new stuff, this sound so obvious but I used to forget about how much I had and buy new products when I had a perfectly good version at home. Other habits I’ve formed include never paying full price for a haircut or a beauty treatment, I never eat out without a decent reason or a 2for1 offer. I walk everywhere possible because I begrudge paying expensive bus fare and I don’t leave home without a packed lunch and a bottle of water so I’m not paying for convenience food.
Prioritise – choosing your vice. I soon realised (in the first week of university) that if I want to be able to go shopping I have to make cut backs. I love magazines so I have subscriptions that save me money; I pay £12 a year for Cosmo and the same for Glamour. Subscription deals change all the time so you just have to keep your eyes peeled for a good offer. Obviously shopping is top of my priorities so sacrifices have to be made. I hardly ever go out. Empty calories, lack of sleep a hangover and wasted money – no thanks. I know this makes me sound boring but it’s my choice I love a night in with friends and the odd night out is great but once upon a time I used to go out a lot and thinking of the money I wasted still makes my stomach turn.
Treats – getting my fix. If you want something and you can afford it, even if you can only just afford it, I firmly believe it’s good to treat yourself! Withholding will just make you an angry bitter person – or maybe that’s just me!
What do you do the make your money last?
What do you treat your self with?
Great post, I used to be a nightmare with my magazine habit, I now do subscriptions only and have saved a fortune! Plus, you don't have the hassle of going to the newsagents to pick them up!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year...Claire xxx
good tips! I'm trying to use all my make up and toiletries and reworking my clothes before I buy anything new x
ReplyDeleteBeing an MA student is hard - I remember it well. I wasn't really in seminars that often [we had like 8 hours a week] but there was just so much work and reading to do that there wasn't the time to get a job to add extra cash. I swore by writing shopping lists and sticking to them and just trying to avoid walking past high street shops because I knew i'd want to pop in. I also refused to buy a lot of books [only the ones I really needed for my dissertations] and just maxed out the library.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your studies x
This is such a good post! I was so good when I was a student, I hardly bought anything (other than takeaways...) but now I am terrible! I buy so much crap it's unbelievable! I'm going to take your advice and try to save up for a big spend rather than just shopping when I'm bored!
ReplyDeleteI dread to think what I'll be like if I do go back to uni, definitely a shock to the system!
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Claire - They really do make it cheaper dont they makes me all happy when one falls through my door too. XX
ReplyDeleteGem - one of my new years resoloutions is to use up all my make up xxx
Rachael - Thank you so so much. Its loads harder than i ever envisaged but i'm sure ill do it in the end xx
Amy - I have a strange senseof entitelment that makesme sound like aspoilt bitch but when i want some thing i really rally want it and having to cut back its killing me. I miss me student load like you wouldnt beleive!x
sound advice! I really should re-evaluate my spending, I'm sure I could make further cutbacks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sophie make sure you alow your self enough to have fun XXXX :]
ReplyDeleteYou're thinking about money is exactly the same as mine! Definitely twinnys!!! xx
ReplyDeleteGreat post + advice!
ReplyDeleteAyeisha
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I've always been quite tight with money, I never buy anything at full price and certainly don't waste my money on things that don't have any value.
ReplyDeleteI think however little or much money you have, it isn't the be all and end all
Great tips xxx
What a great post! I might have to try making my own lunch like you mentioned! I've already got a flask to keep me away from Starbucks haha!! I still need to make cut backs, the subscriptions is a good tip. I've never really thought about what I could save!
ReplyDeleteLove J.