Back home, many of us never touched rent money, argued over grocery bills, or worried about tuition deadlines. Parents handled the big stuff. Our only financial concern was how to save from the little pocket money we got to eat out with friends.

Then Canada happened.

Suddenly, one paycheck has to cover tuition, rent, groceries, winter jackets, a phone plan, and maybe even a bit to send back home. That shift is overwhelming—not because you’re “bad with money,” but because for most of us, this is the first time we’re managing every single expense ourselves.

And trust us, every international student has gone through that “oh crap, how am I supposed to afford all this?” moment.

But, there’s a silver lining. You don’t need to figure out your finances all out in one go. There are small, practical steps you can take and learn the art of managing your money as an international student (without cutting out all the fun).

If you don’t know where your money is going, it’s impossible to manage it. For one month, write down every expense—rent, groceries, Presto reload, and yes, that $1.83 medium double-double before morning class.

And don’t overcomplicate this. Use whatever tool is easiest for you—your Notes app, a spreadsheet, or even pen and paper.

If you’re a spreadsheet nerd, here’s how a simple budget sheet might look. 👇🏼

Most jobs in Canada pay biweekly. That means instead of budgeting for the whole month you can budget around each paycheck.

For example, if your rent is $700, set aside $350 from each paycheck. That way, rent will not feel like a giant hit all at once.

This trick will also help you stretch money more evenly across groceries, bills, and outings.

Pay bills → spend → save whatever’s left. But, you must have experience it too. Most of the times, nothing’s left.

So, flip the script. Next month when you get paid, move $20–30 into your savings (a bank account or even cash in an envelope, whatever works for you). Doesn’t matter if it feels small—what matters is building the habit.

That little cushion has your back when unexpected costs hit (visa renewal fee, winter jacket, or unexpected mobile charges).

If you’re not using student discounts, you’re literally leaving money on the table. Almost every bank, store, and institute has offers waiting for you.

Managing money here isn’t about cutting out all fun. It’s about building control, so you’re not constantly stressed about the next bill.

Most of us are figuring this out for the first time without parents as a safety net, and that’s okay. Start small. Stay consistent. Share tips with your community. And when you feel lost, know that thousands of us have been exactly where you are

If you’re thinking about what your next step should be, join the Re-defined community. It’s where you’ll find students in the same lifeboat, people who’ve cracked the system, and professionals from companies you dream of working at.