While you’re a student:
Try to work while you study - For most people this might seem like a big ask. After all, who wants to manage a hectic study schedule and still pull time at an after-hours job? But the benefit here is twofold. One, you get to earn money while you’re a student and two, you get to add some work experience to your CV.
Start saving today - Even if you feel that you are not earning much money, it helps to take a jar and fill it up with even as little as R2 to R5 a week. On a grander scale, you can definitely start a savings account with a debit order that goes off every month. Figure out ways to save long-term and have short-term savings on hand.
Share certain food costs with friends if you live at a res - If you think about it, there really isn’t any need to break the bank on a daily basis with expensive lattes and meals out. You can easily come up with a food-sharing club or have a communal coffee station at one person’s house. If you do live in a residence or accommodation, this is an easy way in which to save on some much-needed funds.
Once you begin working:
On the other side of the spectrum, once you begin working, there is a whole new dynamic that comes into play. Although it may seem enticing that you are now about to earn a salary, you will still need to be careful about how you spend your funds. Here are some tips for saving that will help you in the present moment, and many years down the line.
Live below your means
It may be tempting to spend your money like there’s an infinite supply of it, but in all honesty it isn’t recommended that you do so. If you can’t live below your means, find ways to at least live within your means. By doing so, you will create a greater bank of savings and earnings.
Pay off your student debt as soon as you can
Once you are done studying, it’s easy to delay payments on your student loan because you feel as if you need a breather. But then fast-forward a few months and years and somewhere in the middle of a tight financial period in your life, when debtors come calling you do realise that you simply can’t ignore it anymore. Before it gets to this point, pay off your student debt.
Start budgeting
It is never too early to have a financial plan. One of the most important things is knowing where your money is going to. Take the time to actually sit down and get real about your finances. One of the easiest things to do is make a list of what your living expenses are. Set aside some money that will go into your rainy day savings. Perhaps save for the car that you’ve been dreaming of and that extra qualification that you’ve always wanted to add to your CV.
The transition between being a student and arriving into the working world doesn’t have to be an overwhelming one. With a little bit of planning and forward-thinking, you can breathe easily, knowing that you have your own back. See saving as an act of self-love and do it for yourself.
