If you’re wondering how to start a career in health and wellness, you may decide that med school is a great place to begin. Whether you’re planning on becoming a registered nurse, or have dreams of being a physician or surgeon, medical school is a great way to enter into a medical, health or wellness field and really start making some money in your new career.
That being said, medical schools are expensive, and it can be difficult to find a way to make ends meet if you don’t come from wealth. Even if you do have money, finding ways to save on living expenses can ensure that any student loans you take out don’t have as much financial impact on you, later in life. For example, a good idea would be to reduce your living expenses, as you’ll then likely require a smaller student loan than what you would’ve needed, if you were trying to cover your rent with it as well. Here are a few strategies to consider when it comes to reducing your living costs in med school.
Live at home.
One of the easiest ways to reduce your living expenses is to live at home, while you go back to school. This tactic might not at first seem to be a good fit in many people’s lives, particularly for those if wanting to have an independent lifestyle, or a more private personal life. However, just because it’s a Millenial stereotype doesn’t mean that the idea isn’t valuable. Particularly if your family is supportive of your dreams to pursue a career path in health and wellness, this might be easier to swing. It is certainly the best thing for your bank balance.
Even if your parents ask for some form of rent payment or extra help around the house, you’ll likely spend less living at home, than you would out on your own. It’s also worth noting that if you have aging parents, your presence at home might be even more important than you think, since you can help them with projects in the yard, run errands, and keep a healthier lifestyle. As a strategy for reducing your living expenses, moving back in with your parents can be quite advantageous.
Rent an apartment with fellow students.
Another way to save money on living costs is to share an apartment with small groups of friends or other students. This is a particularly good strategy if your family doesn’t live in the same area that you’re attending school. Being able to share a two or three-bedroom apartment between small groups of people, can lower your overall rent considerably, even in cities which have a higher cost of living. It’s also worth remembering that if you have a serious relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend, then sharing a room with them can also lower the rent significantly. While many adults don’t necessarily want to have roommates forever, splitting your rent with the right people while you’re in medical school can be worth the sacrifice if it means you wind up graduating with fewer student loans to pay back.
Work with a realty management company.
As you’re looking through apartment communities to live in while in school, a realty management company such as Venterra Realty can be a valuable asset. You have enough on your plate to prepare for your degree program, much less prepare for the various exams and certification tests to get into and pass your residencies. A realty management company has a variety of communities for you to choose from, and can ultimately help you work within your budget to find something that fits all of your needs. Especially if you’re planning on rooming with other busy medical students in an area you’ve never lived before, finding a local realty management company is a better way to help you find the perfect living solution while you’re in school.
