Budgeting doesn’t have to be boring

Let’s drop the idea that budgeting means spreadsheets and saying no to everything fun. A good budget shows you where your money’s going so you’re not caught off guard when your bank app starts acting dramatic.

Thankfully, some tools make budgeting fun (who knew?). Apps like Buddy, a money and budget planner, turn the whole thing into more of an interactive activity than a tedious admin task. And if you prefer to learn by listening, podcasts like She’s on the Money and How to Money make financial advice feel more like a casual chat with friends.

Cook more, spend less

Ordering takeaway is fun until you realise you’ve spent half your weekly budget on pizza and delivery fees. Cooking at home is one of the best money saving tips for uni students, even if you don’t know where to start.

Go for recipes you can cook in bulk and put in a fridge for the next 2-3 days. Think soup, pasta, fried rice and stir-fries – anything that reheats well and fills you up. Needing inspiration? Check out our cheap and easy recipes, perfect for students.

If you’re living off-campus in a share house, sharing and cooking meals with housemates or friends can also make things cheaper because you’ll be splitting the cost of groceries.

Student discounts here to save the day

Being a student comes with perks. One of the best student money tips out there? Flash that student ID at every opportunity.

• Sign up for student discount apps UNiDAYS and Student Edge to get discounts on clothes, tech, food and more.
• Streaming services like Spotify and YouTube Premium offer cheaper plans for students.
• Apple has an education store for students, offering special pricing on MacBooks, iPads and more.
• Many places around Canberra give student rates, including cinemas, public transport, galleries and even some hairdressers.
• Not a discount, but still a solidified student perk are the bountiful opportunities to find free and/or affordable food options around the ANU campus. All you have to do is show up and show that you’re an enrolled student

Keep your eye out and don’t hesitate to ask for student discounts or opportunities to save with your student ID card. You never know what deals are floating around town.

Opt for pre-loved textbooks

Textbooks and academic texts may be a university requirement, but you do not have to buy every text book brand-new each time. They can be a pricey purchase and sometimes you may need multiple textbooks each semester.

More often than not, you can find second-hand textbooks online and copies of spreads in libraries. If you have friends who have previously completed your course, you can ask to borrow their old book if they still have it, or you can share a textbook with somebody else in your course to save costs.

In some circumstances, your course may have a reading brick. Reading bricks provide all the required readings and save students having to buy multiple textbooks. Your specific ANU college determines which courses need reading bricks, so it is worth checking this before you enrol each semester.

Park the car and take alternative travel

Canberra is super walkable and bike-friendly, especially around ANU. If you have the capacity, choosing to walk or cycle over driving and rideshares can save you heaps over a semester.

Public transport can also be a solid option. MyWay+ is Canberra’s official public transport system, which includes bus and light rail travel. You can easily tap on with your phone (using Apple Pay), physical bank card, MyWay+ card or printed ticket. If you get a student MyWay+ card it will save you money on every trip – with each ride costing $1.66.

Side hustles without the burnout

If your schedule allows, picking up a casual job can give you some breathing room and extra independence.

The team of career consultants and employer engagement experts at ANU Careers & Employability help students at ANU grow relevant skills and career plans, build job applications and search for aligned job opportunities. The team takes appointments on campus and you can book online if you have active ANU student credentials.

Canberra is a great place to find work as a student, with opportunities across all kinds of industries and roles. That includes retail, hospitality, freelance gigs and paid internships at cultural institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best student jobs in Canberra, all in one spot, so you won’t have to search far to find something that fits.

Embrace the student lifestyle at ANU

Uni life is full of freebies, from food to workshops, exhibitions and fitness classes. ANU puts on a lot around campus, and so do clubs, societies and student groups. Follow a few social pages, sign up to mailing lists and you’ll be surprised how often free things pop up.

Taking advantage of the free stuff means you can still do fun things without blowing your budget. Plus, you’ll probably meet a few new people along the way.

Know when it’s a want, not a need

That new bag charm, the fourth streaming service, the snack run that turns into a full shop – spending is often more about convenience or boredom than necessity. It happens to everyone. One way to stay on top of it? Pause before buying and ask yourself, do I actually need this right now? Or just want it because it’s there?

No need to overthink every purchase, but a quick gut-check can help you avoid spending on things you don’t even remember the next day.