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As a student at Algonquin College, it is very important to keep track of your spending.  This information will help you understand what a budget is.  It also includes many helpful hints on being a budget-wise consumer.

WHAT IS A BUDGET?
A budget is a financial plan which sets limits on the amount of money that will be
spent on each category of expenses in a given month.

Benefits of budgeting:

• Puts you in control of your money
• Reduces stress
  
• Provides a financial cushion to cover any emergency situations that may arise

MONEY-SAVING TECHNIQUES
The following money-saving techniques were created by students at the College:

Food

• Learn to shop and cook!
• Plan your meals for the week
• Make shopping lists and stick to them
• Purchase larger, no-name brands of non-perishable items (i.e. peanut butter, pasta,
    rice  etc.)
• Purchase in bulk as much as possible (spices, snacks, laundry detergent, etc.)
• Use coupons/check flyer specials
• Shop on a full stomach
• Pack your own lunch and snacks

Clothing/Furniture

• Check out the bargains at Ottawa's Value Village, Salvation Army Thrift Stores,
    Phase II  and other clothing consignment stores
• Church rummage sales (usually in the Spring and Fall are great places to find
    bargains
• Check out garage and yard sales (many are advertised in the newspaper
• Discount stores, for new clothes, such as Winners and SportMart, both located on
    Merivale Road
• Ikea has an 'as is' section.  Is noted for good furniture deals.

Social Life / Going Out

• Some restaurants offer student discounts (2 for 1)
• Going to the movies before 6 p.m. for cheaper admission or on Tuesday's 'cheap
    movie night'
• The Mayfair theatre (located on Bank Street) has reruns of recent movies at good
    prices
• For live theatre and music sign up for RUSH, student discounted seats at the NAC
    www.liverush.ca
• When clubbing, alternate a glass of water with what you are drinking. Pay as you order,  avoid running tabs as they can get costly.  Also, dancing throughout an evening will help you spend less

Computers and Internet Access

• College Access Centre, C102 is available for full-time students use 24/7
• Computers in local libraries - visit www.smartsites.ca for a listing
• Algonquin College offers free dial-up for students with a residential phone line and
  computer
• Check with ITS, (C316) for services, software etc.  The Computer Store located near
  the Bookstore offers economically-priced software.
• The College has ' basement sales' three times a year for outdated PC's, hardware, computer desks, etc.
• Free software is available at www.download.com
• Purchase second-hand hardware and software from other students.

Testbooks and Supplies

• Purchase used books. Check the General Interest Bulletin Boards located in B building and across from the Bookstore. Check with the Students' Association as well.
• Websites: www.textforsale.com and www.textbooktrader.ca are great for second-
    hand textbooks
• Borrow or share library copies from the Learning Resource Centre (C205)
• Staples (located on Merivale Road) and Grand & Toy (located at College Square) are great stores to shop for school supplies

Avoid the Credit Card Blues

• It is all too easy to make purchases when you just have to pull out the 'plastic'
• Many people use credit to make ends meet and they find it hard, if not impossible to make all the monthly payments
• Factor in the high interest and you get the Credit Card Blues
• If you have trouble making the minimum monthly payment, you need to cut back on credit card spending

Practical Money Saving

• Pay cash whenever possible (use your credit card for emergencies only)
• Brown bag it.  Pack your lunch and save money
• Limit your cell phone use during the day
• Purchase a SPC shopping card at the bookstore from September to March each year or pick one up at all major Shopping Centres like Bayshore or St. Laurent. 
  Check www.spclive.com

Resourceful Links
www.canlearn.ca
www.cibc.com
www.bmo.com
www.scotiabank.com
www.tdbank.ca/student
www.debtfreegrad.com

Financial Aid Office
Address:  Room C225, 1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K2G 1V8
Phone number:  (613) 727-4723  Ext. 7678
Fax number: (613) 727-7604
Email:  financialaid@algonquincollege.com

Hours of Operation:  Fall and Winter Hours
Monday - Friday  8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Summer Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Website: www.algonquincollege.com/financialaid