Budgeting for Back to School
Heading back to school means that belts need to tighten. This occasion is particularly interesting to me this year as I'm a married man in my early 30's. My wife and I are relocating; settling down from the road to New York City; and there are precautions we need to live by. Of course there are universal drills for every person who's going to school to live by; be they back to school or just continuing the legend from their previous springs senior year in high school.
Keep Occupied During the Summer: One of the easiest things to do during the summer months is kick back and just hang out. While this may be preferable for just graduated high schoolers, it's not the way to begin your college career generally. Most kids these days need to work; doing something; to keep up their spending during the school year. One of the best ways to attack this problem which will arise in the fall is to begin by keeping busy during the summer. Even if you're 100% academic and getting a free ride through college; that doesn't' come free. Getting some professional experience in your strengths or interests by maybe getting some kind of an internship keeps you geared for fall.
Get a Job in the Fall: Of course working is not what most of us want to do, but it is what most of us end up having to do. When you've gotten a job during the fall this will not only keep your mind and body active and alert, it will also keep you with fresh cash on hand that you're earning week after week. Make sure not to overload on the work stuff and make sure that your job is aware that you're in school (so that you can bow out of shifts if things get too tight). But keeping a part time job is a good idea for anyone in school. It keeps your mind and your budget sharp.
Live Off an Allowance: Another thing you can do to keep your spending under wraps is live on a budget. Hopefully you will have housing covered (i.e. on campus or at home) and if you are in either of these situations you will be on some kind of a meal plan. But with the rising costs of gas, school supplies, and other unexpected diversions from earning money, living off of an allowance is helpful for budgeting your school year.
Eye on the Ball: Of course you've got to remember the reason you're in school. Whatever that reason is, make sure not to lose focus of that goal. It can be very easy to get distracted by friends and freedom and the no punishment when you don't go to class. Keep yourself focused and you will be in a much better spot for your back to school life. And you won't be like me and still in school in your 30's.
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Published by Jesse Schmitt
Back in New York. Still searching. View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentGood luck, Jesse. cheers ;)
Great advise. I am trying not to think about the school year. I got two going now (one in 6th grade and the other in preschool) - double the amount of spending to do.