If you would like information, advice or guidance regarding any of the college services, including discussing any potential financial support that may be available, please contact either your Personal Tutor, Assessor or Learner Services.

Step 1 - Choose where to make your budget

• Make a budget on a piece of paper or in a book

• Use a program like Microsoft Excel so you can update your budget and have the software do the calculations for you

• Use an interactive budget online such as Money Advice Service budget planner

Step 2 - List your income

List the money you have every month, this could include:

• Student Finance

• Wages from employment

• Welfare Benefits

• Parental contributions

Step 3 - Track your spending

Tip - If you're not sure what you spend check your bank statements or receipts as well as any banking apps you use or you can use this breakdown of student spending to help

Step 4 - Make your budget work

The idea of making a budget is that you spend less than your income each month.  If you have money left over it might be worth considering putting this in a savings account each month to help build your money.

If you're still struggling, don't worry there are resources out there to help you.

Keep going

Your budget doesn't have to be perfect on the first go.  Like anything, it gets easier with practice.

Once you get the hang of it, give yourself a money goal.  This might be about building up your financial security or working towards a balanced budget at the end of each month.  If you have income, you may want to pick something to save for.  It could be an emergency fund or a treat to reward you for your hard work.

Decide how much to set aside each month.  Or challenge yourself to cut back on unnecessary spending, and funnel the savings into your goal instead.

Money goals give you a sense of direction and encourage you to keep going, and really, that's what budgets are all about.