Get an A+ in finance minus the studying, plus the Wise Jars

I’ve already delved into the student world covering important topics like, how international students heading to the UK need to mentally prepare for the British pub chain that is Wetherspoons. And the best places to live as a student based on affordability, safety and where you’ll have the most lol’s.

Now I’m going to inspire you to do what I didn’t do for myself back in the day, be smart with money on a student budget.

Side note: I just calculated how long ago “back in the day” was (because I’m good at numbers now) and have begun to cry.

But I’ll wipe the tears off of my keyboard and power through, because your money management skills take priority over my dramatics 🥲

Money’s always tight when you’re studying. Whether you’re working a side job, on student finance and loans or working with a tight allowance, you’re going to have to be a finance aficionado.

Luckily, Wise can help make saving, spending and staying on top of things easy. I’ll take you through

• Some 10/10 hacks
• What products and features can take you from zero to hero
• And finally, the crème de la crème of saving - how to organise your Wise Jars

✨OMG, show me the light ✨

Saving hacks

Before I propel you into a financial awakening, our compliance team has made me promise to say the following “this is not financial advice, merely suggestions, and I’m not an authority over this topic, I’m not even an authority over myself.” Let us begin.

1) Budget

Yes, you’re at University now. Hello independence. But Uni is sort of fake independence. It’s independence without the 9 to 5 job and full-time salary, so pull together a spreadsheet with all of your income and outgoings. Looking at everything - bills, food, uni books, coffees you should really be making at home. Start with the necessities and then you can see how much wiggle room there is for the fun stuff.

2) The supermarket is not your fridge

The “weekly shop” is a term thrown around by creatures of the adult world, along with “meal prep.” It may sound obnoxious and show offy, but it’s the answer to impulse buying and overspending. Make a plan of what you’re going to need for the week so you can keep your cupboard and fridge stocked up. And while you’re at it, supermarkets often have “own brand’ products that are cheaper than their big branded alternatives, but taste just as nice. Or twice as nice. Or less nice.

3) Get cooking good looking

Learning to cook is the best thing you can do for your bank account and before you know it you’ll go from seasonless chicken breast to dinner party goddess.

4) Transport of the public variety

You’re fabulous and you will be carted around by a chauffeur one day after you nail your degree, but for now, get yourself on public transport. Do some investigating before you buy a ticket for a bus, tram or train because a lot of countries offer student discounts or even free travel for students.

5) Vouchers, discounts and deals

All it takes is some internet browsing and having a few chats with other students to suss out all of the best deals on offer. Restaurants, shops, cinemas, museums, theatre’s pretty much all have reduced prices for your studious little soul. So you can see the sights for half the price while smugly eating 2 for the price of 1 pizza.

6) Get hustling

If you haven’t got a part-time job on the side, your university may be able to help you find one. You could pick up a place working for the student union, find a local cafe to apply to, or partake in an internship, or if you’re a young genius under the age of 20 take a look at Wise’s 20 under 20 innovators who started international businesses for ideas.

7) Use Wise

You knew it was coming…

If you’re an international student or keeping it local, here’s how we can help:

1) Get set up with a Wise card

• Sign up in minutes without kazillion things to submit
• Have access to over 40 currencies in one account
• Avoid hidden fees and high exchange rates
• Save and spend like a local around the world
• Set up Google or Apple Pay
• Create up to three digital cards a day, with different card details for safer spending online and in-person - Think - Netflix subscriptions, accommodations bills, Deliveroo.
• Have a birds eye view over all of your money via the App or website
• Take money out for free at ATMs up to a certain limit when abroad
• Freeze and unfreeze your card instantly if you lose it

2) Send and receive money

If you’re studying away from home and need to send or receive money we’re nine times cheaper than leading banks, only use the mid-market exchange rate with no sneaky mark ups for profit, and we lay it all out in the open.
Pick between transfer speeds, use our competitor tool to see if we’re more affordable and sit back and chill…because 50% of our transfers are totally instant and the rest take anywhere from 24 hours to 2 working days.

Pssstt, check out our Terms of Use to see what features you can get your hands on in your region, and give our Wise Fees & Pricing a visit if you just love numbers and want to know more.

3) But we’re here to talk Jars, Wise Jars

Wise Jars sit in your Wise account totally separate from your balance so you’re not at risk of spending the money you’ve put aside. You can create as many of them as you want and add or take out money at any time. Now doesn’t that sound nice? You can name them and add in a wild emoji or two. Since there are endless Jars and endless naming possibilities, I’ve compiled a list of Jarspiration for you...

Rent 😴

Books and supplies 👀

Late night kebabs 🤢

Supermarket hero 🦸

I really shouldn’t Uber 🚕

Bills, bills, bills 🥲

Party pants 💃

Travel ✈️

Loans 💸

In case of emergency 🚨

We’ve reached the end, and it’s time for you to fly the nest and prosper. Hopefully you’ve taken something from this article, and if you haven’t and you’re a late savings bloomer like me, I suggest you read this again.

I’m ready to get Wise