Student Budgeting Tips UCLA: How to Save Money in Westwood

Ong Ogaslert
Nov 12
2 min read

Introduction

Westwood is one of LA’s most vibrant college neighborhoods — but also one of the priciest. From rent to lattes, every dollar adds up fast. These student budgeting tips UCLA students swear by will help you manage your money without missing out on the Bruin experience.

1) Track Your Spending Habits

You can’t budget what you don’t measure.

Download Mint or PocketGuard and link your bank account.
Categorize spending into rent, food, transportation, and fun.
Review weekly to spot unnecessary charges.

Pro tip: Transfer a fixed amount to a “spending account” each month — once it’s gone, you stop spending.

2) Housing and Rent Savings

Share an apartment with roommates to split utilities.
Look for leases that include Wi-Fi or water.
Consider furnished units to avoid up-front costs.

Local tip: Apartments south of Wilshire Boulevard are often cheaper and still walkable to campus.

3) Smart Shopping and Food Choices — student budgeting tips UCLA

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Save on food:

Buy groceries from Trader Joe’s or Ralphs instead of take-out.
Cook in batches and store meals in freezer-safe containers.
Bring your own coffee to class instead of $6 lattes.

Save on shopping:

Use student discounts at Target and Amazon Prime Student.
Check Facebook Marketplace for cheap textbooks and furniture.

4) Transportation on a Budget

Use the free BruinBus for on-campus travel.
Buy TAP cards for LA Metro if you commute.
Walk or bike to save on gas and parking.

Pro tip: Avoid Westwood parking tickets — they’re $70+.

5) Entertainment and Student Discounts

Join student movie nights or museum free days.
UCLA offers free concerts, career fairs, and fitness classes.
Use Spotify + Hulu bundle ($5/month) for budget streaming.

Weekend idea: Plan picnics at Santa Monica instead of expensive restaurants.

6) Avoid Common Financial Traps

Impulse buying after midterms.
Ignoring utility bills until late fees hit.
Using credit cards for wants instead of needs.

Conclusion

UCLA students can live comfortably in Westwood without overspending. With these student budgeting tips UCLA students can save money while still enjoying everything LA has to offer.

Visit UCLA Universe Housing as a great resource to meet roommates and find off-campus housing atUCLA Housing Near Campus