Survival and stretching your budget for first year away from home
May 27, 2010 | Posted by grant management
Home life
- Agree ‘House Rules’ with your flat mates
- Get a TV license between you
- Make sure you all have sufficient insurance for contents and possessions
- Draw up a list of regular chores to be done and agree a rota
- Discuss and agree how to manage ‘bathroom rush hours’
- Understand how all your appliances work. If anything breaks due to misuse you may be liable
- Be friends with your washing machine, heating, boiler and plumbing system! It is so easy to take these for granted but when there’s a problem you really know about it!
- Agree on ‘curfew’ times for guests. Especially during the week if you have to get up for work or Uni, you don’t want to be kept awake into the small hours by your house mates and their friends
- Have a kitty for items you all use, such as loo roll, washing up liquid etc
- Learn to cook and avoid takeaways. This will save you money, keep you healthy and you might even enjoy it too!
- Cook together – it really saves on time, money, washing up etc and gives you an opportunity to talk
- Buy supermarket products on ‘Buy one get one free’ special offers, it’s like paying half price
- Shop outside normal hours, get to know the best times when stores in your area reduce produce such as meat, vegetable and fruit
- Save money off vouchers for when you shop. Many stores will take the vouchers even if you haven’t bought the specified item
- Students can get discounts with an NUS Extra card which gives discount at a range of stores
- Use left overs to make salads, sandwiches, soups and stew
- Plan what you are going to eat for the week in advance, work out what you need and only buy that when shopping – minimises wastage
- Look at meals that form the basis for other meals – ie Mince can then be turned into spag bol which can in turn be turned into Chilli etc
- Go to the swimming pool or gym – have a shower there and use their hot water
- Try to sign up to phone / internet / TV deals which give benefits such as free calls, unlimited downloads etc
- Use Skype – it’s free
- Does your mobile phone contract give any freebies? Some give a free laptop
- Sign up for money off and loyalty cards. Most coffee shops, fast food and book stores will have a scheme
- Shop around for best rates or best perks for bank accounts etc
- Make a list of all the dates your bills are due on to ensure they are paid in full and on time
- If you are all students, apply for your Council Tax exemption ASAP. You must provide proof from your university that you are in full time education
- Try to resolve all disputes as they arise, between you. There is nothing worse than a frosty atmosphere, where things go unsaid. Listen to your house mates’ point of view and ask that they listen to you. Offer solutions to problems
- Agree how the bills will be split – if your name is on the bill, ultimately you are responsible for paying it so it is advisable to divide them up between all who live in the property.
- Keep an eye on gas and electricity usage to keep bills low
- Clear up after yourself – in the kitchen, bathroom and all other shared areas
- Remember to allow steam to escape by opening windows when cooking and using the bathroom. This will help to avoid condensation and mould growing
- Be security conscious and make sure windows and doors are locked at night and when you are out
- Be mindful of your neighbours. Not everyone gets on with their neighbours but building good relations with your neighbours can have huge benefits
- Keep a healthy sense of humour
- Mark your possessions with your initials or a security marker
- Make sure your mobile phone has ICE (In Case of Emergencies) as a contact with more than one person listed
Out on the Town
- If you are out on a big night, set your budget before you go
- Plan how you will get home before you leave. It’s no fun having a long walk home on your own in the dark
- Don’t take your credit card – it is so easy to spend what you don’t have and regret it afterwards
- Take a charged mobile phone with you
- Watch your drinks being poured and don’t leave unattended
- Share a licensed taxi home with house mates or friends
- Get to know a local taxi firm
- Take a jacket
- If you get the bus or train home late, avoid doing so alone and if you do, sit near the driver or in a carriage with other people
- Don’t take a short cut home through parks, alleys or unlit areas
- Learn what your limits are. There is a big difference between having a good night out and ruining the next day – or worse by going too far
- Drink plenty of water before you go to bed
- Don’t give your address or phone number to strangers
- Stick with friends and don’t leave anyone behind
- If you are going on somewhere else, make sure you tell friends where you will be
- Don’t use a cash point when you are out
Stretching your budget
- Whenever you are about to make a purchase, consider:
Do you really need it?
Can you do without it?
Are you able to borrow it from family, friend or library?
Is it something you can share the cost of with a friend?
Can you buy it anywhere else cheaper?
Can you afford it?
- Get a part time job
- Set a daily, weekly and monthly budget and manage it. It is boring but it is key to surviving on limited funds
- Always ask for discounts – student, cash or both!
Ask for expert help when you need it – don’t be shy about thi
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