Uni Prep 3: Fix Your Finances

You've got your reading list, course timetable, and maybe even a new kettle, but what about your finances? Starting university might be the first time you'll be fully responsible for managing money day-to-day.

Between rent, groceries, social plans, and the occasional late-night snack stop, things can quickly add up.  For neurodivergent students, the extra admin of tracking money, remembering bills, or managing impulsive spending can feel overwhelming. But a few small systems can help make money less stressful and more predictable.

Here are six tips to help neurodivergent students keep money stuff manageable.

1. Set Up Safe Structures

Some students find it helpful to break big payments into smaller chunks. One way to do this is having your loan paid to a parent or trusted person, who can then transfer a weekly amount (or load it onto a prepaid card). It’s not for everyone, but if managing one large sum feels stressful, this can take the pressure off and make budgeting more straightforward.

2. Audit Your Subscriptions

Forgotten free trials and old app sign-ups drain money quietly in the background. A quick check at the start of term can free up cash for things you actually want.

3. Separate Your Bills

Choose a bank account that allows you create separate “pots” or “spaces.” Have your rent and bills money move into one pot the moment it arrives – so it’s protected from day-to-day spending.

4. Use Visual Cues

Try marking no-spend days on a calendar and give yourself a small reward when you hit a milestone. Or, flip it around: plan specific “spend days” for treats. Either way, structure reduces decision fatigue and helps tame impulse buys.

5. Add Friction To Spending

Make it harder to buy in the heat of the moment – turn off one-click purchasing, delete stored cards in apps, or keep your bank card somewhere out of reach when you’re studying or scrolling.

6. Talk It Through

Find someone safe – a parent, friend, or mentor – you can be honest with about money. Not to judge, but to listen and help you check if that “must-have” purchase is really what you want right now.

Most universities also have hardship funds, money advice teams, or student unions that can offer guidance if things feel unmanageable.

Money management at uni isn’t about being perfect, it’s about setting up little systems that save you from stress later. With a few tweaks, you can spend more energy on studying, friends, and all the good parts of uni life, instead of worrying about your bank balance.

This is part of our four-part Uni Prep blog series, designed to help neurodivergent and disabled students feel confident and supported as they start university.

Explore the full series

Part 1: DSA Demystified
Part 2: Check Your Tech
Part 3: Fix Your Finances
Part 4: Start Uni Strong