Student Survival Tips
Whether you’re living at home or renting, when you’re a student, money’s always an issue. So here are
some ideas and tips that could help make ‘surviving till you graduate’ a little easier.
Top ten money saving tips
1. Buy used books, furniture, fridges and TVs from other students. Check out the uni bulletin boards
for bargains.
2. Find a place to house sit for the summer, preferably near the beach. Offer to take care of their
cats and dogs in return for little or no rent. Maybe they’ll fill the fridge with your favourite food.
3. Never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. You’ll always buy more than you need.
4. Surf for free stuff on the net. We found a few interesting links.
5. Make sure you always use Commonwealth Bank ATMs to avoid paying an access fee for using other bank’s
ATMs. It should be easy – we have more ATMs than any other bank.
6. If creating a budget sounds all too hard, use our Student Budget Calculator. In three simple steps
you’ll see where you can shave off a few bucks every month.
7. Set your limits. Having a credit card limit of $1,000 doesn’t mean you have to spend it all. If you
can only afford to pay back $200 then just spend that.
8. Sometimes even the best plans get off track. Always have a secret stash up your sleeve just in case.
9. Plan ahead. Want to get away for the holidays? Or the car rego’s looming? Put a few dollars aside
each week, it’s easier than scrounging around trying to find the whole amount at the last minute.
10. Find out how to make the most of every dollar by being informed about money matters. Get to know
your money online today!
Cheap entertainment
* Check out your uni web site and local pubs for free / cheap events happening in and around
campus.
* Go to the library – no, not to study – to read for enjoyment. Try to avoid late fees.
* Art galleries / museums – get on their mailing list so you know when any free stuff is happening.
* Host a movie marathon at home and get your friends to chip in.
* Instead of going to a restaurant have a ‘potluck’ dinner, where everyone brings their favourite
dish. You may end up with everyone bringing desserts. But who cares!
* Go to other people’s parties.
Cheap dates
* A picnic in the park, a walk (anywhere romantic) at sunset, a ride on a ferry… accompany any of
these scenarios with reading a poem you’ve written specially for your date and you’re set! It doesn’t
matter how bad it is, it’s the thought that counts.
* Don’t have a date? Go to the beach and slip on some roller blades – you never know who you might
bump in to. Can’t roller blade? Go for a walk in the park and borrow a friend’s dog, the cuter the
better. An adorable pooch is a definitive chick/guy magnet!
* Scan the arts section of the paper for gallery opening nights. Not only will there be free
bevvies and canapes but you can show off your cultured side. If you’re clueless, do a bit of homework
on the artist before you go.
Cheap fitness
* Walk.
* Walk faster.
* Now jog.
* Try running for a while – you can do it!
* Find a scenic spot for the above to keep your mind off the pain.
* Get started by unplugging your TV and not watching it – except for Oprah, (as if).
* Put an equal amount of books in each hand and use as weights – while you watch Oprah.
Cheap style
* Garage sales – a veritable treasure trove of great stuff for you, your home and your loved ones.
Don’t forget Council cleanups and op shops!
Free stuff online!
There are lots of great sites where you can get free stuff. Here are just some of them:
www.shopfree.com.au
www.australianfreebies.com
www.hotdockets.com.au
www.ozfreebies.com.au
www.iwin.com.au/weeklyquiz
www.stuff.com.au
www.promo.com.au/promo.cfm
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