Embarking on post-college life is both exhilarating and challenging. Navigating job hunting, student loan payments and handling life changes can be mentally and financially taxing. If you feel stressed about the upcoming challenges after walking the stage on May 17, fear not — Spare Change is here to help. Follow along to discover our tips and tricks for preparing for life post-grad.
It is not too early to start planning and saving for the big changes to come. Overpreparing can be extremely beneficial, especially for rainy days or unforeseen circumstances. Some ways you can start preparing now include:
Implementing a budget
Finding a budget that works for you is essential. While creating a budget can be daunting, it is necessary for healthy money management. Some easy ways to track your money digitally include YNAB, Goodbudget or the social budget tracker Oops. Other options include making a tracker on Google Sheets or Excel and keeping a budget journal.
Cut out unnecessary spending
Whether your vice is daily coffee trips, eating out or online shopping, it is important to recognize the ways you can cut back and implement cost savings. A way to keep track of these habits is to set a limit. Whether that is a dollar amount or limiting visits per week, recognizing and taking steps to cut back can make a huge difference. It might not seem like it while purchasing, but a $6 coffee a day adds up to almost $200 a month. Post-grad, that $200 can mean a lot. Instead, opt to make coffee at home by buying pre-made cold brew and creamer. If you are looking for cheap meal options, check out our Spare Change articles on 10 free meals using ingredients from the Roadrunner Pantry and 10 dorm-friendly meals that are not instant ramen.
Start putting money aside
If your current financial situation allows you to, start putting aside money now. After graduating, some expenses you are likely to encounter are rent, furniture, transportation, insurance and food. If you are looking to make extra money, check out Spare Change’s guide to eight side hustles for college students. Going off of the last point of cutting out unnecessary spending, set aside this money instead and use it to plan for the future. To get a better idea of what your expenses post-grad will look like, make a spreadsheet with estimated expenses. If you know you will be looking to live alone, keep in mind that the average rent price in San Antonio is $1290. Similarly, start the furniture search at local thrift stores or on Facebook Marketplace. Building up what you will need over time rather than all at once ensures a smaller blow when the time to move out comes.
Take advantage of UTSA resources
UTSA’s Career Center has a surplus of free resources to take advantage of. Some notable free resources are the IRIS booth, VMOCK resume builder and Handshake. Another big UTSA resource to take advantage of while in school is LinkedIn learning, which is a free way to get certifications and grow your resume.
Graduating is an exciting period of your life. Making small changes now is a necessary way to ensure a smooth transition, so start now; your future self will thank you.
