myday Monopoly, spending your budget wisely!
05th March 2019Welcome to the next instalment of Collabco’s face behind the logo series, where we give you an insight into the people behind myday. This time it’s our Finance Administrator Catherine, who gives us her views on balancing budgets, investing in technology and travelling the world cheaply. Find out the secrets below!
Q – When did you join Collabco and what attracted you to the company?
A – I joined Collabco in July 2018, so I have been here for around seven months now! One of the main things that attracted me to working here was that I would get the opportunity to work with other areas of the business. Whilst most of my work is in finance, I do get to help in other departments which I really enjoy. The location was also a huge attraction for me, saves me a gym membership as I can walk here!
Q – What is your academic background and how did you get into finance?
A – I graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2017 with a degree in Maths and Business Studies. As I studied a joint degree, I covered a lot of different modules, but the finance modules were the ones I enjoyed the most and found the most engaging. I have always been interested in starting a career in finance and my degree confirmed for me that this is what I wanted to do. I have recently started studying the ACCA qualification which I am really enjoying, and I am looking forward to developing new and existing skills in the world of technology.
Q – Why is it so important to invest in technology from a ‘value for money’ perspective?
A – Technology is becoming more and more essential in the modern workplace, from simply communicating with others to effectively managing your finances. Failing to get behind this movement could severely impact a company’s ability to work in the modern world. New legislation such as GDPR means that companies need to invest more in securing customer privacy and ensuring that their data is handled appropriately.
Q – Why are budgets so important to a business?
A – Budgets are a key element in any business, they help with both the planning and control of finances. A budget will help you to plan ahead by providing an estimate of income and expenditure over a period of time, this is crucial when managing the cash flow of a business. They are a great way to help people understand what financial resources are available and ensure everyone is working towards the same goal.
Q – What are your tips for saving money as a student?
A – I was lucky to have a job when I was at university, and even more lucky as I only had to work when I came home in the holidays, so I found it quite easy to budget. A very easy way to save money is to buy food in bulk and freeze meals. You don’t realise how much more you spend if you go to the shop every day for meals compared to doing one big shop a week. Make the most of your student discount too, it’s always worth checking where does student discount as you can often get money off in shops and restaurants.
Q – So, we know you are planning a trip to Australia, what is the cheapest way to get there and what would be some fun activities that don’t break the bank when you arrive?
A – I am planning on going to Australia this year for Christmas and New Year. I am very excited as I have never been there before! We aren’t going until the end of the year, so are hoping to book it as early as possible to get the cheapest price. We will also compare the costs of flying from different airports to get the best deal. My boyfriend’s parents are currently living in Australia as they have moved over there for a couple of years, so I am hoping they will have found lots of fun things for us to do when we arrive!
Are you currently planning your finances?