Money Management Skills

Being a student is supposed to be like a full-time job but without the benefits of a pay packet. Students’ financial situations vary so here are some simple methods to help budget for all financial circumstances.

Budgeting is a life skill to develop for all adults.

1. Making a list of all incoming and outgoing expenditure is an excellent place to start.
2. Break down your payments monthly if for example you get a SUSI loan and get it on a certain date every month then plan your finances around that date.
3. Always spend the money on your ‘musts’ rent, bills, food and loan repayments, before your ‘wants’.
4. If you are struggling to repay debts call MABS on 0761 07 2000

Check out our student financial supports HERE.

Money Management Skills

1. Create a shopping list- Planning your meals ahead of time so you can budget exactly what is needed. Having a shopping list is an excellent idea because you are less likely to deviate and spend excessively. While items like milk, bread, fruit, and vegetables go off quickly, student staples like pasta, rice, tea, and canned goods have longer expiry dates (and can be bought in bulk, if there is a deal going).
2. Don’t delay paying bills- if your Wi-Fi and electric are to be paid monthly. Have that money put aside so you don’t spend it unknowingly.
3. Move money to a sperate. less accessible account, to avoid unnecessary spending.
4. Always have a buffer- don’t budget to the very last cent. Have excess money in case something pops up, for example a trip home or new college supplies.
5. Check to see where you can get student discounts and utilise that service.

Visit citizens information to learn more.

Time Management Skills

Procrastination is our way of coping with negative emotions associated with certain tasks, think boredom, anxiety, insecurity, frustration, self-doubt, etc. Everyone battles with this at some stage or another. Next time it creeps in try these tips:

1. Practice self-compassion and allow yourself a few minutes to procrastinate.
2. Motivation- follows actions, so thinking about the next action opens up the possibility of tackling your task in the present. For example, if you were to start on your paper, maybe the next action would be opening Word/PowerPoint/Excel.
3. Make your temptations more inconvenient- If you are tempted to take a nap, work at a table somewhere far away from your dorm. If you are tempted to check social media, put your phone in a different room.

Other tips include:

1. Maintain and develop a list of specific things to be done each day. Prioritise that list and complete the most urgent tasks at the start of day.
2. Set incremental deadlines for longer-term projects.
3. Work in 45 minutes to 1.5-hour chunks then take a break to avoid the exhaustion that comes from overexertion.
4. Concentrate on one task at a time. (Lakein.A, How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life)

Know your Tenant’s Rights & Obligations

Deciding to move away from home to gain more independence or maybe you are going to college/ doing a PLC / apprenticeship then this might be the first time you have lived away from home.  If you encounter problems regarding your accommodation you can contact the following:

1. The PRTB Private Residential Tenancies Board – a system to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. Check their website for more information HERE.
2. Threshold is a registered charity whose aim is to secure a right to housing especially those facing poverty or exclusion. They also provide information about what you should know before signing a lease.

• Threshold recommend before you move in do an inventory in writing of all the furniture and anything else in the house and get the landlord to sign this.
• Take photographs of any wear or tear
• Check that all appliances are in working order.

Students/ Tenants have the right to privacy so a landlord must have your permission to enter the house unless it is an emergency. Click to view their website HERE.

Rent Arrears: Ensure you are paying your rent on time and keep a record of the payments. If you cannot pay your rent, you landlord is obliged to issue you with a 14-day notice. If you are still unable to pay, they may issue you with a 28-day notice of termination. Most landlords will allow you to use your deposit as your last month’s rent.

Lease Agreements: If you sign a fixed term lease, be aware you cannot leave at any time you must pay rent for the specific period stated.

Deposit Retention: You may not receive your deposit in full or at all if

• There is damage to the property.
• Unpaid rent
• Leave before lease agreement.
• Do not give adequate notice of leave.
• Do not hand back the keys at the end the lease agreement.

Minimum standards for private rented accommodation:

• A four-ring hob with oven and grill
• Provisions for effective and safe removal of fumes to the external air by means of an extractor fan.
• A fridge and freezer
• A microwave oven
• A sink with drainage
• Storage for food
• Access to a washing facility

Tips and Tricks on how to Get a Job. This infomation bookelt details your rights and responsibilties as a worker for your age group. How to make an attractive CV and where to go if you need any support.

Click here to ready more about it 

Job search engines:

Visit Indeed jobs in Kerry click HERE

Visit Irish Jobs in Kerry click HERE

Visit Jobs Ireland.ie HERE

Watch a video about the Celebrating 25 Years of the Rights of a Child by by Kerry Comhairle na nÓg

Read about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ( UDHR) which is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Read about the UDHR HERE .