HOW TO BUDGET AND SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE STUDENT FINANCES

Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ HOW TO BUDGET AND SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE STUDENT FINANCES 2008 - 2009 Southampton University Students’ Union www.susu.org Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre (SUAIC) OPEN Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 10.00am – 4.00pm Wed 10.30am – 3.30pm Contacting SUAIC: Telephone: Fax: e-mail: Website: Address: 023 8059 2085 023 8059 5235 suaic@susu.org http://suaic.susu.org/ Student Services Centre (Building 37) Southampton University University Road Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ • • Occasionally quick queries can be dealt with immediately. For more complex problems please make an appointment. Sessions also available at Winchester School Of Art: Home Students – Term-time only. WSA SUSU, Students’ Union building. Check our website for day and times. International Students – To make an appointment with an International Students’ Adviser, please contact the Student Office at Winchester School of Art. WSA SUSU, Students’ Union building. Telephone: 023 8059 6913 (Student Office) email: cg1@soton.ac.uk (Kate Gower) Check our website for day and times. The advice and information service is provided by four members of staff trained and experienced in dealing with matters of particular relevance to students. • 2 How to BUDGET AND SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE STUDENT FINANCES Introduction Money management skills don’t come naturally; financial capability is something we all have to learn – sometimes the hard way. However much income you have as a student, it will never be enough unless you discipline yourself to use basic budgeting skills. This guide will help you establish whether you are getting everything you’re entitled to, help you work out the best way of spending it, tell you where to turn in a crisis, but mostly teaches you how to take responsibility for your money. This is a skill which will be important for the rest of your life. “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery. “ Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, 1849 English novelist (1812 - 1870) Why do I need to read this Guide? Because most students are coming to University for the first time and this guide will let you know what to expect, how to prepare and what to do if things go wrong. Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 3 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances What if I’ve got Loadsa Money? As the quote at the start of this booklet points out, you are only rich if you can afford what you buy. The more money you have the more likely you are not to worry about the odd pair of shoes here and there. Use this booklet to help you work out a budget so you never overspend. Another big difference is that this will probably be the first time you have lived independently in halls or in a shared house. Rent is most people’s biggest expenditure and don’t forget the bills. Independent and mature students are likely to suffer a fall in their income but will probably have existing commitments such as a mortgage, credit cards and hire purchase agreements. Temptation – Southampton is full of great shops, bars and restaurants. This guide will help identify any shop– aholic tendencies and help you work out the difference between NEED and GREED! More seriously it will help you work out what sort of lifestyle you can afford and help to avoid stressful money problems during your studies and into your future. What’s Different for Students? One of the most unusual things about money as a student is that you’ll get paid your student loans, grants and bursaries in lump sums at various points of the academic year. Most new students will be used to getting paid weekly or monthly in previous employment and learning to stretch the big payments is not an easy skill. 4 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Every student needs to think about what financial responsibilities they have, what choices they face, and what help they can expect to receive if they get into difficulties. Budgeting helps you… 1. Know where your money is going 2. Stay in control and avoid getting into debt 3. Be in control of your finances and make sensible choices 4. Make the most of your money Taking Control Don’t let your money control you….. Take control of your own money as early on as you can and continue to do so throughout your life. This guide will give you a step by step guide on how to manage your finances successfully, but it will require a lot of commitment on your part. Sometimes we all face unexpected circumstances that plunge us into financial crisis and we can do little to account for these. However, most students get in to trouble simply by overspending. Have some fun We recommend that you log on to play Uniaid’s Student Survivor Game at www.student.survivor.org.uk They also have great interactive budgeting tools to help you prepare for uni life. Have some fun at: http://www.student.org.uk/original/ Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 5 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Do you know how much you spend on haircuts each year? Do you keep your receipts and check them against your bank statement? READ ON. . . . Financial Information and Assistance for advice. This is particularly important if you come from a low income background, have children or have been claiming benefits prior to starting University. The table overleaf shows the sort of support available for full-time students. New System students are those who enter Higher Education during or after the 2006/07 academic year. Contact SUAIC if you are unsure. If you are completing an NHS Funded Course then visit: http://www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk/ for information on funding. STEP 1 – WORKING OUT YOUR INCOME What financial help is available? In the beginning – are you sure that you’re getting everything you are entitled to? You will probably have already applied for funding from your LA or Student Finance Direct, but don’t assume it’s correct if you’re not certain. A good start is by having a look online at: www.studentsupport.direct.co.uk. If you are concerned that you are not getting the proper funding, or have questions about additional bursaries then please contact SUAIC or 6 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Type of help available Help towards tuition fees Student Loan for Tuition Fees Maintenance Grant (Special Support Grant) Higher Education Grant (low income families) Student Loans for Maintenance Bursaries (low income families) Extra help if you have a disability Extra help if you have children or adult dependants For new system students? No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes For old system students? Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 7 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances All of the above are paid in various ways and at various times of the year. You need to work out how much your total support package adds up to and then you can start to think how much you have to spend. EXAMPLE: 2nd year new system student receives Tuition Fee Loan Maintenance Grant Maintenance Loan University of Southampton Bursary Money from Grandad (per month) Total Income?????? You can only work out your income by deciding to do so either weekly, monthly or annually. Let’s work this one out over the 39 weeks of the course, assuming that you’ll be working full time in the summer holidays. £3,070 £2,765 £3,280 £1,000 £25.00 So including Grandad’s generous offerings the total income whilst studying is £7295 – remember that the tuition fee loan gets paid straight to The University. Total Income for Academic Year = £7295 Now divide this by 39 so you know how much you have to spend each and every week. £7295/39 = £187 per week. This is how much money you have to spend on everything you need and want each week. Work out yours and write it here. £ 8 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances STEP 2 – SPENDING You now know your income, but do you have any idea how much life costs in Southampton each week? First of all you need to work out the essentials – those payments that you just have no choice about. These can vary but the basic ones that we all have in common are as follows: Rent, food, toiletries, laundry, telephone, travel, insurance, course costs etc… A full list is available on the budget planner at the back of this booklet. We can give average figures for expenses such as rent (£60 - £139 per week) but really it is up to you to work out your individual spending commitments. Hopefully you will then be left with a little bit of disposable income that you can spend on things you need or want. Often it is the students with the most money that get into problems because they do not keep control of their spending. Keep a Spending Diary It might be helpful to identify any particular bad spending habits by completing a spending diary. You will probably learn a lot about yourself, such as whether you ‘comfort shop’ on a bad day. We have included an example one. The main aim is to complete it for at least a week so you can work out exactly where your money goes. How can I find out what I’ll need to spend? One size doesn’t fit all, but in general once a single student under 25 has paid their fees and their rent they are expected to be able to live on as little as £47 per week. However the NUS has estimated that students spend around £9,600 a year (including rent). = £246.15 per week Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 9 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Keeping a spending diary will put you in control of your money and help you plan for the future. EXAMPLE: Date: 5th October 2008 What you did: In the day I went in to town. In the evening I went to The Stag’s head for a Fresher’s Week event. How you felt: Excited, nervous, a bit homesick This part helps you make a link between your spending habits and your mood What you bought: New clothes, TopShop Drinks in the evening Lunch in town Coffee Magazine Mascara What it cost: Clothes - £80, Drinks - £20, Lunch - £7, Coffee - £4, Magazine £5 , Makeup £8 Total Spending for the day: £124 Total Weekly Budget £187 versus Total Spending for one day £124 10 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances This student now only has £63 to pay their rent and food for the rest of the week. That’s just not possible, but they already have their first loan instalment so they just take it from the lump sum sitting in their bank. The money will run out eventually TAKE STEPS TO AVOID THIS. If you complete this diary for a week you can start to work out what you like to spend your money on and then make some choices. If you can stick to your weekly budget and still buy what you like then lucky you – but if you find you’re going over budget then only you can decide what to cut out. Everyone has to make hard choices about their money so don’t feel hard done by if you can’t afford to get your hair cut in Toni and Guy anymore. If you’re serious about your studies then you might need to make sacrifices. For money saving hints and tips we recommend Martin Lewis’ website http://www.moneysavingexpert. com/ See back of the booklet for other great resources. Expect the Unexpected – Plan for the Future You cannot predict what will happen to you, but if you put your mind to it then you can make sensible provision for future costs. Over the page are some examples of costs you can easily forget about – Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 11 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Forgotten costs Gifts for friends and family Car MOT Memory stick Lost mobile phone Approximate yearly costs £300? – depends on how generous you are! Anything from £50 to £300 if you have an old banger £15 to £50 £50 - £100 The list could go on and on depending on your individual circumstances. For the student above, that’s £800 they haven’t planned for. We don’t expect you to have a crystal ball, but try to keep some money aside for these kinds of one off costs. ‘If things are out of control, try not to panic – seek help!’ 12 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances STEP 3 – BUDGETING By now you should have a good idea of how much you have to spend each week and how much you actually spend. Now you need to look closely at these figures so you are totally in control of your bank balance. Using a financial statement can be really helpful. Here is an example: ‘You don’t have to deal with money problems alone – seek help!’ Income per week Student Loan (39 weeks) Bursary (39 weeks/51 weeks) Maintenance Grant Benefits Wages/salary Other TOTAL A £ 84.00 26.10 70.89 00.00 30.00 00.00 210.99 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 14 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Spending per week Rent/Mortgage Council tax Ground Rent Service Charge Repairs Water Charges Contents Insurance Buildings Insurance Mortgage Endowment Life Insurance Gas Electricity Telephone Internet Meals/drinks at Uni Housekeeping Clothing/Footwear Childcare Pet Food/Vet £ 60.00 Full time students are usually exempt 00.00 00.00 00.00 07.00 09.00 00.00 00.00 00.00 10.00 6.00 35.00 12.00 12.50 30.00 10.00 00.00 00.00 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 14 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances School meals/expenses TV Licence Health Costs/Prescriptions Car costs Travel Birthdays/Christmas Cigarettes Laundry Other Other TOTAL B 00.00 2.25 See SUAIC for an HC1 form. If you’re on a low income this might be free 00.00 07.50 02.50 www.gosmokefree.co.uk 5.00 208.75 Hopefully your total A will be greater than your total B. If it is then make sure you stick to this budget. Don’t be complacent. If you have £15 to spare to spend on what you like then try taking £15 a week out of the cash machine to ensure you don’t fall into the trap of losing track of coffees, lunches and treats put on your debit card. Top Tip – Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 15 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances What if my income is less than my outgoings? If you find that this is the case then you will probably be feeling anxious and stressed. Follow the advice below but if you feel that you can’t cope and would like some professional help then please contact our trained money advisers here at SUAIC. find that part-time work is their only option to get through their degree. Your student loan is not affected by any part-time employment, and working for just 10 hours a week at £5.50 will provide nearly a third of the income from a full student loan. A few hours of extra work could mean some treats for yourself which you can’t afford from government funding alone. If you do find that you have to work then there are lots of jobs to choose from – see the back of this booklet for places to look for work. You might want to visit the Careers Advisory Service to get advice about part-time work that is relevant to your degree or future career aspirations. For further advice about working whilst studying visit: www.morethanwork.net Taxation – It is a myth that students are automatically exempt from paying tax on their earnings. However, if (between 6th April 2007 and 5th April 2008) you earn less than £5225 you STEP 4 – MAXIMISING YOUR INCOME This booklet has already explained how to make sure that you are getting all of the correct statutory student funding. The next step is to look at other ways that you can increase your income if needed. Part-Time Work – For the majority of students part-time work whilst studying is a necessity. You might be concerned about the effect this will have on your studies and this is something that you need to monitor carefully, however most students will 16 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances should not be paying any tax on your earnings. There are three main ways to ensure you keep this money: • If you are working during the vacation, and will not earn above the threshold, go to the Personnel Department or Human Resources Office and get a P38(s) form. Complete the form and return it to Personnel. Please also note that National Insurance Contributions are not required if you earn less than £105 per week or £453 per month. Visit studenttaxadvice.org.uk for the facts STEP 5 – SEEK HELP If you have followed all of the steps above and you are still experiencing financial difficulties then you need to find out whether there is any other help available from The University. • If during term-time employment you will not earn over the threshold ask your Personnel Department which HM Revenue and Customs Office they deal with. Contact that office as they can issue you with a code which makes you exempt from tax. above you should be issued with a P60 form at the end of the financial year – send this in to the relevant HM Revenue and Customs Office with an explanatory letter, or R40 form, and you should receive a rebate. • If you have not done either of the Access to Learning Fund (ALF) Home Students Only In general, the Access to Learning Fund provides limited financial help to students who are eligible. It is important that you pick up a copy of the guidelines for applying, in order to establish whether you are likely to be eligible for help, are one of the Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 17 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances priority groups of students targeted by the fund, and whether your particular financial needs are likely to be met by the fund. By following the three steps in this guide you will also have collected most of the relevant financial information for the form, and should as a result have an accurate figure for any predicted shortfall between income and expenditure for the rest of the year. Step one should establish that you are obtaining all relevant statutory funding, step two that you can demonstrate an on-going commitment to getting to grips with your spending, step three that the help you receive will realistically enable you to complete the year. If you do not come within the priority groups you can still apply, but the onus will be on you to provide evidence for your particular financial need. The more evidence, of the type outlined in this guide, the stronger your application. For more information contact SUAIC or Financial Information and Assistance (contact details at the back of this booklet) International Students There is a University Hardship Fund to which International students can apply. Make sure you are aware of the criteria, and talk to a SUAIC International Adviser before completing the form. This Fund is a limited amount of money which is set aside for students facing financial hardship as a result of an unforeseeable and exceptional change in their circumstances. Contact the International Students’ Advisers at SUAIC for details of this fund, and information on how to apply. 18 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Student Debt Unfortunately, debt is very much part of the University experience for most students. New system students can expect to graduate with around £21,000 made up from tuition fee and maintenance loans. This is generally considered as ‘good debt’. The loans are the cheapest available (at the rate of inflation) and they only need to be repaid when you are earning above a certain threshold – currently £15,000 per year. This can be topped up by the use of overdrafts, credit cards and dreaded store cards – which we advise you to avoid at all costs. Other Sources of Debt –ner Bank Overdrafts - ‘fair debt’ A bank overdraft is likely to have a much lower interest rate than a credit card. Banks will offer you a special student account which usually includes an overdraft which is often free and sometimes increases each year. Most banks offer ‘freebies’ like MP3 players and railcards. However, it is best to shop around for the account that suits your needs rather than go for a bank because you need a new MP3 player. Check the interest rate and overdraft limit and ask whether this will increase as you progress toward your final year. If you accidentally go over your overdraft limit or think you might need to then it is best to speak to the bank directly. Sometimes they operate a ‘buffer’ zone of around £50 to help you avoid charges. never borrow without checking the interest rate. If you don’t understand what it means then speak to an adviser at SUAIC who can explain. Top Tip – Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 19 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Credit Cards - ‘bad debt’ Credit is widely available, even for those who have a limited source of money – such as students. Credit cards are not in themselves bad, it is how you use them. If, for example, you are just making the minimum repayments each month you will continue to accrue interest on the balance that you carry over. The other danger is that by using credit cards you will find it virtually impossible to keep track of expenses. Credit card spending may not seem like real money. However it may, in some scenarios, prove useful to use credit for an emergency or one-off expense. If this happens give yourself a deadline to pay off the bill and avoid interest. Also, make sure you are fully aware of the terms of any agreement (check out the APR, annual percentage rate of interest), and shop around for the best deals being fully aware of all the small print. Credit cards are a bit like a length of rope: which you can use to climb out of a hole, but do not end up fashioning yourself a noose. In other words credit, if not used in conjunction with the steps outlined in this booklet, can easily turn into debt. Store Cards - ‘terrible debt’ Our advice is to avoid these. The interest rates are often extremely high and it can be unclear whether you are being sold a loyalty card or a credit card. It can also be very difficult to cancel agreements even if you have never used the cards. We would advise you to read the small print, but you need a magnifying glass and the shop assistants won’t give you the time you need to understand what you’re agreeing to. You can use the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) budget planner and annual percentage rate reckoner to help you work out what the borrowing will cost you. Visit www.oft.gov.uk 20 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Avoid using store cards as they often carry a higher rate of interest than either overdrafts or normal credit cards (some as high as 31%). Think about the following fact: many shops make as much money, if not more, charging interest on customer store card debts than they do on selling the goods in the store. Top Tip – Credit History If you are unable to make repayments on time then it may affect your credit history or ‘credit rating.’ If you need to borrow money in the future then the lender may look at your credit rating and make a decision based on it. If you need a mortgage or personal loan in the future then your past performance may make this more difficult or sometimes impossible. In the short-term you might have problems getting hold of credit like mobile phone contracts as they may also check your history. You can access your credit history and find ways to improve it. Details are at the back of this booklet. Debts to the University It is important to be aware of the fact that any debt to the University should be a high priority. Owing money for hall fees, tuition fees, or to the Day Nursery may mean you are unable to register for the next year of your course. The University will only consider payment plans in exceptional circumstances. A SUAIC adviser would be happy to sit down and discuss your priority and nonpriority debts. ‘Buy your fruit from Unifruit – cheap and fresh on the Union Concourse’ Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 21 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Help with Debt There is plenty of help on offer if you do get into difficulty with debt. Following the advice contained in this booklet will provide the first steps to putting your finances in order. If you are overwhelmed SUAIC can, working in conjunction with you, act as a third party to help you negotiate a gradual repayment plan. A similar free service is provided by non-profit organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, and the Consumer Credit Counselling Service. (Contact details at the back of this booklet) You could be missing out on income, especially if you are a student parent or have a disability. Council Tax For comprehensive information pick up a copy of ‘Students and Council Tax’. You should not be liable to pay if you are in halls of residence, or if you share with full-time students. Check our special booklet or seek advice from SUAIC if you intend to suspend your studies or leave your course. NHS Costs Some students on a low income (especially those with children) may qualify for help with prescription costs. Pick up a form from SUAIC or from your doctors surgery. Welfare Benefits, Council Tax and NHS Costs Welfare Benefits For a comprehensive guide to welfare benefits pick up a copy of the booklet ‘Students and Benefits’ from the Students’ Union Advice and Information Centre. Student Discounts Travel Full-time students can get a Young Person’s Railcard for £20, part-time students under 26 can also get the card. 22 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances You can get hold of the ISIC card which will entitle you to cheaper international travel and other discounts. Both of the above can be obtained at the Travel Centre on Highfield Campus. Students’ Union Every Monday during term time there is a market selling fruit, books, CDs and other goods at Highfield campus. If you have identified entertainment or leisure as an area where you tend to overspend look into the better value bars, cinema and sporting facilities provided by the Students’ Union and plan regular ‘treats’ for getting your finances in order. There are also a number of shops and services which will offer you a discount if you have your student ID card. In the end….. Hopefully you’ve picked up this booklet at the start of your course and you can look forward to a well managed financial future. You have the opportunity to take control by thinking about the areas you need to work on and being aware where you can turn if things do go wrong. Following the steps in this guide will make it easier to access help if you need to. If you feel that you are already out of control then it is not too late to follow these steps and contact SUAIC for professional guidance and assistance. We provide a free, non-judgemental service. We do not criticise you for mistakes but we do ask you to take responsibility and help us to help you. Income Tax Did you know that if you’ve worked during the past year you could be due a tax refund. Visit: studenttaxadvice.org.uk for the facts. ‘Don’t ignore letters and phonecalls – seek help!’ Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 23 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Top Ten Tips P P P P P P P P P P Get your full student finance entitlement (loans, grants & bursaries) Keep a record of what you spend Prepare a budget Go to the cash point once a week Pay for things in cash only or keep receipts and check your daily spend Establish your spending priorities Prioritise university debts Seek advice if you get into debt Always get a student discount Allow some money for enjoying yourself! 24 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Ten to Avoid O O O O O O O O O O Overspending at the start of term - your money has to last the year Buying non-essentials without planning Ignoring the danger signs that your spending is out of control Guessing your expenditure Making daily trips to the cash point Not keeping track of credit card spending Promising repayments you cannot afford Exceeding overdrafts limits without prior agreement Relying on a windfall Thinking others can take over responsibility for your finances Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 26 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances HELP, SUPPORT AND ADVICE Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre, (SUAIC) Tel: 023 8059 2085 http://suaic.susu.org/ Financial Information and Assistance Tel: 023 8059 3287 Email: stufunds@soton.ac.uk Department for Education and Skills www.dfes.gov.uk Student Finance Direct www.studentsupport.co.uk NHS Student Grants Unit www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk Student Loans Company Helpline Tel: 08456 077 577 Uniaid Student Calculator http://www.studentcalculator.org. uk/original/ AimHigher www.aimhigher.ac.uk Citizens Advice Bureaux 023 8033 3868 National Debtline Tel: 0808 808 4000 www.nationaldebtline.co.uk Consumer Credit Counselling Service Tel: 0800 138 1111 www.cccs.co.uk Mind the Gap http://mindthegap.susu.org 26 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances INFORMATION AND TIPS HM Revenue & Customs www.hmrc.gov.uk Facts about student tax Studenttaxadvice.org.uk www.moneysavingexpert.com - Martin Lewis gives money saving tips Financial Services Authority Independent, expert advice www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk Office of Fair Trading www.oft.gov.uk www.thisismoney.co.uk www.moneyfacts.co.uk – an independent and unbiased website helping you to make informed decisions on your personal finances. To check you credit histoty Callcredit Plc Consumer Services Team PO Box 491 Leeds LS3 1WZ Equifax Plc Credit File Advice Centre PO Box 1140 Bradford, BD1 505 Experian Ltd Consumer Help Service PO Box 8000 Nottingham NG80 7WF Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 27 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances PART TIME WORK Jobcentre Plus www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk Information and Advice on working whilst studying www.morethanwork.net University Temp Bank Tel: 02380593031 Email: A.Gregan@soton.ac.uk Work for Southampton University Students Union http://jobs.susu.org 28 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances BUDGET PLANNER Weekly INCOME Student Loan (39 weeks) Bursary (39 weeks/51 weeks) Maintenance Grant Benefits Wages/salary Other £ TOTAL A Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 29 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Weekly SPENDING (essentials) Rent/Mortgage Council tax Ground Rent Service Charge Repairs Water Charges Contents Insurance Buildings Insurance Mortgage Endowment Life Insurance Gas Electricity Telephone Internet Meals/drinks at Uni Housekeeping Clothing/Footwear £ 30 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Childcare Pet Food/Vet School meals/expenses TV Licence Health Costs/prescriptions Car costs Travel Birthdays/Christmas Cigarettes Laundry Other Other TOTAL B Total A – Total B = £ This is the amount that you have to spend on whatever you like. You could even think about saving some money each week so you’re prepared for any emergencies. If it is a minus figure then you need to follow the steps in this booklet to help gain control of your money. Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 31 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Here are blank spending diary sheets to help you identify where your money goes Date: What you did: How you felt: What you bought: What it cost: Total spending for the day: 32 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Date: What you did: How you felt: What you bought: What it cost: Total spending for the day: Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 33 How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Date: What you did: How you felt: What you bought: What it cost: Total spending for the day: 34 Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ How to Budget and Successfully Manage Student Finances Make an appointment with a student adviser at SUAIC if you need professional help to manage your finances. TRY NOT TO PANIC! Disclaimer Please note that at time of publication every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this booklet. The Students’ Union Advice and Information Centre and Southampton University Students’ Union cannot accept responsibility for errors, omissions, or subsequent changes in legal requirements. The Information and figures quoted in this publication were believed to be accurate at the time of going to print, but may be subject to change. July 2008 Alternative Formats of this leaflet are available on request. Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/ 35 Southampton University Students’ Union www.susu.org Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre http://suaic.susu.org/