Writers 
Have you ever received money and felt like, “This time, I’m going to manage it well”? Then, somehow, a few days later, you check your account balance and start wondering what happened.
Welcome to student life. 😂
Being a student is already stressful enough with lectures, assignments, tests and examinations. But one thing that can make it even more stressful is trying to figure out where all your money disappears to.
Transportation Takes More Than You Think
One of the biggest expenses for many students is transportation.
Going to school every day, moving from one place to another, attending practicals or clinical postings and sometimes making unexpected trips can quickly eat into your money.
You might think, “It’s just transport money.” But when you calculate everything at the end of the week, you suddenly realize that those small amounts have become a serious expense.
Food Is Another Story
Then comes food.
You wake up and promise yourself that you will save money by eating at home. But after a long lecture, you are hungry, tired and suddenly that food vendor near school looks like your best friend.
You buy something small and tell yourself, “This is the only thing I’m buying today.”
Then you buy a drink.
Then a snack.
Before you know it, you have spent much more than you planned.
And the funny thing is that tomorrow, you will probably do it again. 😂
School Expenses Never Really End
As a student, there is always something to pay for.
Handouts, photocopies, printing, practical materials, departmental contributions and other school-related expenses can appear when you least expect them.
Sometimes you think you have finally planned your money properly, and then someone announces another contribution.
You just sit there thinking, “But I literally had plans for this money.” 😭
The Little Things Add Up
Sometimes, it is not one major expense that finishes your money.
It is the little things.
A bottle of water here. A snack there. Data subscription. Airtime. Toiletries. An occasional outing with friends. Maybe you buy something because you like it, even though you know you probably should have saved the money.
Each expense seems small at the time, but together they can become a lot.
Trying to Have a Social Life
Being a student does not mean you stop wanting to enjoy yourself.
You still want to hang out with friends, attend birthdays, go on dates, buy nice things and occasionally treat yourself.
The problem is that your bank account does not always understand your lifestyle. 😂
Sometimes you want to enjoy the present while also trying to save for the future. Finding that balance is not always easy.
Then There Is the Pressure to Make Money
Seeing other young people making money can also create pressure.
You start thinking about getting a side hustle, learning a skill or finding ways to earn online.
But while trying to make money, you are still a student with classes and assignments. It can feel like you are constantly trying to balance school, money and your personal life.
So, Where Does All My Money Go?
Honestly, I am beginning to realize that money does not always disappear because we are irresponsible.
Sometimes, life is simply expensive.
But that does not mean we cannot become better at managing what we have.
I am learning to pay more attention to my spending, separate my needs from my wants and avoid spending everything simply because I have money at that moment.
Student life has taught me that making money is important, but knowing how to manage it is just as important.
So, where does all my money go?
Apparently, everywhere. 😂
But hopefully, with better planning, a little discipline and fewer unnecessary expenses, I can finally start asking a different question:
“Where can I save some of this money?” 💰❤️