Introduction
I used to believe that saving money was not for students like me — who live on a tight budget and come from small towns. I thought, how can I save when I barely have enough? But life taught me otherwise. Today, I’ll guide you through 6 levels of saving, based entirely on my personal journey — no apps, no tricks, just real experiences.
Level 1: Change the Way You Think About Money
Before you save money, you must first respect it. Most of us treat ₹10 or ₹20 as small change — but over a month, those small amounts can become big. I began by treating every coin as energy. That shift changed everything. I stopped saying "I can't save" and started saying "I’ll try saving at least ₹5 today."
Level 2: Write Down a Simple Budget (Even If You Have Nothing)
When I started, I had no fixed income. Still, I wrote a simple plan: how much I might spend on food, travel, data recharge, and books. I wasn’t earning, but I planned as if I were responsible for my own money. This gave me control. I felt like I was no longer floating. I had a direction.
Level 3: Divide Your Money into Small Purposes
Whenever I received even ₹500 from home, I divided it immediately. I kept some aside for basic needs like snacks or travel. I set aside a little for exam forms and another portion for unexpected needs — like a health issue or exam center travel. This helped me avoid sudden stress when emergencies came.
Level 4: Use Cash, Not Digital UPI
When I used UPI apps, I never felt the pain of spending. But when I had cash in hand, I thought twice. I started withdrawing my monthly allowance in cash and promised myself to not touch digital wallets unless needed. It taught me self-control and helped me avoid impulsive spending.
Level 5: Track Every Rupee for 30 Days
This is one habit that completely changed me. I started writing down every rupee I spent — ₹10 for tea, ₹5 for xerox, ₹30 for tiffin. At the end of the month, I saw exactly where I was wasting. It was never the big things — it was the daily small leaks. After tracking, I naturally started spending less.
Level 6: Forgive Mistakes and Keep Going
There were months I overspent. I wasted ₹100 on fast food. I missed tracking expenses. But I didn’t give up. I forgave myself and restarted the next day. Saving is not about being perfect — it’s about trying again every time you fall. That’s how discipline is built.
A Real Story from My Life
Once, I had only ₹700 for the entire month. I needed to travel from Keonjhar to Bhubaneswar for an exam. After spending on tickets and food, I still managed to save ₹100 by skipping cold drinks, walking to tuition, and eating home-cooked rice. That ₹100 helped me apply for another exam — and that exam changed my path.
Final Thoughts
Saving money as a student is not about income — it’s about intention. Start small. Respect every rupee. Write things down. Forgive your mistakes. And slowly, your financial strength will grow, just like your confidence.
Save not because you are poor — but because you are planning a future. The coins in your pocket today could become your success tomorrow.
Tags
Finance