Spring is a time to detox.
The winter months can take their toll physically, mentally and often financially.
In the run up to the long summer break, an excess of food, drink and social events are likely to have leave their mark on your wallet as well as your body.
Liver aside, repairing the damage to your funds after a year at university can be tricky.
From when that first student loan installment arrives you may find yourself struggling to juggle a huge overdraft with essential commitments such as getting your rent in on time or paying for the weekly shop.
For many University students, especially undergraduates, the new found independence of living away from home often comes with a steep financial learning curve, and getting into debt comes far easier than getting out.
So how can what steps can you take to rejuvenate your finances? Staying out of debt.
First and foremost make it your a resolution to budget.
Make a list of all incomings and outgoings.
If your outgoings outstrip your income, you'll need to make a change.
Prioritise according to importance with housing, fuel, food and books at the top, then figure out what you have left for the rest.
Once you know you have enough to pay for the essentials you'll enjoy the luxuries such as socialising and clothes shopping far more knowing that that you really can afford them without suffering a guilt trip of financial hangover the morning after.
Keep your budget easily within reach and organise it on monthly or weekly basis and remember to make allowances for one off costs such as car insurance or your phone bill.
A budget can also help you recognise when you've overspent and offer you the opportunity to set it right before things get out of control.
If you do find yourself short, or you fancy that extra weekend on the tiles don't be tempted by unsecured credit such as credit card overdrafts or "payday loans" which are sometimes available to students.
Such borrowing often comes with extortionate interest rates which can quickly escalate in to dangerous levels of debt, especially when you don't have a regular sizable income to fall back on.
Managing the debt you're in.
The majority of higher education students will be in some form of debt by the time they finish university.
Most of this debt will come in the form of student loans which enjoy very low interest rates, and you don't normally have to start paying them off until you reach a certain income threshold.
However, few of us feel like we're rolling in money, and keeping up with all commitments can be hard.
Paying off overdrafts, being able to meet your day-to-day essential needs, and other types of debt can feature large on the student's list of worries.
If you do feel like your finances are out of hand, or if you're struggling to make ends meet until your next loan payment there is help available.
Your Students Union may be able to offer you support and information about emergency assistance that you could apply for if the going really gets tough.
Additionally, there are other sources of help available too, including free debt help services who can offer financial advice on managing your money and keeping debt at a minimum.
A bit of financial housekeeping for spring could help you stay in control of your finances for the rest of 2012.
However, if you do find it tough keeping up with money commitments or you find yourself in unmanageable debt, don't despair, help is at hand.
The winter months can take their toll physically, mentally and often financially.
In the run up to the long summer break, an excess of food, drink and social events are likely to have leave their mark on your wallet as well as your body.
Liver aside, repairing the damage to your funds after a year at university can be tricky.
From when that first student loan installment arrives you may find yourself struggling to juggle a huge overdraft with essential commitments such as getting your rent in on time or paying for the weekly shop.
For many University students, especially undergraduates, the new found independence of living away from home often comes with a steep financial learning curve, and getting into debt comes far easier than getting out.
So how can what steps can you take to rejuvenate your finances? Staying out of debt.
First and foremost make it your a resolution to budget.
Make a list of all incomings and outgoings.
If your outgoings outstrip your income, you'll need to make a change.
Prioritise according to importance with housing, fuel, food and books at the top, then figure out what you have left for the rest.
Once you know you have enough to pay for the essentials you'll enjoy the luxuries such as socialising and clothes shopping far more knowing that that you really can afford them without suffering a guilt trip of financial hangover the morning after.
Keep your budget easily within reach and organise it on monthly or weekly basis and remember to make allowances for one off costs such as car insurance or your phone bill.
A budget can also help you recognise when you've overspent and offer you the opportunity to set it right before things get out of control.
If you do find yourself short, or you fancy that extra weekend on the tiles don't be tempted by unsecured credit such as credit card overdrafts or "payday loans" which are sometimes available to students.
Such borrowing often comes with extortionate interest rates which can quickly escalate in to dangerous levels of debt, especially when you don't have a regular sizable income to fall back on.
Managing the debt you're in.
The majority of higher education students will be in some form of debt by the time they finish university.
Most of this debt will come in the form of student loans which enjoy very low interest rates, and you don't normally have to start paying them off until you reach a certain income threshold.
However, few of us feel like we're rolling in money, and keeping up with all commitments can be hard.
Paying off overdrafts, being able to meet your day-to-day essential needs, and other types of debt can feature large on the student's list of worries.
If you do feel like your finances are out of hand, or if you're struggling to make ends meet until your next loan payment there is help available.
Your Students Union may be able to offer you support and information about emergency assistance that you could apply for if the going really gets tough.
Additionally, there are other sources of help available too, including free debt help services who can offer financial advice on managing your money and keeping debt at a minimum.
A bit of financial housekeeping for spring could help you stay in control of your finances for the rest of 2012.
However, if you do find it tough keeping up with money commitments or you find yourself in unmanageable debt, don't despair, help is at hand.
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