Saving: You can do it!

Everybody knows that money is tight when you're a student. That's why you need to set priorities, sometimes even rethink your values. You'll quickly realize that you can get more for your money by watching your spending! Here are a few tips:

• Make a budget. It will help you keep your spending under control!
• If you live close to your school, use your bike when the weather's good to save on bus or metro fares.
• Take your lunch instead of eating at the cafeteria or a restaurant.
• Before you buy anything, ask yourself if (a) you really need it and (b) you can really afford it.
• Avoid impulse buys. Take time to think before you put your money down.
• If you've got a big purchase in mind, take the time to comparison shop. You'll be surprised at how much you can save.
• Watch for sales and take advantage of coupons.
• Ask yourself whether designer labels and brand names really make a difference when it comes to clothes, sports gear, or cars.
• Hit the thrift shops-they're fun, environmentally friendly, surprisingly well stocked and cheap!
• If you like reading magazines, set up a club with your friends. Subscribe to one publication each, then trade with each other every month. You can do the same thing with books, CDs and even clothes.
• Don't get hooked by sales with promotions like "Buy three, get one free!" Do you really need four of whatever it is? If you shop around and compare prices, you might find what you need at a better price elsewhere.
• Become a Chrome@dos member and, with our Desjardins Chromatic Savings plan, you’ll have money saved before you know it! You’ll also enjoy discounts at several participating merchants. Sign up for the Chrome@dos program, it’s free!

My Budget

Your income
Salary from part-time job:
Allowance:
Gifts or other:
Total:

Total income for the month:

Regular expenses
Food (meals, outings):
Transportation (bus, metro, taxi):
Recreation (movies, music, concerts, sports, etc.):
Loan payments (your parents, etc.):
Other:
Total:

Occasional expenses
Clothes:
Gifts:
School supplies:
Vacations:
Other:
Total:

Total expenses for the month:

Balance (income - expenses) =

If the result is positive, great! You can put money aside for your future plans. If it's negative, you'll have to take steps to turn things around like–cutting back on your spending, finding a part-time job, or putting your plans on hold.