As an international student in Canada, building an effective budget is one of the best ways to manage your money and avoid unnecessary stress.

Here are some simple tips to get you started:

• Track the money coming in: This includes your GIC, any financial support from family, or other reliable sources.
• Note: We recommend not including potential income from a part-time job in your budget until you’ve secured the job and know what to expect.
• Track your expenses: Start by listing your fixed costs such as rent, phone bills, transportation, and utilities. Then add variable expenses like groceries, personal items, or eating out.
• Tip: Budget for a bit more during your first few weeks in Canada. There may be one-time setup costs (like buying kitchen items or winter clothing). After a few weeks, you’ll start noticing patterns in your spending.
• Know your needs vs. wants:
  Make sure your essential needs are always covered first—like housing, food, and transportation—before spending on non-essentials.

• Use budgeting tools:
  There are many free budgeting apps available, and most Canadian banking apps also offer built-in budgeting features to help you track your spending and savings goals.