I’d say that I have never been particularly “well off”. I went to private school for Primary school, but that was because my parents moved to the area too late for state schools. Also, I ended up having to leave in year 9 because there we could no longer afford it. I feel like my parents always have had enough to look after me and my sister and maintain our house/food etc. However, they taught me the value of money, and for that reason, I’ve been quite good at managing it.
I’m now in my third year of University and I’ve never gone into my overdraft. It’s not because I’m rich, and it’s not because my parents constantly bail me out, I’m just very good at budgeting. I’m realistic about how much I have to spend, and I have a good balance between being strict and allowing myself to have nice things. However, it doesn’t mean I never worry.
My breakdown
Staring at my pre-emptive budget spreadsheet for the term, I realised that things were going to be a lot tighter than usual. I’m living in a house of 4 instead of 5 with the same sort of priced bills, I live further away from everything so travelling costs more, my gym membership has increased in price, and the loan I get has decreased. I wasn’t exactly going to suffer when it came to food, but things were shaping up to be a lot more expensive than previous years. I was crying down the phone to my mother, a little deflated by it all, and she gave me the usual “You know, we’re always here to help if you really need it” speech.
The issue was though, I don’t really need help. Part of my breakdown was a product of guilt, because me crying about money felt like such a first world problem. I have enough money for food. I have enough money to pay bills and rent. In theory, that’s all that I need. What was stressing me out is that I wouldn’t have enough to treat myself to the occasional takeaway, or trip to see my boyfriend (Long distance sucks), or winter clothing item. Don’t get me wrong, I really don’t shop that much at all. However, it was stressing me out knowing that I had no leeway to.
Is that selfish? I felt so bad crying in the first place, because there are obviously people in worse positions to me. And like I said, I know that if things ever got bad to the point where I couldn’t afford to pay for food or bills, my parents would be there to bail me out. However, I couldn’t help the stress that I felt, and I’ve never been in a position of worry like that before. After some calming down and some readjusting, I realised that I was going to be fine… But yeah, it was all a foreign concept for me.
The Logic
Whenever I have a breakdown, I lose all sense of logic. Then, after the tears and the panic attack, I calm down, evaluate the situation, and realise that things aren’t going to be as bad as I thought they were. In this situation I was able to lay out the following things.
- I like walking more than I used to. I live near a bus stop and get student prices. Getting around will be fine.
- I online shop once, maybe twice, in a Uni term. I’m really not going to lose as much as I think.
- I’m a student. Though I may put pressure on myself to save, nobody else is putting that pressure on me.
- Yes, I put all of my blog earnings straight into a savings account, but that money is there to dip into if I need it.
- I get student discount and there are always sales. If I really need to shop, there are ways to.
The Discounts
Since being a student I have greatly used the beauty that is student discount to my advantage. I’m a bargain hunter, and it is very rare that I buy something at complete full price, with no deal involved. It’s become quite a skill of mine; one that I’m particularly proud of. Therefore, when latest deals asked if I would work with them on a post, it seemed like a no brainer*.
Latest deals are a website where you can search products, and it will show you the deals available from a bunch of retailers, so you can find the best price. For example, if you’re looking for a Garmin like this, you can compare how much John Lewis, Currys/PC World, Amazon and more would charge for their version. Essentially, it’s a place to do the discount hunting that people like me were doing anyway, without having to check each website individually.
The Plan
I can make it through this year money-wise. In all honesty, it’s not going to be as bad as I thought, I just had a slight panic. I don’t spend as much as I think I do, I just like to have a little extra space, but that’s not needed. I have deals and sales if I really want to save money, with sites like the Latest deals making it easy for everyone.
Hope you enjoyed this, I wasn’t sure about posting it, because of the guilt that I felt (Mentioned earlier). Let me know what you think in the comments!
Lots of love,
Jas xx
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I don’t think it’s selfish at all that you were concerned about money and I don’t think anyone else’s situations need to come into the question because this is yours and that’s all that matters but it’s great that you’ve got into a good habit of budgeting at a young age and being aware and cautious with money 🙂 xx
Thanks Jenny! I’m so glad you think that I wasn’t being selfish
Jas xx
I 100% get this. When I lost my job in May I had to live off my savings but after two months I ended up panicking to my parents about money! I complete relate to the weird guilt that comes when they say they’ll pay your rent or help you out. We are very lucky though; that iur parents *can* help if we needed, so many people don’t have that. X
Glad (but also sorry) that you could relate! It’s such a weird guilty feeling, but we all deserve to feel the way that we feel!
Jas xx
I think it’s perfectly natural to have a wobble about money it can be overwhelming at times but it’s great to see you have a plan and to be looking on the positive side. It’s about being sensible really.
Rachael | https://rachaelstray.com/
Thank you Rachael! Yeah, I’ve found that logic makes all the difference.
Jas xx
I loved reading this, because it’s so insightful. I really hope things are ok for you – you sound like a lovely, positive and careful person, so I’m sure they will be.
Tracy xxx
https://bloggerbythesea.com
Thank you so much Tracy, that really means a lot!
Jas xx
I think it’s perfectly normal to feel a bit overwhelmed and scared if your circumstances change. The main thing is that you talked about it with someone and have a plan now. I found out I have to pay for my next semester sooner than I had budgeted for, and my initial reaction was to worry, but the best thing is to work out the finances and how you’re going to do things. For me, having that plan there helps to get any negative emotions under control. 🙂
Yeah, I’m trying not to be too hard on myself now and convince myself that the wobble was normal. I’m glad that you were able to come up with a plan for your semester payment!
Jas xx
As a student myself, I totally relate to this. I try my best to spend my monthly allowance wisely and treat myself to something new while I’m attending college.
I’m glad that you could relate! It’s nice to be able to treat yourself every once in a while
Jas xx
This is soo relatable! I always used to stress about money when I was a student (a mere few months ago) as there were constant expenses for travel as well as lunch etc and it can add up! but like you say there are ways to budget and find good deals so it’s more affordable and less of a panic haha. Thanks for sharing! x
It really does add up! Thanks for reading and commenting,
Jas xx
It’s 100% not selfish my lovely! Money is a massive worry for so many of us, you’re not alone, as long you’re good with the budgetting I think you will be just fine my darling!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Thank you so much lovely <3
Jas xx
It’s really not selfish to worry about money, especially at uni. Everyone’s in different situations with different outgoings, so it makes sense that there’s different levels to be concerned about. Budgeting is a good way to fix that though I agree.
Megan // https://pixieskiesblog.wordpress.com
Thank you so much! Yeah, after reading everyone’s comments I feel a lot less selfish.
Jas xx
I think *most* people in their lives do worry about money and its fine to, i’ve had so many breakdowns because i’ve either not been able to find a job or spent all my student loan and i think it’s just a thing in life which a lot of people will go through, forever wishing i could budget my money well though!
Im a student too and i know exactly what you mean! I get so stressed out about money and try so hard to budget my money as well! Your ideas are great!
Awwww thank you!
Jas xx
I freak out about money all the time and it’s not that I don’t have it, it’s just that I don’t currently have a job right now while in school, so seeing my bank account constantly decreasing no matter what I do hits pretty hard. I think I really need to set a stricter budget for myself though. I’m really good at not making big purchases or impulse shopping, etc., but when it comes to smaller things like stopping to get food on my way home instead of cooking or spending a little bit here and there on coffee, I’m not so good at controlling myself. That’s something I really need to work on. Great post!
Yeah, I think watching my bank account do nothing but decrease is what stresses me out too. I find that little food things are my biggest purchases too!
Jas xx
It’s not selfish to be concerned about money at all and I feel like it’s a very taboo subject. Everyone always jokes about students being skint but no one realises the pressures on some students, we sacrifice a lot to make ends meet at times. Personally I spent summer having to pull as much over time as I could because my boyfriend lost his job. Our lease was long term so moving home wasn’t an option, it was so stressful. I hope you are feeling a bit better about things now!
Yeah, I really think people underestimate the pressure that we’re under as students.
Jas xx
I have to agree with you that although I always had what I needed growing up, my parents always made sure I know the value of my money. This sometimes means I have the do I WANT this or do I actually NEED this conversation with myself often when debating if I should get something.
The greatest thing about being a student is there being student discounts; Latest Deals seems like such a perfect website for people looking to save, and since you mentioned Garmin, I’ve been debating getting one for my running!
I hope everything will be fine for you this year, student discounts are an actual blessing that are absolutely everywhere, thankfully!
Sahara
http://saharas-dreams.blogspot.com
Awwww thank you so much! Hope you find a good Garmin!
Jas xx
This was interesting and I think something a lot can relate to, we like to have extra cushion money to enjoy life and do things besides just go to school & work! I totally can understand where you come from here.
Glad you can relate!
Jas xx
Money is always a stressor–don’t feel bad for worrying; be proud of yourself for coming up with a really good plan!
Thank you so much!
Jas xx
It’s not selfish at all! Any lifestyle changes are difficult to adjust to, even if they’re small. I was in a position where my parents had to pay my rent when I was at uni (which was their plan all along anyway). My loan covered less than half the cost of my accommodation and my uni schedule was 9-5 everyday for the first two years. Even with all the will in the world, a part time job would never have paid me enough to even put a roof over my head never mind living expenses. But I never got an overdraft, even when my bank offered one and I managed my budget well. I always worked out how much I had to spend each week/ month and could plan my necessary expenses and treats accordingly x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
I’m in the exact same position – my loan also covers less than half od the costs. I also refuse to get an overdraft!
Jas xx
I completely relate to this post and am actually even more ridiculous than you because I give myself a hard time if I’m not saving enough that month, it’s so illogical and definitely a first world problem but when it comes to money I’m a bit of a control freak!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
I’m a control freak too!
Jas xx
Money is such a painful thing – I go from feeling fully in control to moments of ‘I have no idea what I’m doing’ and it’s so hard when you’re a student!
Yeah, I agree! It’s so hard when you’re a student!
Jas xx
I’m so glad you shared your experience because I feel like a lot of people are not able to do that! Also, can totally relate to the whole having a mental breakdown and then realizing the situation wasn’t as bad as I was thinking it out to be haha!
xx
Awwww thank you so much!
Jas xx
It’s always nice to see young adults being rockstars with budgeting. Finances can be tough sometimes but it takes a lot of mental preparation and strength to stick to something you plan. Sometimes, we need that breakdown to get us up and doing something. YEsss take advantage of discounts!!! Keep it up with your budgeting!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
Thanks so much Nancy!
Jas xx
I think it is perfectly normal to worry about money, especially if your circumstances change. From what you wrote, I think you are wise when it comes to spending money.
Thank you so much!
Jas xx
Thank you for being so brutally honest in this post. I just recently came from a similar transition, I think it’s more about losing control rather than being selfish. Sometimes it helps to just let it out and like you said the situation doesn’t seem as bad after you cry. I wish you all the best dear!
Awwww I’m so glad you could relate, thank you for reading and also your kind words!
Jas xx