Budgeting Tips for the Struggling student

• Plan Plan Plan: organising your expenses and making a budget can really help you keep on track with what needs payment and the money you can save for a rainy day. Draw out a simple budget and start from there!

• Be savvy with your food shop: When it comes to being a student, food and transport is one of the biggest expenses in my experience. Try and shop in supermarkets such as Aldi or Lidl, they have a wide range of food for a small price. Making a meal plan and make a shopping list as this can also help when you go food shopping to ensure you only buy what you need instead of impulse buying.

• Bulk up: Reduce food waste and buy small containers to store leftover food. It will help reduce the amount of money you will need to spend on meals every week as some days you can double up on meals and have it the next day for lunch/dinner. Such a valuable student budgeting tip!

• Set a weekly budget amount: this tip is vital for students. It will help you discipline yourself to stick to the budget and keep any extra money you might have to save. Ensure this budget won’t restrict you too much though, be comfortable in what you are spending and remember if you need help always ask!

• Sharing is caring: if you live in a student house why not try and do a big food shop between you and your housemates, this means food costs might work out cheaper and it could be a cool idea to take it in turns to cook dinner each night.

MABS- Money Advice and Budgeting Service

MABS is another great initiative,  an open service for students with financial struggles in College. MABS is a state-run money advice service. This initiative is free, confidential and independent. They have over 60 MABs office situated all over Ireland.

MABS support people who are experiencing financial debt and they believe Money Management  education is important for everyone. Their goal is to ensure people are aware of the different services they offer as well as catering to individual needs that tailors your personal financial situation.

The supports for students include:

-Debt and Budgeting Tools- functions available access your situation, analyse income and debts along with a service to help organise a budget.

-Money Management Education- Information can be freely accessed by students/public about personal management of money and everyday expenses. (https://www.mabs.ie/en/how_we_help/education/)

Maynooth Citizen Information Centre has all the details to help you get in touch with MABS:

Phone: 0761 07 8100

Email: maynooth@citinfo.ie

Contact MABs Directly:

Helpline: 0761 07 2000

Email: helpline@mabs.ie