As a student you have limited income, and the vast majority have to resort to borrowing, normally through a student loan.  But there are means to stretch this money as far as it will go so that you are not left with no money three or four weeks before the end of term.

For your convenience we have broken them down into separate sections:

Off Campus Living

• House and flat shares are certainly the most cost effective means of student accommodation.
• Try to find a property that includes utility bills, otherwise these can drive costs up.
• If you have to pay for utility bills, make sure they are paid on time as late payments will result in fines.
• Find accommodation that has appliance provided, most student houses should do, but check as you want to avoid buying white goods.
• Don’t spend a lot decorating your room, certainly make it feel homely but don’t go to great expense at doing so.
• Save money by using heating and lighting effectively and efficiently by turning off lights when they are not being used, try wrapping up in cold winter months as opposed to cranking up the thermostat.

Food and Drink

• Buy in bulk.  If you have accessibility to a car, you and a group of housemates may want to share the cost of a membership at wholesalers, such as Costco and go there and buy industrial sized bulks of non perishable products.
• Stock your fridge up.  This way when you get hungry late at night, you’ve no excuse to go to the nearest takeaway.
• See what offers supermarkets have in the local freebie newspapers.
• Forget about previous brand loyalty, sometimes own label brands are exactly the same as branded good.  Shop for groceries where they are cheapest.
• Porridge for breakfast.  It may look unappealing, but it is quick to make, affordable and will see you through to lunchtime.
• Ordering takeaways online?  Search Google for free promotional codes.
• Avoid going for a sit down meal at a restaurant with a large group.  Many restaurants charge a 15% service charge based on the number of you.
• Don’t unnecessarily tip when eating out.  If the service was bad, then don’t feel obliged to tip them.
• Don’t waste money buying bottled water.  Buy one bottle and reuse that by filling it up using tap water.
• If you need a coffee fix on the way to uni and stop off at Costa, Starbucks or any chain… Don’t.  Buy a small Thermos and make your own before you leave.  Doing this, over one semester  can save you at least £150
• Buy alcohol from the supermarket and drink that before going out.
• Go to the bars and pubs that have special offers.
• When going out, get money out earlier in the day and only take that out.  Leave your bank cards at home so you can’t spend more money when you’re out.

Computing

• If buying a computer for university, don’t feel the need to buy the latest machine with all the bells and whistles.
• Although laptops are “cool” for the same amount of money you can get an even faster desktop PC.
• Don’t feel obliged to buy additional warranties.  If buying new, it will come with one years anyway and some additional warranties are very selective in what they cover.
• Don’t be duped into buying Anti-Virus software at discount prices when buying the computer.  You can get free anti-virus software online and it is just as good.
• Ensure that you install some kind of anti virus software on the machine.
• Look for retailers or manufacturers that will sell both the hardware and software at discounted prices to students.
• If buying a printer for uni, check the price of cartridges as sometimes they can be very expensive.
• When ink cartridges need replacing, shop for them online or see if there are local companies such as Cartridge World that will refill the cartridges at a fraction of the cost.

Text Books

• Search for text books on your reading lists on eBay and other similar sites, or search notice boards around the campus.

Entertainment

• Do not think that in avoiding getting a TV license will save you money, if you get caught you’ll end up financially worse off.
• Rent DVDs as a group and share the cost.
• If you are serious about seeing the latest DVD releases each month, sign up to an online film rental subscribers such as LoveFilm.com
• Don’t go to the cinema at peak times; instead go the designate student days at a fraction of the cost.
• Volunteer at a local homeless shelter once a week, this will get you out of your house share and you get to help people in the local community.
• Avoid spending money on your days off or at weekends by being creative.  Go to the beach with your housemates, play a game of football in the park, etc.
• The internet is almost a limitless resource; there must be things to do on it to keep you entertained for a few hours a night.

Shopping

• When you shop, make full use of your NUS card and other shops offering student discounts.
• Buy in bulk.  If you have accessibility to a car, you and a group of housemates may want to share the cost of a membership at wholesalers, such as Costco and go there and buy industrial sized bulks of non perishable products.
• Ask for practical Christmas and Birthday presents.  It’s not exciting, but it will save you money during term time.
• Don’t feel the need to have the latest gizmos and gadgets, six months later there is a strong chance the prices will have dropped.

Transportation

• Don’t take a car to university, unless you must – if it is there you will be more inclined to use it as and you will have to pay for fuel, maintenance and so on.
• Rent a room close to the university campus.
• Walk, cycle or take public transport.

Communication

• If your phone contract is up for renewal, play companies off of each other to get the best possible deal.
• When looking for broadband and satellite television, do the same.
• Communicate via instant messengers and social networking sites.
• Consider using internet phone calling services such as Skype.

Make Some Money

• Some courses are so demanding that you may not have the time to get a part time job, but if you can try getting one where you can utilise staff discounts, such as in supermarkets.
• See which CDs and DVDs you own and don’t really need anymore, sell them on eBay to bring in some extra money.
• Sell your old textbooks online to generate some extra cash to buy new ones, but be careful as you may need to use them in later years.
• Consider volunteering for a medical study.
• Work as much as you can during the summer and Christmas holidays to generate as much cash as possible for term time.

Finally, sign up to the Money Saving Expert, where you can find hundreds of money saving ideas.

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Pennies are tight, and you want to stay in and have a cheap evening, but not sure what to do?  Whether you have housemates, live on your own or with your partner, there are many things that you can do to fill your time.

Here’s our list of things that you can do:

Play a Board Game

Shake the dust off of those old board games that you have, or go out and buy one as they can be cheap and be used over and over again.

For the older people reading this you could be nostalgic and go back to your childhood and play Game of Life, Monopoly, Scrabble,  Operation or Hotel – most of these are still available in online shops, or if not, try eBay.  Alternatively you could try the new generation of board games such as, Ingenious, Mr and Mrs, Articulate or Tension.

Rent the Latest Computer Game

From the old to the modern, invite some friends around, go to Blockbuster and rent out the latest computer game – invite some mates around, get a take away, have some beers and have a fun evening driving, shooting or whatever activity takes your fancy (on the computer!)

Rent that Film You’ve Wanted to Watch

Undoubtedly, there is one film that you have been meaning to watch for months, if not years.  Take the time to source it and either buy or rent it and settle down on the sofa and watch it.

Write That Overdue Letter

Modern technology has impacted all of our lives, so with a quiet night in, take the time to write a letter to a friend or family member that you haven’t spoken to in a while.  Email’s are quick and convenient, but sometimes its just nice to send or receive a letter.

Cook Your Favourite Dinner

Take the time to prepare and make your favourite meal and then enjoy with a nice glass of wine or a beer, depending on your preference.

Read

This may take a bit more than one night of staying in, but pick up a book that will keep you interested and read it.

Dance!

Everyone likes to dance in the privacy of their living room!  Turn on the CD player / iPod and just let yourself go wild in your living room or bedroom!

Have a Long, Hot Soak

Buy some bubble bath, some scented candles and a glass of wine and when you get home run a bubble bath, light the candles and enjoy a glass of wine.  You can even include reading a book whilst you do, doubling up on our list of things to do.

Organise

There must be a pile of papers or bills that you have been putting off organising for a long time, but if you’re looking to stay in and save some money, what better time to do it than then?

Have a Lads or Girls Night In

The lads version was covered earlier with the renting of a computer game, some beers and takeaway.  This may appeal to some girls, but for others it won’t, so as an idea, why not invite some female friends over, rent a film, get a takeaway and just relax on the sofa.

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