Budgeting & Other Support
It is a good idea to try to manage your finances from as early on as possible in the year. Here are some suggestions to help you.
Contact details and appointment times for the Financial Welfare Officer are below.
Extra Help from the University
The University’s social media channels and student support website for the Reach Out campaign provide information on how to access a range of support at Cambridge, including what to do if you’re struggling with money.
There is a pilot lasting until February next year to provide subsidised lunches at the West Hub on the West Cambridge campus. The ground floor of the Student Services Centre on the New Museums Site is also open as a warm hub with a range of study and socialising facilities available.
Student Discounts
Always take your university card with you and ask for a discount, many shops will accept this. For others, you might need one of these apps/cards:
Free Apps (sign-up with your crisid email address '@cam.ac.uk'):
Discount cards:
TOTUM
- Recommended by the National Union of Students (NUS), this is a student discount, proof of age ID and campus life card and platform .
- There are 3 membership levels, digital (1-Year free), Totum and TOTUM + Age ID Card (prices start from £14.99 for 1-year).
International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
- The ISIC card allows students the world over to prove their official student status and make the most of thousands of targeted student benefits and discounts in over 130 countries/territories.
- Virtual cards from £12.00 per annum.
Current Budgeting Suggestions
Here are some recent articles about discounts and budgeting:
- The best student discounts and how to get them - Which?
- Student bank accounts - Which?
- Supermarket prices: which is the cheapest supermarket in 2022? - Which?
- 11 tips to save on the cost of your subscriptions - Which? News
- Student budgeting: make your money go further as cost of living crisis bites - Student finance | The Guardian
- Student and graduate money - MoneyHelper
Personal Budgets
There are apps and other budgeting tools available online. Alternatively, see below for a personal budget spreadsheet for Undergraduates to help you review your finances.
Further Support
If you have any other queries, please get in touch by email with the Financial Welfare Officer, or via the in-person appointments or online drop-in sessions (details provided below).
In-person appointments
If you need additional Financial Welfare support, make an in person appointment on:
- Tuesdays 4-5pm
- Wednesdays 10:30am - 11:30am
Online meetings
Please send me an email to request an online meeting on Monday afternoon - other times available on request: fwo@girton.cam.ac.uk
Zoom details:
Meeting ID: 819 8904 1138 Passcode: 6Zp18k