It can be scary finding accommodation and paying bills for the first time. And it can become a total nightmare if you fall out with friends because you can’t agree how to split bills.
Whether it’s splitting the bill on a beer and burger night out or getting everyone to pay their way on a pub crawl, money always threatens to come between friends.
As the NUS’s Think Positive found last year in its Breaking the Silence report on student mental health, almost half (48.7%) of students get stressed out about paying bills and rent.
For some it becomes so bad that they vow never to have anything to do with people they used to regard as best friends.
So it really does make sense to think now about how you limit your outgoings and agree how to split payments before the bills arrive.
Before you even choose a university, compare the cost of living in different cities. Costs can vary widely and high rents could cripple your chances of successfully completing your degree.
When you do start house hunting, shop around. Don’t panic and sign a contract for the first property you see. There may be a better one with lower rent just around the corner.
Try to avoid looking for next year’s house too soon. You may get a better deal from landlords later on in the academic year.
Make sure you only have to pay your share of the bills by signing up with a service like Glide. This will protect you if one of your housemates drops out or can’t pay.
Glide makes bills simple for students by sending a single monthly bill for everything from gas, electricity and water to broadband, telephone and even your TV licence so there’s no need to worry about unexpected bills, energy price rises or who pays what.