Template categories
| Category | Type | Suggested starting % |
|---|---|---|
| Rent / halls | Needs | 35% |
| Food & groceries | Needs | 15% |
| Transport | Needs | 7% |
| Phone & internet | Needs | 4% |
| Course costs & books | Needs | 4% |
| Social & going out | Wants | 12% |
| Clothes & personal | Wants | 6% |
| Subscriptions | Wants | 3% |
| Savings buffer | Savings | 8% |
| Travel home | Savings | 6% |
Suggested starting points only, not statistics. Adjust them to your real costs.
How to use this template
Student money rarely arrives monthly. Loan or grant instalments land once a term, part-time pay varies week to week, and family help may be irregular. This template converts everything into a monthly figure so you can see whether a term’s money will last. Divide each lump sum by the number of months it must cover and enter the result as your monthly income.
Rent or halls fees usually take the biggest share. Lock that in first, then food, travel and course costs. The “savings buffer” line is for the unexpected — a laptop repair, a train fare home at short notice — and the “travel home” line spreads the cost of holidays across the term.
- Check your balance every Sunday against the weekly allowance (monthly budget ÷ 4.3).
- Cook in batches and share staples with flatmates to stretch the food budget.
- Look for student discounts before buying anything over a small amount.
- Keep course-related costs separate so you can see how much your degree really costs.
FAQ
How much should a student budget for food?
It depends on location and habits; start with what your bank statements show and use the template line as a starting point.
How do I budget a student loan?
Divide each instalment by the months it must last and treat that as monthly income.
Should students save?
Even a small buffer prevents emergencies becoming debt.