5 tips to save money when studying abroad
As a foreign student, the tuition fee is more expensive than usual. In addition, the living standard overseas is usually higher than that in Hong Kong. If you would like to alleviate your parents’ burden or save more pocket money to do something you want, the following 5 tips may be able to help you!
1. Buy 2nd hand furniture and clothes
As there are more and more foreign students around the world, it’s not too hard to buy their used furniture when they leave the country, because most of these students only stay in the country for a short period of time. In some places like the United Kingdom, it’s very easy to find some charity shops. They are selling second-hand clothes that people donate, the money they earn from the clothes are also for charity purpose. If you are lucky enough, you can find something cheap but of high quality!
2. Apply for a student travel card
Different cities may provide different student incentives. Try to ask some more experienced/senior students and check what kind of discount you may get. For example, in England, there’s a railcard for 16-25 years old youth. The application fee is around GBP30, but you can also enjoy a 1/3 discount when you are traveling with the London underground. Other than that, if you can ride a bike, traveling by bike is also a good option!
3. Don’t dine out that often
Dining out is more expensive usually. You can try to cook some simple dishes or if you are brave enough, look for some new recipes online and try to make it! Maybe you can gather your friends, and make dinner together! Rice cooker is not that common compared to Asia, you can try to look for ways to cook rice in a normal pot or cooking with a microwave, or if you really need it, go to China Town and get one!
4. Don’t always go out for entertainment
You can go to your friends’ place to play some games, bake a cake, or watch a movie at home! These entertainments will probably be cheaper than going to a cinema or other entertainment venue.
5. Make use of video call
It’s normal that your friends and family will miss you when you are overseas. When technology was not that advance in the past, the expensive bill for the telephone is kind of inevitable. But now, if you can make use of software like Skype, Whatsapp…etc., it will be so cheap and easy to communicate with your friends. (Skype also provides a monthly plan, so you can use the internet to call other’s mobile phone no., and the price is not expensive at all!)
Updated in 2022: Skype is probably no longer the hype, simply Facetime or Whatsapp video call is good enough nowadays!
