UQ1320

Is it better to reduce living costs or work more hours part-time?

Which is better depends on your circumstances. Identify expenses you can realistically reduce, such as housing, food, and communication costs, then use your hourly wage to calculate the part-time hours needed to cover any remaining shortfall and compare the options. Whichever you choose, keep the impact on classes, study time, sleep, and health within manageable limits.

Key points

  • Identify reducible expenses and any shortfall that remains after reducing them.
  • Use the shortfall and your hourly wage to calculate the additional work needed.
  • Consider the effect on classes, study time, and sleep.

Things to check

  • A suitable level of cost reduction or working hours depends on commuting time and personal living circumstances.