“Penny saved is a penny earned,” the old saying is always true. Even when you are a student, learning how students save money not only helps you have extra money to spend but also forms healthy financial habits for the future. So how to save effectively with your limited budget? Don’t worry, this article will give you some “tips”!
1. Create a Reasonable Spending Plan
“Save for a rainy day,” before you want to save, you need to know what you are spending on. Take time to record your daily income and expenses, from breakfast money, buying school supplies to unexpected expenses. Financial expert Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, in her book “Teaching Children to Get Rich Early” said: “Tracking cash flow will help you realize which expenses are necessary, which expenses are unreasonable and need to be adjusted.”
2. “Bring your own food” – Prepare your own meals
Instead of snacking and buying ready-made food at high prices, why not try preparing your own lunch and afternoon snacks from home? A delicious and nutritious lunch box made by yourself not only helps you save a considerable amount but also ensures food safety and hygiene. Moreover, this is also a way to show your responsibility and dexterity!
3. Hunt for Deals and Promotions
Students often have many attractive offers, from discounts on movie tickets, amusement park entrance tickets to shopping promotions. Take advantage of this to “both play and learn”, have interesting experiences while still saving a considerable amount.
4. Find Additional Income Sources
In addition to studying, you can look for part-time jobs suitable for your age such as tutoring, selling online, making handmade items… Income from these jobs may not be much, but it will help you cover living expenses and gain valuable practical experience.
5. “Waste not, want not” – Fully Utilize School Supplies
Instead of buying new textbooks and school supplies, reuse old items that are still usable. A notebook can be used on the back to take notes, a pencil can be sharpened to continue using. You can also exchange old textbooks and school supplies with friends to save costs.
6. Choose Economical Entertainment Options
You can invite friends to ways to study abroad in Japan organize outdoor picnics, participate in meaningful volunteer activities instead of going to expensive entertainment venues. This not only helps you save money but also strengthens friendships and creates beautiful memories of student life.
7. Learn to Say “No” to Shopping Temptations
“Bargain hunting” is a common mentality of many people, especially students. However, before deciding to buy any item, ask yourself: “Do I really need this item?” or is it simply “wanting to have it because others have it?”. Learning to control temporary shopping desires will help you save a significant amount of money!
8. Create Saving Habits from Small Things
Saving is not too difficult, you can start from the smallest things such as: turning off the lights when leaving the room, turning off the tap after use, using both sides of paper when printing… These small actions, although simple, contribute to protecting the environment and saving household expenses.
Conclusion
“Many drops make a puddle,” saving money effectively for students is not easy but completely achievable if you have a reasonable spending plan and determination to implement it. Start with the smallest things, and you will be surprised at the amount of money you save!