University life is all fun and games until you realise you’re constantly fighting a losing battle with brokenness and your rather humble pocket money.
We asked these graduates, who’ve been there and done that, to share tips on how they stretched the lifespan of their allowance while maintaining their steeze.
Pack your provisions
“When I was in school, I had friends who asked their parents for money instead of provisions. They thought it was a flex because it meant coming to school with at least three times the pocket money of other students. Suffice to say, they were the real examples I needed to see why that was a bad idea. They finished their pocket money in weeks and always came to disturb those of us with provisions. See, even if the load is heavy AF, don’t refuse those bags of rice, garri, and beans your parents pack for you. It’s the surest way to save money in school.”
Go home
“We lived in Ibadan, and my school was in Ikire, Osun State. Back then, it was just about ₦100-200 for t-fare from my school to IB, and I took mad advantage of it. I often went home on weekends because it meant returning to school with more provisions, money, or even cooked meals. If you school in an area close to your house or a close relative, please visit as frequently as you can.”
Set a daily spending limit
“I had a daily budget of ₦600 when I was in school. The money covered my daily transport fare, lunch at the cafeteria, and extra change for any unplanned expenses. I rolled it over to the next day’s budget if I had spare change from a day. And if I had spare from the week, I rolled it over to the next week or just treated myself.”
Avoid cafeterias and restaurants
“I only went to the cafeterias and restaurants in school on days I felt like splurging or giving myself a treat. My general rule was to cook in my hostel before heading out for lectures. I mean, what’s the point of all the foodstuff and provisions I brought from home if I’m always eating out? This helped me save money a lot.”
Share expenses with friends and roommates
“If you’ve got a cool-headed and cooperative roommate or friend, constantly push for doing things together. Want to cook? Bring in half and ask them for the other half. Transport to school? Alternate payment between each other. This was my key to saving money in school. However, it’s only effective if the other person is cooperative and not a crackhead.”
Always split your money in half
“Once I receive my pocket money, I split it in half and force myself to believe the other half doesn’t exist. I started doing this from boarding school, continued in uni, and it’s the same now that I’m a salary earner. There are so many benefits to it. I’m always so prudent with what’s left because, in my head, there’s no half stashed somewhere. And before you know it, that half you’ve been stashing grows into major bar you can use for anything.”
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