Your Friendly Guild Budget Buddy
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Welcome
This site gives you a simple way to see where your money goes and stay in control while you’re at uni.
Add your money coming in and going out to see if you’re overspending or saving.
Write down what you spend each day, like a diary, and compare it to your plan.
Try quick money‑saving wins and reach out for help early if you’re worried.
Start my monthly budget See quick money‑saving tips
Prefer a spreadsheet? Download the Student Budget Planner (Excel/Sheets).
My Monthly Budget
Fill in how much money you have coming in and going out each month to see your money left after bills.
Money coming in
| Source | Amount (£/month) |
|---|---|
| Student Loan | |
| Part‑time Job | |
| Family Help | |
| Other Income | |
| Total Money In |
Money going out
| Expense | Amount (£/month) |
|---|---|
| Rent / Accommodation | |
| Food & Groceries | |
| Travel (bus, train, etc) | |
| Phone & Internet | |
| Utilities (gas, electric, water) | |
| Entertainment & Social | |
| Other Expenses | |
| Total Money Out |
Track My Spending
Use this like a weekly diary. Write down what you spend each day and how much.
| Date / Day | What I bought | How much (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | ||
| Tue | ||
| Wed | ||
| Thu | ||
| Fri | ||
| Sat | ||
| Sun | ||
| Week total spent |
Compare this to your weekly budget from the Monthly Budget section. What went well this week? What would you change next week?
My Savings Goals
Pick a few things you want to save for. Small amounts add up over time.
| What am I saving for? | Target (£) | Saved so far (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency fund | ||
| Holiday / Trip | ||
| Laptop / Phone | ||
| Summer break costs | ||
| Other | ||
| Total saved |
You can move money into savings right after your loan or wages land so you’re not tempted to spend it.
Quick Money-Saving Tips
Tick the ideas you’re already doing, and pick 1–3 new ones to try this week.
| Tip | Possible saving (per month) | Doing this? |
|---|---|---|
| Use a student Railcard for trains | £15–30 | |
| Shop at Aldi/Lidl or value ranges | £20–40 | |
| Meal prep once a week (batch cooking) | £15–30 | |
| Cancel or pause streaming/subscriptions you don’t use | £5–20 | |
| Walk or cycle instead of taxis where safe | £10–30 | |
| Use student discounts (TOTUM, Unidays, etc.) | £5–15 | |
| Buy second‑hand textbooks | £30–100 per term | |
| Go to free uni events instead of nights out sometimes | £20–50 | |
| Compare energy / broadband suppliers in shared houses | £5–15 | |
| Sell things you don’t use anymore | Varies |
You don’t need to do everything. Even one or two changes can make a real difference.
Get Help & Support
Money worries are common at uni. If you’re stressed about money, you’re not on your own and there is support available.
Contact your university finance team or hardship fund for advice on extra support and emergency help.
Check your Student Finance account or visit gov.uk/student-finance.
Reach out to your uni wellbeing service or visit Student Minds.
| Situation | Who to contact | How |
|---|---|---|
| Running out of money | Your university finance/support team | Email f.support@ucb.ac.uk, visit Financial Support |
| Can’t pay rent or essential bills | Financial Support team | f.support@ucb.ac.uk how to apply |
| Need emergency money | Your university | Some unis offer emergency loans or grants |
| General money advice | MoneyHelper | moneyhelper.org.uk |
| Budgeting tips & deals | Save the Student | savethestudent.org |
| Want to talk to someone | Your university student support / SU | Visit Baskerville House |
Download the full planner: Student Budget Planner (Excel/Sheets).