By : Mr. Mohamad Ashaari Awab

You and financial, some people believe that money is everything. Everything is possible if you have money. Everything is easy if you have money. You can buy everything if you have money. Would you agree with these words? Yes, generally, many people would agree, however, money is not everything. As it turns out, money is not the only thing that guarantees happiness, but what actually brings us happiness and peace is the way we manage our finances. 

 

Touching on the subject of managing finances, managing finances are divided into a few methods that are still unknown by university students. Among them are:

 

1. Writing down Cash Flow

 

Generally, for every semester, university students would usually get education loans, scholarships or allowances from FAMA (father and mother). Now, there are several Cash Flow applications that you can download from Apps Store or Google Play. All students have to do is write down and take note of their daily cash flow. In turn, this will directly help you be aware of your financial status and you can recheck and revisit your expenses and determine whether the items you have bought were truly necessary.

 

2. Prioritise academic-related purchases over others

 

As a student, academic needs are your main priorities. Settle all your academic-related purchases first, and then save the balance for other needs. 

 

3. Food

 

Food is a necessity, however, there are many types of food that come in different prices. As a student, you have to be smart about your expenses. For food, avoid spending your money on food that is too expensive, such as food at the mall, when the quality and overall nutrients are the same as food at a much cheaper place. Remember that food is a necessity but if you buy it because it’s trendy or because of want, then it’s no longer a necessity. Because of this, your money will be used for things you don’t actually need and in the future, can cause you difficulties when you need to spend on things that you actually need. 

 

4. Purchases

 

Books are one of the most important academic purchases for a student. Academic books could be expensive and could cost a lot for a student. However, there are ways to save money when purchasing academic books. Among them is buying second-hand books from past seniors. However, be sure to check that the contents are similar to what you would need to use for class. You should also avoid buying from convenience stores if you’re hungry because it can cause you to buy too many varieties of food especially when you’re running on an empty stomach.

 

5. Sell things you no longer need

 

There are several websites on the internet that allow you the space and platform to sell your used goods such as Mudah.my. This is a good opportunity  for you to sell your used goods such as shoes, clothes, headscarves and many others. You can also sell your used academic books to your juniors who are taking the same course and who might need them for future classes.

 

6. Accommodation

 

You should try your best to stay at the university dorms or housing. This can help you save electricity, internet, furniture and other accommodation bills. However, if the university has limited accommodation which causes you to rent outside of the university, try to find a rental place that has complete basic furnitures such as a washing machine and a refrigerator. With a washing machine inside the house, you can wash your own clothes and you won’t need to spend too much money on laundry services. A refrigerator is also important to help you save money regarding food expenses.

 

7. Transportation

 

You should choose to walk, use public transportation or cycle. If your family has provided you with a car or a motorcycle, use it only when necessary or you can carpool with friends and share gas fees. This can help control your cash flow from flowing too fast.

Quoted from 170 Kata-kata Mendorong Menjadi Pelajar Hebat.

Lets follow the tips shared by the writer.

Date of Input: 08/02/2021 | Updated: 24/08/2021 | anis_akmil