Undertaking tertiary education abroad can be daunting, thrilling, and pricey. Monetary support is seldom available to overseas students. In Australia, overseas students are restricted to 40 hours of employment per fortnight throughout semester. This makes accumulating savings quite difficult. Yet it remains achievable! Australia provides comparatively solid remuneration for employees, though several strategies exist to assist in building savings and avoiding living hand to mouth.
1. Shared Accommodation
Renting alone can prove quite costly throughout Australia. In Melbourne, a typical 1-bedroom flat costs around $300+/week or more. That's a considerable amount each month. Between education costs, restricted work availability, accommodation, and utilities, you'd struggle to put money aside. Yet, if you're open to flatting with others, it's an excellent way to reduce expenses. It's also a brilliant opportunity to connect with local residents.
2. Apply for Scholarships
While it might appear straightforward, many applicants don't bother. Speaking with mates, several mentioned they skipped it because they didn't reckon they'd succeed. Others figured it wouldn't matter much. Every dollar saved counts! Even a $500 award is $500 in your pocket. Don't overlook the modest grants—they accumulate quickly.
3. Side Hustles
The web has made generating side income quite straightforward. If MLM's appeal to you, give it a whirl. For me, it's not really my thing, so I rely on several apps to bring in a bit extra. Airtasker and Field Agent rank among my go-to choices. It's an excellent avenue for earning some added income throughout the month.
Related post: Apps That Help You Earn A Little Extra Money!
4. Meal Prep
In a city like Melbourne, it's remarkably difficult to resist dining out constantly. Fantastic food is available at every turn! However, it comes at quite a price. Even a quick visit to Macca's will set you back $15. Grab takeaway once daily throughout the week and those costs mount rapidly.
Australia boasts not just excellent dining establishments, but also brilliant farmers markets. Organising your meals in advance and purchasing from local markets will keep you financially ahead each week. Pro tip: If you shop at Coles or Woolies, arrive within half an hour of closing time. Most fresh produce gets steep discounts. MAXIMUM SAVINGS!!!
5. Utilise Coupons and Free Services
Discount vouchers and complimentary offerings are genuinely wonderful things! Absolutely! Facebook hosts some brilliant communities where you can score free beauty services, household items, and more at no charge whatsoever.
Those fuel discounts from supermarkets deserve your attention. Though they might seem modest, every saving matters. Groupon (it's still going strong) is a great platform for deals on fitness classes, vehicle servicing, weekend trips, and other experiences. Leverage your student ID for reductions at galleries, public transport, matches, and activities. There's absolutely no point paying standard rates. Guard your cash wisely!
Related post: How I Afford to Travel
Bonus Tip: Budget Tracking Software
Plenty of fantastic applications are available to download through both Apple and Android platforms to keep you within your spending limits. Many integrate with your bank account, allowing you to spot when you've overspent or made budgeting errors. If you prefer a digital approach over manual record-keeping, applications are your best option!
Until we meet again...
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