By Kayla Delaney
As a community of students working towards their futures, we find ourselves often looking to the past – writers, theories and ways of living which permeate our studies and choices. I am particularly a fan of turning back to the old works like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, or the works of Ursula K Le Guin, Tolkien or the wonderful Studio Ghibli. We have expanded since then, but some of the old-school ways we can budget and live our lives to the fullest still hold true. Here’s some classic budgeting hacks, refurbished for today’s world!
Don’t bother with the brands – “There’s no point in acting surprised about it.”
This is probably a very familiar bit of advice, but, trust me, it’s just as valid today as it was in the past.
Avoid the expensive branded stuff as much as you can. Most supermarkets have their own branded items, available for cheaper and, if needed, easier to buy in bulk. It’s almost always cheaper. Unless there are only the brands available for what you need, such as a specific dietary requirement, or that the supermarket doesn’t have an own-brand version yet, avoid them.
Write it down – “We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!”
Doubt and uncertainty can be tough, but keeping a written record of your budget and knowing what to worry about can help. Both modern and old-school budgeting involve the ideal way to keep track – writing things down. There’s a few different apps and software to do this, but, if you don’t know how to use them and maybe don’t have time to learn, some pens and paper do the trick. Check your regular expenses, your income, your student finance and any other ways you save or spend. This means you can see what you’re spending money on that you maybe shouldn’t be, and where to cut back.
Exercise – “Oh no, not again.”
Yes, the dreaded word, ‘exercise’ – it can be agonising, slow with results and expensive. The great thing is that you don’t need a bunch of equipment or a gym membership to exercise. Whilst those are useful, they’re costly for a student, and there are ways you can get your exercise in just with yourself and some gym clothes, or just leggings, shorts and a t-shirt. You can do running, yoga, callisthenics and zumba – all things that, at most, require a phone and internet to get started.
Another brilliant way to keep yourself healthy, physically and mentally, is to just go outside. No membership needed. There’s parks and fields and plenty of walking routes to take, and sometimes just sitting around in the Quad with your friends, or some music and a good book, is cheaper and better for you than a pub crawl. A beautiful location nearby us is Virginia Water, which is a short drive, cheap bus journey or walk away!
Student resources – “So long, and thanks for all the fish.”
One of the things you’ll miss most when you graduate is the access you had to student resources, the two biggest being discount codes and the library. We have thousands of books available to borrow and read for free, and there are hundreds of brands and websites that offer discounts or free trials just for students – they know how much we need to save a bit of cash.
Wander without tech – “I’d far rather be happy than right any day.”
Our phones may have endless sources of information and locations, but there is a bit of magic and mystery in wandering and getting things a bit wrong. You can always retrace your steps.
As and when you can, put your phone, tablet or laptop away for a bit, and see what’s around you. There’s dozens of societies and clubs, some that don’t need a membership to participate in, and there’s Egham, with a friendly community, volunteering opportunities and some neighbourhood cats. There’s events in the town centre such as the Market, or the Church book sale, where you can simply browse and leave your phone in your pocket.
“Don’t Panic.”
Do not panic about money, as much as you can – wanting to save money doesn’t mean you’re never allowed to spend it. Give yourself a bit of spending money, and don’t beat yourself up for it if you go over budget; money is rarely a reliable thing or a source of happiness, and the time spent and the memories made are far more valuable. Besides, it’s normal to be conscious of your spending habits – some people have got cash to flaunt, but you do not need to be or feel bad for not being one of them.
Conclusion – “it wasn’t the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy.”
As said above, money is not a source of happiness – you are. Your life, hobbies and pursuits are what will bring you more joy than anything, as will the people you share it with. The world is beautiful, and there are ways to access and, more importantly, enjoy it without having to spend a pretty penny.
Image: NASA on unsplash