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Money matters

By Andy Gregory on January 22, 2014

Student making online purchase

By Sam Horton, UBC student

Money is a common concern for students. Consider these tips for keeping your budget out of the red.

Categorize your expenses

1. The necessary

These are things that you’ll need to spend money on. They include food, clothing, textbooks, study materials, bedding, shower supplies and laundry supplies.

2. The helpful

These are things that you could consider buying, depending on your budget. They include a good umbrella, sturdy walking shoes, an alarm clock, basic cleaning supplies, a bicycle and a mini-fridge. Check for deals at UBC Bookstore.

3. The fun

These are expenses you might consider on weekends or your time off. They include AMS events, going to the movies, eating at restaurants, gym memberships, buying gifts for friends and family, or taking a trip to Whistler.

Ways to save

1. Get a job

I wanted the security of a steady income stream, so I got a part-time job. I worked at the Totem Park dining room in my first year, and it helped. Not only was I making money, I was working near home and the hours fit my academic schedule.

2. Use a drying rack

I recommend investing in an inexpensive rack to dry laundry in your room. You’ll avoid extra trips to the dryer and save some serious money, too. Let’s face it, the more you save on laundry, the more you have to spend on things that make you happy.

3. Choose cheaper

Fun activities will probably draw most of your cash, so consider your options carefully. Instead of going to the movie theatre, you could rent or download movies, or buy a UBC Film Society membership for cheap movies all year. And you probably don’t need to eat at top-rated restaurants. There are plen­ty of cheap, decent eateries within walking distance of campus. As for the gym, take advantage of the residence fitness rooms—they don’t require a membership.

 

Happy saving!

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  • Home
  • Getting Started
    ▼
    • Prospective Students
    • Returning Students
    • Graduate Students
    • Parents, Guardians and Families
    • Important Dates
  • Residences
    ▼
    • Residences Overview
    • Residences
      ▼
      • Acadia Park
      • Brock Commons – Tallwood House
      • Exchange
      • Fairview Crescent
      • Fraser Hall
      • Graduate Colleges
      • Iona House
      • Marine Drive
      • Orchard Commons
      • Place Vanier
      • Ponderosa Commons
      • Ritsumeikan-UBC House
      • tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ
      • Thunderbird
      • Totem Park
      • Walter Gage
    • Rooms & Suites
      ▼
      • Shared Room
      • Connected Single Room
      • Single Traditional Room
      • Six Bedroom Suite
      • Four Bedroom Suite
      • Three Bedroom Suite
      • Two Bedroom Suite
      • One Bedroom Suite
      • Studio Suite
      • Nano Suite
      • Townhouse
      • Student Families
    • Residence Map
    • Indigenous Names
      ▼
      • Musqueam Names at tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ
      • Indigenous Names at Totem Park
  • Applications
    ▼
    • Essential Application Facts
    • Important Dates
    • How To Apply
    • Fees & Payments
    • Eligibility
    • How We Assign Rooms
    • Residence Contracts
    • Cancellations
    • Refunds
    • Subletting
  • Dining
    ▼
    • Meal Plans
      ▼
      • Orchard Commons, Place Vanier & Totem Park
      • Suite-Style Residences
    • Where To Eat On Campus
  • Residence Life
    ▼
    • Residence Life Blog
    • Meet the Team
    • Community Living
      ▼
      • Rights and Responsibilities
      • Solving Problems
      • Living With Roommates
    • Residence Standards
    • Health & Safety
      ▼
      • Safety & Security
      • Health & Wellness
      • Counsellor in Residence
      • Fitness in Residence
      • Renter’s Insurance
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • COVID-19 Residence Rules
    • Services & Amenities
      ▼
      • Bed & Bath Linens
      • Sustainability Features
      • Residence Parking
    • Moving In
      ▼
      • Before You Leave Home
      • What Should I Pack?
      • Move In Day
      • Move In Market
      • Move In Day Volunteer Registration
      • Switches & Transfers
    • Get Involved
      ▼
      • Residence Programs
      • Professor in Residence
      • Grad Student Programs
    • Events
    • Student Family Housing
      ▼
      • Get Involved at Acadia Park
      • Moving In & Out of Acadia Park
    • Winter Break Residence Closure
      ▼
      • Welcome to your holidays in residence guide!
      • Your holidays in residence self-care guide!
    • Mindful Move Out
      ▼
      • Cleaning and departure checklists
  • Other Housing
    ▼
    • Living Off Campus
    • More Campus Housing
    • Visitor Housing
    • Commuter Student Hostel

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