Learning To Be More Independent

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will” - Charlotte Brontë

Independence. Something we crave more and more as we grow older, but something little of us know how to actually achieve. I don't consider myself totally independent, but I do believe that I have the ability provide and look after myself. I wouldn't say that I felt independent until I started university in 2014. Up until that point I completely relied on my mum. Living in a rural village with no transport links, I relied on her to take me everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Moving to a university just outside of the bustling city centre, I suddenly had the ability to go anywhere I wanted - at any time. So here I am offering my advice on how to become a little more independent. 

Learn to drive // This ones a bit of a biggie, although I realise it isn't for everyone. Learning to drive has played a massive role in my quest to become more independent. I passed my driving test (first time woo) when I was 17, and it took me ages to save up and be in the position to afford my own car. I was able to purchase my little car around a week before my 19th birthday and I honestly don't know how I survived without one. I now have the ability to go anywhere I want when I want, and it has made my life so much easier - even if I'm always the designated driver. 

Master transportation // If driving isn't for you, I would advise mastering some form of public transportation - either buses or trains. I hate buses with a passion and I am terrible when it comes to getting on them. Knowing which bus to get on, how to buy a ticket, and where to get off - I just struggle with it completely. But trains. I am the master of trains. I know Leeds train station like the back of my hand and I know what trains come in at what time, what time they leave. I know which trains are the busiest, the length of each journey, and pretty much everything there is to know about commuting via train. 

Get a job // I don't have a job at the moment (plz someone hire me), but I do my fair amount of volunteer work. I have volunteered in a high school for a year, and it is amazing how much independence it brings you. A job gives you valuable work experience, and a steady income allowing you to save up for the bigger things in life. Driving lessons? A car? A flat? All of which give you independence! 

Manage your money // This one links in with the point above, as it means you will be able to develop a sense of financial independence. Can you really afford that ASOS haul?, is that perfume going to push you into your overdraft? Set a budget and stick to it! Put any spare money into a savings account and save towards something special! My savings account is currently dedicated towards saving up for a house/flat deposit - I know I have nowhere near enough at the moment, but every penny helps!

Learn to cook // Do you really think successful business people eat takeaways and ready meals every day? No. Learning to cook puts you in control of what goes into your body. Buy a recipe book and try whipping up a few meals. You might enjoy yourself, and you will almost certainly enjoy the food you make!

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9 Simple Ways To Save Money

Damn - I know all these sales emerging, and the appearance of Christmas goodies in the shops are making it waaaaaaaay too hard to resist spending all of your hard earned dollar in one go. I bet all of my friends are reading this and laughing at me as I am a hopeless saver. If there is a fancy new luxury makeup product I'm lusting after, I can just about save up for that. But long term saving? Nope. I do however have a keen eye for a bargain and I'm ace at budgeting. Just not with the 'saving for a rainy day' aspect. 

So if you're rubbish with saving, why are you writing a post telling other people how to save? Well my friends, the title was a lie. I know, I know - I'm sorry. But! I am going to tell you how I resist the urge to spend money on non-essentials! Read on....

If you are going to buy something - pay with cash. It adds incentive to the spending. Physically seeing the money disappearing out of your purse (and into the hand of a rather smug looking cashier) makes it seem more real. Plan a budget and stick to it, only take as much cash out as you intend to spend. If you nip into Boots to get one thing, only take enough money for that one item - that way you won't be tempted to impulse buy.

Ask yourself why you need something. Are you just buying it because you can or do you have a use for it? Are you going to buy all that workout gear and stop working out after a week? If you question yourself every time you go to purchase something, chances are you'll realise that you don't need it. For example, every time I go clothes shopping and I see something I like, I ask myself if I would actually wear it. If I can't picture myself in it - I don't buy it. Simple as that. 

Use student discount if you have it. It really does add up. I use my student discount at everywhere that excepts it. That 10,15,20% or whatever off may not seem much at the time. But If you're the type of person that likes to go shopping (even online) it can help you save your well earned money for something else. 

Sales. Depending on your frame of mind, they are either a handy way to save money or where all your money goes. Personally I hate sales. But occasionally you might find a hidden jem. At the weekend I popped into TKMaxx (whose 5p carrier bags are useless btw) and there were so many things that I was surprised at how cheap they were! For example, I have been dying to get my hands on the Deliciously Ella cookbook for yonks. It retails at £20 everywhere and at TKMaxx it was £9.99!! I didn't buy it though as I'm trying to avoid spending money on myself at the moment as I've been way spendy with my student loan this semester. 

Shop offers. Similarly to the point above. Offers can be either life or death. They are specifically designed to get you to spend more money. Do you actually have a use for the offer. Is the offer making you want to spend more money? If makeup is 3 for 2 in Boots are you going to buy 3 lipsticks instead of the 1 you only went in for?

Points / membership cards. Membership cards for places you go to regularly can be really useful. There are usually two different types of cards: 1) Cards where you earn points for your spending and 2) Cards where you get a slight discount. 

Save change in a jar. Save all your loose change in a jar. Then every now and again take it into the bank and swop it for notes. Or get it transferred into your account. That 2p coin you found on the way to work will go nicely with the 1p you found on the train. Before you know it you'll have a pound or two saved up! 

Avoid online shopping. Like I said before, you can't see the money disappearing. It hits you when it is too late. The money is gone. Of course you can return things, but some sneaky retailers can charge you ridiculous postage fees to send things back. 

Avoid using your overdraft. AT ALL COSTS. Don't spend money you haven't got. Simple as that. I know way too many mates who went into their overdraft last year at university and some of them were hit with massive fines for not being able to pay it off. 

Let me know if you have any tips of your own - I need all the help I can get!

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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