OsloMet student Eileen Golamini. Photo: Mina K. Abrahamsen
Save money during your studies
Monthly budget, meal planning and a flexible part-time job give student Eileen Golamini more money to spend in everyday life. Read her savings tips.
– It is very easy to use the bank card if you do not have a plan, says mechanical engineering student Eileen Golamini.
She sets up a budget before each month. Then she starts with the fixed expenses that she must pay, such as housing, electricity, internet and mobile subscription. Then she enters expenses that she herself has chosen to have, such as Netflix and other subscriptions.
– It is easy to do something about the self-selected expenses. If I don't get to work that much for a month, I can just cancel a subscription that I don't need, says Eileen.
Flexible job
She wishes she could work more, but does not want the job to go beyond her studies. However, her job as an employee of the university-wide buddy board at OsloMet is a flexible job where she can work when she does not have classes.
– I am lucky to have got a job where I can prioritize my studies, says Eileen.
Plans grocery shopping
Eileen is also a fan of thinking smart when shopping for food. She plans dinners for the whole week and shares a payment card for food with her roommate, where they set aside a fixed sum. They like to make a little extra for dinner, so that they can have the leftovers in their lunch box the next day.
– Cheap food does not have to be boring if you have planned a little in advance. And it's motivating to have a tasty lunch in your everyday life, says Eileen.
Get an overview
According to researcher at the National Institute for Consumer Research SIFO, Marthe Hårvik Austgulen, getting an overview of expenses is the most important thing you can do to keep consumption down. It is particularly important for students, who have less to deal with than those in work. Then they can find out where there is room to save.
– There is a lot that you don't think about that you spend money on in everyday life, she says.
Eileen`s saving tips for students
- Create a budget for each month. Start with fixed expenses, add voluntary expenses, and don't forget to set aside a little for food.
- Plan your food shopping and make a little extra, so you have the next day's lunch box.
- Have a separate payment card for food and set aside a fixed amount per week. You can save money on that, whether you share the card with one or several roommates.
- Use apps that give you a discount on food, such as e.g. Too Good To Go. Many bakeries offer discounts at the end of the day, and Holdbart sells food that will soon expire.
- Check offers online. There are a bunch of student discount sites.
