Budgeting tips

First and foremost if you would like to explore an array of financing options you can go to the financing section of http://www.canlearn.ca  This interactive website provides you with information and tools to help students with their finances. Also make sure you:

• Spend time at the beginning of a course to plan your finances for the semester. Plan a budget comparing your income and expenditure to maximize your income and minimize your expenditure.
• Fear the worst – living carefully will make you resist any temptations, which ultimately will stop you from buying those platform trainers you don’t need!
• Get a job, not only does a job earn you money, it also distracts you from spending it. This can also help you network with people and boost your career prospects when you graduate.
• Have a list of priority spending.
• Try to make cash withdrawals and don’t carry cards around with you.
• Be environmentally friendly. Don’t leave the lights on. Use both sides of printed paper (but not toilet paper). Get a bike not a car.
• Search out second hand books not new ones.
• Keep a record of what you spend. You can then keep a check on where all your money goes and maybe evaluate what you are spending.
• Go and speak with the student financial advisor at the college/university.
• Look and apply for any loans and bursaries that you can. It will be worth researching in the end as you may end up with money that you didn’t think you were going to have.