Broke But Thriving: 8 Budget Hacks for International Students Living the Dream

Smart Budgeting Tips for International Students: Save Money While Enjoying the Experience

Studying abroad is like calling it a grand adventure in a box – you’d meet new things, go to new places, and realize that Ramen noodles can feed you more than you can imagine. But come on people, let’s not sugar coat it now, the beginning portion which dealt with budgeting? That’s the kind of plot twist you never knew you needed in your life. Don’t worry, though! So here we give you eight tried-and-tested sound advice to travel Europe en masse on a shoestring, from student apartment peculiarities to weirdos you will sure to come across!

1. Plan Your Budget in Advance

Before arriving in a new country, write down a thorough budget. Find out the cost of living in your destination, such as school fees, housing, transportation, food, and entertainment. A specific amount should be allocated to each item and follow it as best you can.

●      Utilise budgeting applications such as Mint or Pocket Guard to track your spending.

●      Always keep a separate reserve fund for emergencies.

2. Opt for Affordable Accommodation

Accommodation is one of the greatest books that students can dip into for students abroad. Picking affordable options can help to a great extent in lowering your overall caterers. Look for student housing providers that offer shared flats or purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) near your university.

●      Check out different options regarding prices, features, and facilities before signing on the dotted line.

●      Think about living somewhere distant from the city centre if the transport is affordable.

3. Cook at Home

Eating out a lot can be unsustainable for your wallet in the long run. Save money by cooking your meals instead of having lunch in restaurants or ordering food from the outlying area. Try to find a few simple recipes and work with your roommates to prepare meals together.

●      Shop at local markets to buy fresh and cheap produce.

●      Meal prepping can save both time and money.

 

4. Use Student Discounts

Many countries give students discounts for transport, entertainment, and shopping. So always have your student ID card with you and ask if there are any discounts not only in a store or even a particular chain wherever you go.

●      Get student discount cards like ISIC (International Student Identity Card).

●      Find out about free or cheap student events and places of interest for students.

5. Choose Public Transport or Cycle

Say no to taxis or rideshare apps that make you overspend on everyday travel. Alternatively, you can use public transportation to get from one place to another, and also purchase or rent a bike by which you can move around. Many cities have schemes to provide students with free or reduced prices on public transport.

●      Make sure you plan your travel time and route to save both time and money on transport.

●      Walking short distances can be another great way to save money and stay healthy.

6. Find Part-Time Work

In case the rules of your visa allow this, you can use your free time to engage in a part-time job that will be a source of income for you. Working just a few hours a week can pay for your daily expenses and worry about your financial condition to a lesser extent.

●      Investigate campus jobs, tutoring, or freelancing.

●      Keep your work from interfering with your education.

7. Be Smart About Shopping

Irrational purchases and excessive spending on expensive items could be damaging to your budget. Therefore, shop smart by looking for bargains, discounts, and seconds. For everyday essentials, try visiting supermarkets or local vendors.

●      Utilize cashback apps and loyalty programs to get more savings.

●      Borrow or rent objects such as textbooks instead of buying them when they are new.

8. Track Your Expenses Regularly

Maintaining stricter control over your spending habits will certainly have a positive effect on your budget, thus making it one of the most important things to check out. Consume money wisely and evaluate the potential expense areas that might allow you to save some money. It will discipline you towards saving money in the future.

●      Define weekly or monthly spending limits.

●      Revise your budget by identifying the unnecessary expenses if you notice them.

Final Thoughts

Good budgeting of students while travelling abroad won't only make their fond memories last forever but also enable them to pay more attention to schoolwork and other than that, they can impress the faculty with great personal development. These travel hacks will keep you on the deviant path of prioritizing academics and having fun without overburdening yourself financially.

Looking for Affordable Student Accommodation?

The right housing is the best strategy for sticking to your budget. Student Tenant provides a great choice of verified and low-cost student housing options specifically designed for international students. They have to offer cosiness-shared apartments or facilities close to your university if there is no existing location for you on the campus of your educational institution.

Kick off your journey with peace of mind by using Student Tenant, the trusted source for your housing requirements!

This catchy, information-rich essay will prevent international students from spending lots of money during their studies, while at the same time linking them to a trustworthy student accommodation service. Make it clearer to me, please!