A Graduate's Advice- Debt

I have debt. I’m the first to admit this. Not crippling university debt, I can live with my student loans it’s just the price of going to university nowadays. No, what I mean is that during my first year of university where I finally had money after years of living without expenses I may have made too many trips to Topshop and found myself having spent all of my overdraft. I spent that summer crying, desperately trying to find a job and having my mum supplement me. It was a really bad time and I still have that debt hanging over me. 

         

However, I learnt from it and without it, I know I wouldn’t be in the position I am today. Without taking that hard lesson, I probably wouldn’t have been able to fund my move to Leeds so heed my advice for the love of God Budget! So here are five tips on how to keep your money in check in uni so you don’t end up like me.

1.    Make a budget.

    There are loads of apps and tools online that can help with budgeting and it can even allow you to see places where you can cut down on some expenses. Skip your morning coffee, bring a packed lunch, borrow books from the library rather than buy everything on your reading lists, you don’t need them all! Also meal plan because once you do not only are you eating healthier, you’re also saving money and get amazing leftovers for lunch. It’s a win win.

2.    Don’t fall for loans/ credit cards/ payday loans

 Because they will mess you up and you’ll find yourself with debt up to your eyeballs. Its 'free' money when you're buying that dress in Zara but when you see what you owe and the interest added which is a gazillion percent you will weep. Just don’t.

3.    Talk to someone! 

  You have no idea how much release you can get from sharing your worries. Talk to your mum, your roommate, your friend, your dog, anybody that will listen. Only then, after your cry can you put a plan into action and understand where you went wrong and how to appease it.

4.    Consider getting a job. 

Without my job in care work I wouldn’t have been able to live at university, I probably wouldn’t have been able to afford much but because I’m a grafter and I put the hours in, it allowed me to live quite comfortably in my third year. There are loads of options and I know there’s the spiral of needing experience to get experience but it’s possibly, volunteer whilst you look and something should come up as it did for me!

5.  Talk to the uni. 

     If shit hits the fan, your university should have funds in place for students in dire straits. At Ulster, you had an interview and the university gave you a grant off £200 to keep you going when you only have £8 in your account until May. Use it! Don’t feel ashamed it’s put in place because students are dicks and will spend too much money on nights out. It’s a rite of passage, get the free money and use it to get back on your feet.