{"id":1317,"date":"2018-02-07T06:18:46","date_gmt":"2018-02-07T00:48:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/67.205.158.89\/?p=1317"},"modified":"2024-09-13T15:00:23","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T09:30:23","slug":"dos-donts-make-student-loan-stretch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-finances\/dos-donts-make-student-loan-stretch\/","title":{"rendered":"Dos and Don\u2019ts to Make that Student Loan Stretch!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-finances\/dos-donts-make-student-loan-stretch\/#Dont_Pick_the_First_Loan_You_Find\" >Don\u2019t Pick the First Loan You Find<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-finances\/dos-donts-make-student-loan-stretch\/#Dont_Think_of_it_As_Free_Money\" >Don\u2019t Think of it As Free Money<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-finances\/dos-donts-make-student-loan-stretch\/#Stick_to_Your_Budget\" >Stick to Your Budget<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-finances\/dos-donts-make-student-loan-stretch\/#Set_Achievable_Targets\" >Set Achievable Targets<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-finances\/dos-donts-make-student-loan-stretch\/#Be_Careful_Where_You_Put_Your_Money\" >Be Careful Where You Put Your Money<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-finances\/dos-donts-make-student-loan-stretch\/#Watch_Your_Food_Habits\" >Watch Your Food Habits<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<form>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">There is no hiding the fact that going to university is an expensive affair. For many students, a loan helps to make the whole experience affordable. From the moment you take out a loan to when the money arrives in your account, there are several things to keep in mind. Sounds stressful? It doesn\u2019t have to be! Play it safe with our handy list of dos and don\u2019ts!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_Pick_the_First_Loan_You_Find\"><\/span><strong>Don\u2019t Pick the First Loan You Find<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Make sure you look around at different loans to ensure that there aren\u2019t any cheeky hidden costs and you are getting the best interest rate possible. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions as it is crucial that you understand the terms of your loan. If there is something that you find a bit confusing, most universities will have advisors that you can talk to.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_Think_of_it_As_Free_Money\"><\/span><strong>Don\u2019t Think of it As Free Money<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Although loans ease off the pressure, it is important to remember that one day you will have to pay it back! It would be silly to buy loads of unnecessary things as they will end up costing more in the long run, due to the interests charged.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stick_to_Your_Budget\"><\/span><strong>Stick to Your Budget<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Admittedly, this won\u2019t be very fun, but setting some time aside to think about your expenses will help you figure out how much you can afford to spend and might give you the reality check you need before you blow it all! Make a list of your outgoings \u2013 when do you need to pay for your <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">student accommodation<\/a><\/strong> and how much should you spend on food per week?<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Set_Achievable_Targets\"><\/span><strong>Set Achievable Targets<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Set yourself targets on how much you can spend each week and work a bit of \u201cme money\u201d into the budget. You will find it is easier to save money when you have something fun and exciting to save up for!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Be_Careful_Where_You_Put_Your_Money\"><\/span><strong>Be Careful Where You Put Your Money<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Not all student bank accounts have been created equal! For example, in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/country\/united-kingdom\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>United Kingdom<\/strong><\/a>, certain banks offer a relatively high-interest rate on student accounts and give you a free four-year railcard, which nabs you a third off of rail travel.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Watch_Your_Food_Habits\"><\/span><strong>Watch Your Food Habits<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Planning meals ahead and taking in a packed lunch to university can save you loads of money. The easiest way to accomplish this is usually to make extra dinner the night before and eat that for lunch, as this saves you time in the morning!<\/p>\n<p><i>(Written by\u00a0Polly Hatcher)<\/i><\/p>\n<\/form>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"web-stories-list alignnone has-archive-link is-view-type-carousel is-style-default is-carousel\" data-id=\"1\">\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"web-stories-list__inner-wrapper carousel-1\"\n\t\t\tstyle=\"--ws-story-max-width:185px\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"web-stories-list__archive-link\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/home-03\/\">\n\t\t\t\tView all stories\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"web-stories-list__carousel carousel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-id=\"carousel-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-prev=\"Previous\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-next=\"Next\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"web-stories-list__story\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-interactive=\"web-stories-block\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-context='{\"instanceId\":1}'\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.open\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on-window--popstate=\"actions.onPopstate\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"web-stories-list__story-poster\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/web-stories\/australias-finest-unveiling-top-universities-for-success\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-52.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Australia&#8217;s Finest: Unveiling Top Universities for Success!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\twidth=\"185\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\theight=\"308\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-52.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-52-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-52-400x533.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-52-150x200.jpg 150w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"web-stories-list__story-content-overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"story-content-overlay__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\tAustralia&#8217;s Finest: Unveiling Top Universities for Success!\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"web-stories-list__story\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-interactive=\"web-stories-block\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-context='{\"instanceId\":1}'\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.open\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on-window--popstate=\"actions.onPopstate\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"web-stories-list__story-poster\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/web-stories\/foodies-guide-iconic-australian-delights-for-international-students\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-49.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Foodie&#8217;s Guide: Iconic Australian Delights for International Students!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\twidth=\"185\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\theight=\"308\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-49.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-49-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-49-400x533.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-49-150x200.jpg 150w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"web-stories-list__story-content-overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"story-content-overlay__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\tFoodie&#8217;s Guide: Iconic Australian Delights for International Students!\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"web-stories-list__story\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-interactive=\"web-stories-block\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-context='{\"instanceId\":1}'\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.open\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on-window--popstate=\"actions.onPopstate\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"web-stories-list__story-poster\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/web-stories\/5-compelling-reasons-to-study-in-canada-the-norths-education-charm\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-47.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Canada&#8217;s Study Scene: 5 Irresistible Reasons!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\twidth=\"185\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\theight=\"308\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-47.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-47-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-47-400x533.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-47-150x200.jpg 150w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"web-stories-list__story-content-overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"story-content-overlay__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\tCanada&#8217;s Study Scene: 5 Irresistible Reasons!\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"web-stories-list__story\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-interactive=\"web-stories-block\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-context='{\"instanceId\":1}'\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.open\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on-window--popstate=\"actions.onPopstate\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"web-stories-list__story-poster\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/web-stories\/crack-the-door-to-your-dreams-with-sat-gre-your-ticket-to-success\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-44.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Crack the Door to Your Dreams with SAT\/GRE: Your Ticket to Success!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\twidth=\"185\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\theight=\"308\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-44.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-44-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-44-400x533.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-44-150x200.jpg 150w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"web-stories-list__story-content-overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"story-content-overlay__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\tCrack the Door to Your Dreams with SAT\/GRE: Your Ticket to Success!\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"web-stories-list__story\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-interactive=\"web-stories-block\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-context='{\"instanceId\":1}'\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.open\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on-window--popstate=\"actions.onPopstate\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"web-stories-list__story-poster\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/web-stories\/the-perfect-getaway-from-london-at-the-perfect-price\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-38.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"The Perfect Getaway from London \u2013 At the Perfect Price!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\twidth=\"185\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\theight=\"308\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-38.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-38-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-38-400x533.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-Poster-Image-38-150x200.jpg 150w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"web-stories-list__story-content-overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"story-content-overlay__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Perfect Getaway from London \u2013 At the Perfect Price!\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Previous\" class=\"glider-prev\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Next\" class=\"glider-next\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There is no hiding the fact that going to university is an expensive affair. For many students, a loan helps to make the whole experience affordable. From the moment you take out a loan to when the money arrives in your account, there are several things to keep in mind. Sounds stressful? It doesn\u2019t have [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1319,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[975],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1317","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-student-finances"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1317"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1317\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}