Making Cents: Smart planning will help with college cash flow

Students should take their finances in hand from the start, writes Gráinne McGuinness

THOUSANDS of households will be nervous tonight, as Leaving Cert students await tomorrow’s results. For many of them, this will be the start of higher education, leaving the family home and becoming independent. Course choices, saying farewell to family, and getting to know new people will be the priorities in the coming weeks.

But students should take their finances in hand from the start. Mistakes and splurges early in the academic year can come home to roost after Christmas — don’t be the housemate living on packet noodles from February until May.