Student Money Saving Tips

Student Money Saving Tips

·         Plan meals in advance

Walking back from a lecture, don’t get too tempted just to grab a quick lunch and a coffee with friends. Preparing food at home is a great way to save money over the week, and there’s no need to cut back on the ingredients you love if you budget correctly.

·         Enjoy student discounts

Congratulations – you are now eligible for a ridiculous number of discounts. This doesn’t mean you should be increasing your spending just to enjoy them, but it does mean savings when you do go shopping. Always check with retailers if they offer student discount, and check out https://www.myunidays.com/ - you’ll be surprised just how much you can save, and you can even download an app to your phone.

·         Travel smarter

Now you’ve moved away to university, travelling home for a weekend or visiting friends at other universities can be a costly affair, but that doesn’t have to put you off. There's the 16-25 railcard that can get you up to a third off rail fares, and coach cards which can save you up to a third off coach travel too. Always try and travel at off-peak times if you can, and book your travel as far in advance as possible – this way you’ll get the cheapest fare and your discount!

·         Sell, sell, sell

Are your text books from last year just lying around gathering dust? Your textbooks are surprisingly valuable, so when you’re sure that a book is no longer necessary for your studies, head to Amazon to trade it in for a gift card, or John Smiths on campus to trade it in, or even try advertising it to students in lower years – they’ll save a fair few of their precious pounds by buying it second hand, and you’ll be able to fund your next weekend’s activities!

·         Buy non-branded

The quality of own brand labels is often indistinguishable from that of branded produce. Avoiding the household names can mean a hefty saving on filling the fridge, so you’d be wise to look beyond the labels.Next time an all-nighter leaves you with a headache, remember that the same principle also applies to medicines. Branded pain killers can be significantly more expensive than supermarket versions, which often sell for less than £1.

·         Avoid the kebab shop

You’re on your way home from another night of dancing and trying to converse over a deafening beat. It’s time for something greasy, and you can already smell the kebab shop on the crisp morning air… STOP!! Adding fast food to each and every night out is going to take its toll, not only on your waistline, but also on your finances. Indulge in some cheesy chips from time to time, but if you’re serious about saving money, try returning home to a bowl of cereal or some toasted pitta… and a pint of water or two!