Money Advice Event builds key financial skills in students 

As part of the National Student Money Week campaign run by the National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMWA), EKC Canterbury College recently hosted a Money Advice Event, aimed at helping students build essential financial skills.  

Organised by the Student Funding and Welfare Team, the event brought together a range of expert advisors and organisations to provide students with the tools they need to manage their finances, both now and in the future. 

The event was packed with practical advice and fun, interactive activities that made learning about money management both engaging and accessible. 

A variety of organisations were present at the event, including NatWest, The Job Centre, the Students’ Union, and the College’s Careers Team. Everyone had the opportunity to learn about topics such as benefits, part-time work, budgeting, student loans, and more. 

NatWest provided workshops throughout the day on essential topics like savings, loans, credit scores, and budgeting. Students also received one-on-one advice from representatives, making it easier to understand how to manage their finances effectively during and after their time at College.  

The Job Centre offered advice on benefits and part-time job opportunities, while the Students’ Union provided information on discounts available to students, including food and clothes banks, Totum cards, and free gym passes. 

A representative from the Job Centre said during the event:   

“We’ve had many visitors to our table and they’ve inquired about various subjects ranging from job vacancies, civil service jobs, apprenticeships, career paths and CV support. The materials relating to CV preparation, links to job sites and civil service jobs that we brought along were quite popular as well. We’ve found that all the students who came by were very engaged.” 

The event also featured a variety of fun, money-related activities.  

The Shopping Basket Challenge had students guessing the price difference between branded and unbranded food. In a taste-testing session, students guessed which food items, like crisps and biscuits, were cheaper, highlighting how small changes can save money. An ‘Emoodji’ Game sparked discussions on how mood affects spending habits, while a Money Saving Tree displayed students’ tips.  

Additionally, free Weekly Meal Planners and Budget Recipes were handed out, alongside helpful leaflets on bursaries and transport savings. 

Here are some of the money-saving tips shared by our students at the event: 

– Set a budget when shopping   

– Make a shopping list and keep to it   

– Don’t always buy branded food as cheap alternatives can taste just the same  

– Start a savings account when you can and aim to save at least 40% of what you get   

– Work towards longer-term hobbies rather than getting lots of repeat purchases   

– Batch cook and freeze meals to save on food costs   

– Special offers are not always the cheapest option   

– Write a list and stick to it when you go shopping  

– Use a piggy bank which will help keep track of any change   

– Don’t go down supermarket aisles that you don’t need to   

– Avoid shopping when you are hungry   

Explore more about the Help and Support available at College, including Financial Support.