10 Ways To Save For Fresh Island In Just One Semester

1. The Daily Coffee Sacrifice

This is the oldest advice in the book because it works. If you buy a fancy coffee on your way to lectures every morning, you are burning money. Let’s say a latte costs 4 Euro. If you buy five a week, that is 20 Euro. Over a 16-week semester, that is 320 Euro. That is almost the cost of your entire festival budget right there. Buy a reusable flask, make your coffee at home, and watch the savings pile up.

2. The “Vinted” Clear Out

Look inside your wardrobe. You probably have hoodies, sneakers, or jackets you haven’t worn since freshers week. Take clear photos of them and put them on Vinted, Depop, or eBay. You will be surprised how fast things sell if you price them right. It is basically free money sitting on your hangers. Use this cash specifically for your flight fund.

3. Stop The Takeout Cycle

Ordering food delivery is addictive. It is easy to tap a button when you are hungover or tired from studying. But one delivery order usually costs the same as three or four home-cooked meals. Delete the delivery apps from your phone for the semester. It sounds extreme, but it removes the temptation. Learn to cook three basic pasta dishes and stick to them.

4. Pre-game Like A Pro

We are not saying you should stop partying. You are a student, after all. But you need to stop buying rounds at the bar. Drinks in clubs are expensive. Do your drinking at home with supermarket alcohol before you go out. When you get to the club, nurse one drink or stick to water. You get the same night out for a fraction of the price.

5. Cancel The Ghost Subscriptions

Check your bank statement. You are probably paying for a streaming service you never watch or a gym membership you never use. Cancel them. If you really need Netflix, share a password with your housemates and split the cost. Every 10 Euro you save per month adds up to 40 or 50 Euro by the time summer arrives.

6. Walk More, Uber Less

It is tempting to grab an Uber when it is raining or you are running late. But those short rides add up fast. If your campus is walkable, walk. If it is too far, take the bus. If you have a bike, use it. Treat every Uber ride you skip as a deposit into your “Cocktails on Zrce Beach” fund.

7. Switch To Supermarket Own Brands

Marketing tricks you into thinking big brands taste better. They usually don’t. Switch your pasta, rice, sauces, and cleaning products to the supermarket’s own brand (the “basics” range). The price difference is huge. You can shave 15 to 20 Euro off your weekly grocery shop just by looking at the bottom shelf.

8. Sell Your Skills

You have skills other people need. If you are good at a specific subject, offer tutoring to first-year students. If you are good at writing, look for freelance gigs. You can even do simple tasks like dog walking or house sitting. These are flexible ways to earn extra cash without committing to a strict rota.

9. The Digital Piggy Bank

Most banking apps now have a “round-up” feature. If you spend 3.50 Euro on a sandwich, the app rounds it up to 4.00 Euro and puts the 50 cents into a savings pot. You will not even notice the money leaving your main account. Over a few months, these tiny amounts can grow into a nice sum that covers your festival spending money.

10. Use Your Student Discount Everywhere

Never pay full price if you don’t have to. Use apps like UNiDAYS or Student Beans for everything from clothes to technology. Before you buy anything, check if there is a code. If you are in a physical store, always ask at the till. That 10% or 20% saving stays in your pocket for Croatia.

The Savings Calculator

Here is how much you could potentially save over a 4-month semester by following these tips.