Last Updated: June 8, 2025
Written by: Rafiq Hasan – Blogger & Broke-No-More Ex-Student
Back in 2019, I was living in a tiny mess room in Khulna, broke, tired, and constantly wondering how some of my friends were managing to earn real money while juggling classes.
I’m not gonna lie — it was tough. I made a ton of mistakes. But eventually, I figured out a few things that actually worked. If you’re a student trying to earn your own money and stop relying on your parents for every little thing, this post is for you.
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| How Students Can Actually Become Financially Independent (Without Burning Out) |
Why Bother With Financial Independence as a Student?
Short answer? Freedom.
Long answer? When you don’t have to ask for money to buy data, pay for a short trip, or grab a decent meal, life feels lighter. You also gain a kind of quiet confidence that’s hard to explain. Like, "Yeah, I got this."
It’s not about being rich. It’s about not being stuck.
Step 1: Know Where Your Money’s Going (Seriously, Track It)
This is the one thing most students ignore. I did too.
But one day I looked back at my bkash statements and realized I’d spent over ৳2,000 in a month… just on random snacks. That was a wake-up call.
What helped me? A notebook. Yep, just writing down daily expenses manually. No fancy apps, just pen and paper. It made me pause before spending and helped me see patterns I never noticed before.
Step 2: Find One Hustle and Go All-In
Don’t try 10 things at once. I did that. Ended up doing none of them properly.
Instead, pick one thing and get decent at it. Maybe it’s:
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Teaching juniors (math, English, ICT — anything you’re good at)
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Writing for local blogs or pages (Facebook pages pay small, but they do pay)
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Selling designs or logos if you're into Canva or Photoshop
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Running a small YouTube channel or Facebook page with niche content
I personally started with freelance article writing. My first gig paid me ৳300 for 500 words. Not much, but it felt like gold at the time. And I reinvested that into better Wi-Fi and online courses.
Step 3: Learn to Save Without Hating Your Life
You don’t need to save half your income. That’s just not realistic when you’re in uni.
What worked for me: I saved 10% of whatever came in — even if it was just ৳100. I’d immediately send it to a separate account (I used bKash’s “savings” feature). Out of sight, out of mind.
Within a few months, I had enough to buy a secondhand headphone set that I’d been dreaming about. That felt better than any fast food.
Step 4: Use the Internet (But Smartly)
We all scroll Facebook and YouTube. Why not learn while you scroll?
I used to watch random stuff until I stumbled on a few deshi creators talking about freelancing, digital skills, and personal finance. Changed everything.
Here are some solid keywords to start with:
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"Freelancing for beginners Bangladesh"
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"Basic graphic design with Canva"
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"Online income ideas for students"
Trust me, you’ll fall into a rabbit hole of useful knowledge. Just don’t get distracted by “earn $100 a day doing nothing” videos. That stuff’s 99% hype.
Step 5: Make Peace With Saying “No”
This one’s tough. When friends are going out every other night, and you’re stuck budgeting for Wi-Fi, it feels unfair.
But here’s the thing: every "no" now is a "yes" to something better later. I skipped a lot of outings and random buys so I could eventually afford a decent laptop. And that laptop? It’s now what I use to work remotely and earn money.
You won’t always have to say no. Just for now.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to earn thousands or live a perfect money life. All you need is a bit of awareness, some consistency, and patience.
Start small. Stick with it. And remember — nobody else knows what’s best for you better than you. Whether it’s saving ৳200 or landing your first online gig, celebrate the little wins. They matter more than you think.
About the Author
Rafiq Hasan is a Khulna-based freelance writer who used to survive on instant noodles and bkash offers. Now he shares money tips, productivity hacks, and stories from the other side of student life. When he’s not writing, he’s probably overthinking his next big move.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Please consult a licensed financial advisor for personal advice.
