Top 5 Budgeting Tips for International Students

New Zealand is a very popular destination if you’re looking to study a semester, a year, or even your entire degree. By coming here, you’ll experience not only a world-class education, but also the unique culture and lifestyle that make New Zealand so special.

While New Zealand is an easy and welcoming place to live and study, the more you’re in control of your finances, the more enjoyable and independent lifestyle you’ll be able to lead. That’s where student budgeting comes in.

Having a well-designed student budget plan is key to balancing your study and life in New Zealand. There are several ways that you can create a budget that’s understandable and easy to follow.

Let’s explore five student budgeting tips that can help you budget successfully while you study in New Zealand.

Before you start, remember that a successful budget is a realistic budget!

It’s very important to set your budget around your actual income and expenses, so make sure you know what those totals are before you start. List all your different sources of income (for example, scholarships, part-time jobs, family support) and all the different categories of expenses you spend money on (for example, rent, groceries, utilities).

As your lists get more detailed, you will start to better understand where your money comes from and where it’s going. This will make it easier to build a student monthly budget that works for your needs.

There are many resources available like budgeting apps or spreadsheet templates to track your spending efficiently. Use a combination of these tools to simplify how to make a student budget and keep it manageable.

Learn more about tuition fees and cost of living to understand the costs you’ll need to budget for while studying in New Zealand.

One of the easiest ways to stick to your student budget plan is by using student discounts. Many shops, restaurants and other businesses across New Zealand offer discounts for students.

Always carry your student ID card with you as you may need to present it to qualify for a student discount and look for opportunities by researching your options for public transport, restaurants, and entertainment.

Often businesses will state online or on-premises if they offer the discount. However, don’t be afraid to ask a worker if they offer a student discount if you can’t see it written anywhere!

There are also websites and apps like myunidays.com, studentcard.co.nz, and studentbeans.com where you can check for student discounts in New Zealand.

Eating out regularly can quickly blow your student monthly budget. To help save money, plan your meals for the week in advance, and prepare them with ingredients purchased in bulk from the local supermarkets.

New Zealand also has a wide variety of fresh produce and local markets that you can shop at, from small Farmers Markets to local butchers and greengrocers who have been in the community for years. Keep an eye out on when these businesses open and where they are, as they can often be even cheaper than food from supermarkets!

Whether you share cooking duties with your flatmates or prepare all your food by yourself, you’ll find it not only budget-friendly but also more rewarding than constantly eating out.

Transportation can be a significant expense as students need to commute daily. As owning a vehicle is usually high maintenance and costly, you should consider alternative options available.

Public transportation in New Zealand includes buses, trains and ferries, and can be a cost-effective way for students to get where they need to go. Much cheaper than taxis or rideshare apps, public transport also offers student discounts.

When signing up to the transport system in your city, remember to apply for a student concession and be sure to provide your current student ID.

For short distances, biking or walking can be great alternatives that is cheap and kind to the environment. Most New Zealand cities are very walkable and bike-friendly, often with dedicated cycling lanes, for ease of use.

Having fun doesn’t have to cost a lot! There are plenty of free or low-cost activities that fit perfectly into your budget plan while you study.

Explore the outdoors with free hiking trails, beaches, and public parks. Join student clubs and societies at your education provider. The events that these clubs hold are often either free or highly subsidised.

You can also use social media and other websites to stay connected with local events and happenings. Beyond connecting with people and businesses on social media, you can use websites like MeetUp to find people with similar interests to yourself.

Many groups bond over outdoor activities, such as playing sports like rugby, football, tennis and swimming, or hiking and tramping. You might be surprised with how cost-effective and cheap some of these activities turn out to be!

No matter how you find these activities, you’ll be having fun with other people amidst the natural beauty that New Zealand has to offer.

Budgeting can be a great way for international students to stay organised and feel confident. Setting up a realistic budget early on can prevent financial stress and give you greater independence living away from home.

From using student discounts to cooking at home, using public transport, and finding affordable entertainment, these budgeting tips can help you balance your life and study while you study in New Zealand.

The most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to miss out on fun while living on a budget! With a little planning, you can enjoy everything New Zealand has to offer without overspending.

Learn more about how you can manage living costs as a student living in New Zealand.