How To Pinch Pennies While Werking Part-Time & Studying Your Tushy Off

PEDESTRIAN.TV has teamed up with Tafe Queensland to get y’all chasing yo’ dreams, because we don’t reckon you should wait to make great happen, no matter how big or small. Together, we’re offering one of y’all a paid, week-long, all-inclusive internship at P.TV HQ – a great way to hustle career-wise AND make cash. Keep reading to learn some ace saving tips + how you can land the internship before sussing Tafe Queensland’s courses HERE.

Yep, it brings me no pleasure to confirm that the rumours are in fact true: attempting to save while you’re studying + working part-time is an offensively heinous activity. The reason for this kinda / sorta has something to do with the whole, “I’m an adult now and need to pay them bills whilst working limited hours so I’ve got enough time up my sleeve to study / avoid insanity from a lack of social interaction.” 
It’s a big ol’ Catch 22, ain’t it? You’re not making money so you can learn to do something to facilitate the eventual making of money. 
Living pay cheque to pay cheque obviously removes the ability to tuck some moola away for that vaycay (or whatever) you’ve been dreaming of, so we’ve compiled some sound advice on how you can save in conditions that’d normally prevent it.
COP LIVING WITH YOUR ‘RENTS 
As most 20-somethings will agree, try and withstand living in your family abode for as long as humanly possible. Yeah, getting told to clean your room gets old (as well as the nagging “WHERE ARE YOU” texts at 2AM when you’re doing your thang at the club), but generally speaking it’s the best set-up a financially fledgling student could ask for.  
Consider the average amount you’d likely spend on rent if you were to move out, halve that number (‘cos you should obviously treat yo’self a lil’ if you’ve got spare cash to splash) and dedicate that figure from your weekly pay straight into yer savings account. 
$$$ NEVER SEEN = $$$ NEVER MISSED
Those who’ve done their dash on the rental scene + pay their rent via an automatic deduction don’t miss the money they’re forking out to keep a roof over their heads. Sure, when you take a step back and look at the total sum you pay annually, it can be a shock to the system – but day-to-day, you don’t miss that cash the way you would if you just blew your entire wage on clothes.
This boils down to rent being viewed as a mandatory expense – just your average cost of living, etc. Because your wage goes in and your rent comes out in one foul swoop, you kinda forget that it’s happening. You don’t think, “I’ve got $600 I can spend this week minus rent.” You approach it like, “I’ve got $400 to spend this week.” That’s because money never seen = money never missed
Shift your attitude and start looking at saving as an expense. Additionally, start an automatic transfer from your week’s pay to a saving account (potentially with an entirely different bank that you have self-imposed restrictions of accessing). You won’t be grieving over that $50 that’s gone towards your nest egg if you never considered it money you could spend anyway, right? 

PAYING ON TIME & FEELING FINE
Paying yo’ bills and rent when it’s due will:
1. Aid in keeping track of how much moola you have at your disposal for that week / fortnight / month.
2. Help you avoid those darn late payment charges.
3. Get your credit rating healthier than Gwyneth Paltrow’s bodily excretions.
Chuck those extra dollars you’ve saved into a place where you can’t touch ’em. 
GET AROUND YOUR ENTITLEMENTS 
Thankfully, large / small organisations nation-wide recognise the struggle that is paying your way while undertaking tertiary education (thanks guys <3). Think: restaurants, bars, banks, cinemas and on-campus establishments.
Utilising student offers means you’ll be able to affordably maintain a somewhat entertaining lifestyle (to stave off study burnout) and pocket your savings for a rainy day. 
CUT ALL OF THE COSTS
Wanna know the best way to save money? NOT SPENDING IT.
:O
Here’s a few costs you should have a crack at reducing where possible so you can get that savings account in a solid place. 
Brunching & Lunching 
As a chronic lunch-buyer, I recognise how costly it is to not make a hella decent but el cheapo sanga at home. I’ve had long runs, however, of prepping lunch at home the night before, and the difference it makes is massive. Note to self: start making lunch at home again, you idiot. 
Point A -> Point B
Between fuel and paid parking, driving solo to your place of study can chew up a bit of your income. That being said, the convenience of cruising in leisurely while cranking JLO’s Love Don’t Cost A Thing is an option that’s hard to deny yourself. 
Put your feelers out during your first week of study to see if anyone lives near you, and either head on in with them, or pick ‘em up on the way. Most are happy to split the costs of fuel / parking, because feels. 
If your only option is flying solo, then do yourself a solid and take flight on a bus or train. Yes, it’s a mission, but your wallet will give you a big ol’ thank you. 
Pre-Loved Books
Unless you experience a spiritual affinity with your semesters’ text book, odds are you’ll never pick it up again. That feeling is mutual amongst your peers, who’re likely to flog them online or at your place of study for a heavily reduced cost. 
Sure, there’s nothing quite like deeply inhaling the scent of a new book, but save the cash and spend it on a text you’ll read time and time again – not from something you’re having to purchase as a mandatory. 
So yeah, by cutting a few corners here and there you’ll be right as rain finically. 
But what about career growth? How can you ensure all your study will pay off? Well, by getting some work experience under your belt, of course – and why work / gain experience for free when you can get paid for it? If that’s tickling your fancy, then get around our all-inclusive, epic internship at P.TV HQ by enter the below competition:
In the interim, don’t wait to make great by heading to TAFE Queensland’s website HERE
Photo: The Simple Life. 

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