latest in the forums

Uni on a budget how did you do it?

Students are notoriously known for not managing their finances for university as well as they’d first planned.

But are all students no-hopers when it comes to balancing budgets, or is it simply an old stereotype that needs shaking off?

I asked students who had left for pastures at universities across the country just how they budget their finances and what makes a good money manager.

BEN ADAMS
BSc (Hons) COMPUTER GAMES TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH

So Ben how do you stay on budget?
I worked loads over the summer so I had lots of money for when I got to university to play around with.

Have you made any big money mistakes since being at uni?
Well, I did put a deposit on a house I hadn’t seen.

What about your biggest extravagance of the year so far?
A pool table

And any big bargains for the year?
Buying people’s second hand games consoles. People sell them to make extra cash and I love gaming so it’s brilliant.

EMMA WALSHAW
MChem CHEMISTRY, OXFORD UNIVERSITY

How have you budgeted this year Emma?
I took a shopping list of all the things I needed to survive uni and stuck to it

I’m prone to walking past something thinking oooh that’s nice, I’ll have that

What’s been your biggest money mistake this year?
Buying things I don’t need. I’m prone to walking past something thinking oooh that’s nice, I’ll have that.

Have you had any big splurges and treated yourself this year?
Has to be my digital camera.

Did you manage to find any real budget bargains whilst at uni?
I did actually. It was an evening dress that cost a fiver! Always handy.

ADAM GAUNT
M.Eng ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

Adam, what’s your top tip for budgeting at university?
Buy your food in bulk and freeze it. It works out loads cheaper.

Have you experienced any big money disasters this year?
No not really.

Since you started university last year, have you been extravagant and overspent on anything?
A snowboarding trip. It was expensive but it was so worth it.

Any big bargains of the year so far?
The cheep booze at uni, always a winner.

HOLLY BRIDGES
Bsc/Ba GEOGRAPHY, BATH SPA UNIVERSITY

So Holly what would you recommend to new students on how to budget?
Working out how much you’ve got at the start of the year, per week and (attempt) to stick to that. Include all your going out/food/travel.

Had any big money mistakes since being at uni?
Nearly lost £300 each on what we thought was a security deposit on the house we wanted and found out (luckily before we signed!) that was just the admin costs, a further £400 was required for the deposit.

Have you overspent of had any big extravagances since being at uni?
Way too many clothes that I don’t really need.

What’s been your biggest bargain financially for you at university this year?
Accommodation, although it wasn’t on campus for my first year, it provided the nicest living space of all that was on offer and much closer to town than the Uni.

Sophie Webb
Southampton Solent University