
University and college campuses are popular advertising spots for credit card companies.

Your income may come from personal savings or from working while going to school. When making your budget for student life, consider where your money will come from. You may want to consider making a new budget for each year that you’re a student. Remember to include these increases in costs when making a budget for student life. In recent years, the average rate of inflation in Canada has been 2% per year. Inflation is the rising cost of consumer goods and services. The cost of your books and living expenses may increase due to inflation. Your tuition and living costs may rise each year that you’re a student. You may be able to save money on these costs by using student discount cards. To reduce these costs, look for ways to save by focusing on what you need instead of what you want. Entertainment costsĮntertainment, clothing and cell phone costs are examples of other expenses you’ll need to consider. Many of these discounts are available with the International Student Identity Card. Most airlines, bus companies and passenger trains offer discounts to students. If you live away from home, make sure to include the cost of going home for a visit or summer vacation. You may find that taking public transit is much cheaper than driving to school every day. Also, consider the cost of gas for getting to and from school each day. If you have a car, check your school website to see how much you’ll have to pay for parking. Some schools provide students with transit passes as part of tuition fees. If you need to use public transit to get to school, check the price of a public transit pass. Contact your school for more information on these plans. Many schools also offer meal plans for students living off campus. Ask about student discounts whenever you shop. Some grocery stores offer student deals on certain days of the week.

Make sure you include the cost of meals in your budget. Living with roommates is a way to reduce all these costs. Remember to consider the cost of heat, electricity, Internet and tenant’s insurance. For example, rent in a small town in Nova Scotia may be much less than in downtown Toronto. The cost of living off campus will depend on where you study. Some school websites provide estimated costs for living off campus. Choosing to live with your family while you study could cut your living expenses by thousands of dollars a year. This could mean living with roommates, living on your own or living with your family. You may choose to live off campus rather than in residence. Consider living in a shared residence room because shared rooms often cost less than single rooms.

If you plan to live on campus, check student residence and meal plan costs on your university or college website. How much you spend on living expenses will have a big impact on your financial situation when you finish your studies. using an older edition of the textbook if possible.checking your school library to see if any of the course material is available to borrow.sharing textbooks with roommates or classmates, if practical.getting the electronic version of course materials such as textbooks and articles.buying textbooks from online retailers that may offer items at a lower price than the campus bookstore.To reduce the costs of books and other course materials consider doing the following: Check with your school or with someone already enrolled in your program for a more accurate estimate. Approximately, $800 to $1,000 per year is a reasonable estimate for undergraduate students. The cost of books and other course materials depends on your program and school. You may have to provide proof that you have private health insurance coverage from another source. Most schools require you to opt out during the first few weeks of the school year. Check with your school to see if you're eligible. If you have private health insurance coverage with your job or family, you may be able to opt out of your school’s coverage. This insurance covers medical or dental costs not covered by your provincial or territorial health insurance. Private health insurance coverage is usually included in student fees.
