Mahit's guide to saving money
4 March 2022
Hi, my name’s Mahit and I’m a first-year Software Engineering student here at Macquarie.
Student life is great but can become very expensive and financially stressful if your money isn’t managed well. Students, especially international students, have to pay thousands of dollars on tuition fees, textbooks, etc.
By implementing simple ways to save money, students can still enjoy a good life while spending less and saving more. A few ways include:
Using student discounts
Many companies offer special discounted prices on their products and services for students. This means you can save tons of money on food, travel, movies, retail, and software. All you need to know is where to find these good deals!
Googling the item or service you want along with the word ‘student’ or ‘student discount’ usually gives you access to the cheaper options the companies have to offer for students. For example: If you’re in the market for an Apple MacBook or iPad Pro for your studies, simply searching up ‘Apple student discount’ takes you straight to their student pricing website.
Signing up to apps such as UNiDAYS or Student Edge can help you find loads of student discounts offered by multiple companies all in one place.
Making a budget
Creating a budget and keeping track of money coming in and flowing out of your bank account is another good practice. This will help in making you more focused and aware of your spending which can motivate you to save more money.
Excel spreadsheets are a good traditional method to keep track of expenses. The advancements in technology have allowed an easier way of budgeting through various apps created for this purpose. Some of the common ones include PocketBook, You Need A Budget, etc.
Cooking your own meals
While there are lots of amazing eateries to choose from on the University campus, buying meals daily can be expensive. Making your own meals for the week by finding recipes you can freeze is a cost-effective and healthier alternative. There are plenty of microwaves available in all three floors of The Campus Hub, 1 Central Courtyard.