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6 easy ways to stretch your money
Prices are increasing but as a student, your money isn’t. It’s time to make some adjustments, without sacrificing the fun. Here are ways to cut out some of those escalating costs
With the increase in the cost of food, fuel and other necessities, it has never been more difficult to save money. As a student, your primary focus should be getting high marks and not worrying about how you’re going to survive the next financial week. Here are six ways you can save money during these hard times.
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One way to stretch your money is meal-prepping. What is meal-prepping you ask? The answer is in the name – scheduling what and when you are going to eat.
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To do this well, a good foundation has to be set first. If you cannot cook, it is time you learn how. YouTube has many channels that can help with that.Â
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Second, when buying food, build your meals around the basics such as rice, pap, bread, flour, cabbage, eggs.Â
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Create meals based around how many times you generally eat in a day. And do your best not to give up because remember the goal is to save money.
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Just because the world is ending and prices are skyrocketing, does not mean we should deny ourselves fun. We are young and you do only live once as they say. However, alcohol is by far the most expensive thing about partying, so the easiest way to save money is to go to the clubs buzzed. Buy your alcohol and drink at home and only go the club when you’re feeling the vibe.
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With the way things are going, petrol will cost about R50 a litre by the end of the year. Most students do not have cars but that does not mean they don’t have places to be. Public transportation is your best friend, especially the bus and taxis.Â
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There are taxis at night but safety is important, especially for women. Considering we are trying to save money, e-hailing cabs are not pocket friendly. But when it is time to go to the club, I would advise traveling in groups so you can split the fare. This is also for safety precautions.
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Looking good can make you feel more confident, so being able to strike a balance between vanity and your wallet is essential. There are three basic things you could do to make things cheaper. Learn to do your own hair. If you are black learning one protective hairstyle is important considering that doing your hair can cost R600 and more!
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Maintaining great skin can be very expensive, so I suggest learning about your skin to avoid making expensive mistakes. Invest in a good cleanser, wash and sunscreen.Â
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Speaking of investing, it may seem counterintuitive at first but when it comes to clothing it is best to buy high-quality clothes that will last you longer than cheaper clothes. Also, thrift shopping and learning how to style the clothes you have will save you a lot of money. A few basic alterations can help with the fit of thrifted clothing.Â
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Finally, the most overlooked aspect of saving money is time. Understanding the value of how you spend your time is critical to saving money. For instance, you can avoid being late and having to catch an Uber instead of public transportation, or not preparing lunch and having to order in.Â
Last updated: Thursday, April 14, 2022
