Budgeting + Planning

Creating and following a budget is the first step toward financial freedom. Here are a few tips to get on track to financial success:

• Track your spending: If you have no idea where your money goes, it’s very difficult to create a budget and properly allocate your money. For at least one week, keep a record of your purchases to see how you currently spend your money. This will help you identify areas where you can potentially reduce spending, such as limiting how often you eat out.
• Create your budget: Once you have an idea of where your money is going, you can build a budget. You can use a pre-made app like this one or create your own. Excel is a great place to start and there are many templates available to help you get started.
• Review your budget frequently: It’s important to review your budget each month and make changes as needed. It's common to be over or under in certain categories at first, but you will get the hang of it over time.
• Save first: A great way to save without thinking about it is to set up an automatic transaction with your bank to move a set amount into a savings account on payday. It's easier to save at the beginning of the month than to try and save at the end after you may have overspent.
• Set SMART goals: Ensure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. For more information on setting SMART financial goals check out this website.
• Visualize your goals: Stay motivated by keeping your goals in mind. You can create a financial vision board or visually track your progress, such as by placing money in a jar.
• Adopt a spending mantra: Make yourself a guide for how you spend, such as “will this item bring me happiness,” or “I will wait 24 hours before making any purchases over [fill in dollar value here].”
• Manage your entertainment: Budgeting isn't about restricting yourself entirely, that makes it more challenging to stick to your budget in the long-term. Plan for a balanced and appropriate amount of money for entertainment. You can also try brainstorming some activities that cost less, like going for a hike or exploring your city.
• Review your subscriptions: Monthly subscriptions, like gym memberships, Spotify, Netflix or subscription boxes, can easily eat away at your budget. Eliminate anything you no longer use or consider rotating subscriptions that you don’t want to have all the time.
• Check for student discounts: Oftentimes companies, including the U of A, will offer student discounts to students. Make sure you are aware of what perks are already included in your school fees, and look into deals and discounts on the Students Union website.

Eating balanced, nutritious and enjoyable meals doesn't have to be expensive. Here are some tips for managing food on a budget:

• Make your lunch: Try to limit the amount you eat out by bringing your own food. If you typically eat out daily, try reducing that by one day each week until you are only eating out once in a while.
• Utilize the Campus Food Bank: They offer a busing program to help you get to grocery stores, a free breakfast every Wednesday during the academic year or you can take part in their Supplementary Grocery Program.
• Use apps to find cheaper options: Several apps can help you find cheap groceries in Edmonton, including Flashfood, Too Good To Go and Flipp. Flashfood focuses on discounted food nearing its best-before date, while Too Good To Go helps rescue surplus food from restaurants and stores at reduced prices. Flipp aggregates digital flyers from various grocery stores, allowing you to compare prices and find deals.
• Get inspired!: The U of A Libraries have a huge variety of cookbooks you can borrow for free or look online. Check out some great cookbooks for students .
• Spruce up the basics: Let’s be honest — ramen is a student staple! Level up your instant ramen game with this Perfect Instant Ramen recipe.
• Share the love: Connect with some classmates for a bring-your-own-lunch style meal or a potluck. This preserves the community aspect of eating out while keeping costs low.

Textbooks are one of the largest expenses for students after tuition, rent and food. Here a few tips on how to save money on your studies:

• Talk with your professors: For some courses, the textbooks are optional, so ask if the book is mandatory before buying it. You can also ask if you can buy an older edition of the textbook, which are often much cheaper and do not have substantial updates.
• Buy and sell used books: Buying and selling used books is a great way to keep costs low. You can try local used bookstores, the U of A Students' Union Used Book Registry or secondhand markets like Facebook Marketplace of Kijiji to see if someone is selling the books you need.
• Try an eBook: Save on paper! Check Campus eBookstore, Amazon, Google Books or Kobo for eBooks.
• Share with a friend: See if a classmate or friend is willing to share the textbook, whether they have it from a previous class, or want to split the cost.
• Borrow from the library: The books you need may be available at one of the campus or city libraries for you to borrow for free!

Gift giving shouldn't be about how much money you spend, but sharing moments with the ones you love. With these tips and tricks we hope you can feel good about the gifts you give, while staying on track with your budget:

• Determine your budget: Write down who you need to buy for and allocate a dollar amount to each person. Once you have figured out how much you can spend on gifts, put that money into a separate bank account. Once the money runs out, you'll know you have spent all you can on holiday items!
• Give personalized gifts: Consider making gifts instead of buying them, like putting together a photo album or baking treats for your friends.
• Gift your time: Give the gift of your time by having a movie night at home, going for a coffee or volunteering in your community.
• Work together as a group: If your group of friends usually buys gifts for each other, consider doing a group gift, a potluck or an affordable group activity instead.
• Shop smart: If you are hosting a get together, make sure you check your local grocery store flyers to see what's on sale and use coupons if possible.