Hey all,
I guess I felt this was the most appropriate place to post this, since I feel awkward about "bragging" about my personal finances, but as of my deposit of another $250 into my savings account this afternoon, I have saved enough between my investment balance and my savings account to pay off my 30k commerce degree fees!!
Of course, I consider my ability to save so much in no small part to my parents who who are willing to house me for minimal rent($125 a week) and my doing of the chores around the house. But I hope that this can be an inspiration for some of the students here to keep saving, because before you know it, you'll hit 4 then 5 digits, then maybe soon 6!!(well i tell myself that)
In terms of finer details, I started savings in 2011(when I started my course), and managed to save about $150- 200/month until about 2013, when I realised I wanted to get serious about savings, and started piling in 66% of my current income to my stockmarket account ( which is about $800/month going into savings), and using the rest for expenses. I would have never thought that I would be able to save enough to cross out my student debt before I graduated, but HOORAY I guess :).
Issue now is whether to pay off my HECS debt which has an interest rate of 2-3%, or leave it in vanguard.. but that isn't really a bad problem :P