Tuesday 26-03-2024 - 08:00

On March 8th, International Women’s Month would have been celebrated all over the globe, marking an incredible recognition to women in all sectors for their achievements and admiring positive influences. It is also imperative that finances play a big part in female success. Money can sometimes be very intimidating, especially for a student who is responsible for rent, bills, travel, etc. The Office for National Statistics found that 77% of adults in the UK are somewhat or very worried about rising costs. This is also reflected in our young persons' money index findings – 70% of female students reported feeling more anxious due to the cost-of-living crisis.it is important as women that we feel empowered in our finances, and with this comes taking control of our savings and budgeting and cutting costs when having expenses as a student...

Access to a budget planner (link):

Warren Buffett said: “Do not save what is left after spending but spend what is left after saving.”

Sticking to a budget isn’t always easy for anyone, but prioritising necessary expenditures and saving money while you can, leads to better management and tracking where your money is going.

KU’S Money Advice Team top tips:

1. It's important to keep track of your spending. Create a spreadsheet of your finances to see how much you have to spend each month or use apps such as Moneybox.

2. As a student on a strict budget, you'll need to be smart about food shopping, share the cooking with your living quarters, and plan your daily meals.

3. Reduce your travel costs with a TFL Oyster card or railcard to save 30% and take advantage of the free KU bus service!

4. Student deals and discounts are everywhere! Sign up for discounts at shops, bars, and clubs or on items through Nus and Totem.

5. Finally, most importantly, open a savings account to put away money either weekly or monthly after you have budgeted for short-term or long-term goals. You may be saving for getting a car or saving for life after university, but there are hundreds of useful resources like Save the Student or Money Saving Expert!

For Women's History Month, we would like to highlight specific scholarships for women (link).

Do you need any further advice or extra support? Contact the Money Advice Team: studentfunding@kingston.ac.uk