I think from an early age I realized that I was never going to have an abundance of money, so holding back from spending and saving it for when I really need it hasn't been so difficult. Years ago, I would just need money for the chinese that I intended to scoff in one of my friend's houses that weekend or to buy some clothes just for the sake of going into town every once in a while. What I'm saying is that, the money I had was mine until I spent it on something that I wanted. Bear in mind, the cash that I somehow accumulated was just through babysitting jobs or my parents occasionally giving me some.
Almost two years ago I was so thankfully awarded a grant to go into university with. Even with this (much appreciated) help, college threw me into the deep end of a pool which was constantly depleting bank digits, no matter how hard I tried to save. I'm no economical genius or finance tycoon but I've managed to keep my head above the water and I can confidently say that I think I'll finish my course despite all the arrears that I'm in.
During the process of me becoming a fancy schmancy collegiate, I've figured out ways in which I can kind of relieve some if not a lot of the pressure that I so often experience.
- The 'Holy Divinity' that is the Student Leapcard
I often choose the latter option because I don't think the people in my lecture would appreciate me coughing my heart out nor the suckling of an inhaler. So four buses a day (sometimes more if I'm feeling particularly lazy, and I don't want to walk from one campus to the other), you think, would cost a bomb.The good good people behind the Leapcard set it up so students can't spend more than €5 a day and
€20 a week, providing you solely use the bus. I hate saying this, but €80 a month on bus fares actually isn't that bad. The dart is more expensive, and so if you even use your leapcard once to tag on at a station, the cap changes to the dart terms. Which is €30 a week, subsequently €120 a month.
At the beginning, I didn't really care how I got to a place once I got there on time. Now, however pathetic it sounds, I've realized how important that extra €40 in my bank account is at the end of the month. If you're not already availing of a student leap card and inflicting the pain of adult fares on yourself, stop and get one.
- Books, reading material and more books
My course is split between Media and English, two subjects that demand I spend my days reading and exasperatingly wondering how my brain hasn't dribbled out of my ears. I'm one of those really slow, really annoying readers that has to read off a physical piece of paper. Audiobooks and Ebooks just don't do it for me.
My saving graces have been... Book Depository & Chapters Bookstore , located on Parnell Street.For a fraction of the price that you'll spend on maybe one or two books in Easons or other bookshops alike, you can get more than five for the same price in Chapters, I guarantee you. I get the majority of my reading material upstairs in the secondhand section where you can find books in perfect condition for €2 or €3.
- Depop
Depop is an app similar to that of Etsy and Ebay, however I find it so much more straightforward than those. It's a huge shopping community that allows you to 'buy, sell, discover and explore the most inspiring and unique things'. I mainly use the site to buy clothes and sell my own because I'm all too guilty of purchasing items that end up inhabiting the darkest corners of my wardrobe never to see the light of day again. It's fool-proof and issues that do arise are quickly solved. It advises you too, so purchases can be carried out effortlessly.
I've accumulated a good bit of money through this app and good bit of wardrobe space too, as well as acquiring some nice new pieces myself. If you're interested in selling your clothes rather than throwing them out, I can't recommend it enough. The first few visits to the post office is just a little bit cringe, but after a while they'll no doubt think you're some online big shot, which you totally have the opportunity to be on this app.
- Take advantage of ALL of the discounts
Call me meager, I don't care. I urge you to flash your student card. Last year, I didn't do it because I was embarrassed but I have no idea why. So many places cater for students nowadays and are happy to accustom cheaper rates and discounts.
ASOS - 10% OFF
SCHUH - 10% OFF, but for some reason I think it's 20% off in stores.
URBAN OUTFITTERS - 10% OFF
PRETTY LITTLE THING - 20% OFF
TOPSHOP - 10% OFF
NEW LOOK - 10% OFF
SPOTIFY - €4.99 for a monthly subscription
Those are just a few of the discounts that I've used before, but there's also reduced prices when it comes to cinema screenings and bus/train tickets.
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Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed! Just a 'filler' post to help me get back in the swing of things.
Lauren
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