Welcome to university life! While you’re discovering new clubs and restaurants, signing up for exciting societies and memberships, and stocking up on all of your university necessities, it is important to keep an eye on your finances. But don’t worry, saving a few extra pounds is a lot easier than you think! Here are the best ways to save some money, which will allow you to make the most of your university experience:
1. Buy and Borrow Used Textbooks
- There are several locations where you will find second-hand textbooks for a fraction of the price of new ones or even for free! The first place to check is your university library, which has a plethora of textbooks that you can borrow, which can additionally be accessed online. World of Books is a fantastic website that sells over 2 million used books. Other great online resources include Amazon and Google Books. You can even purchase used textbooks from other students via university Facebook groups.
2. Cook Your Own Meals
- Although it is tempting to order Uber Eats, especially after a long day of university, preparing your own meals can save you a lot of money in the long run. Though that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself to a takeaway every once in a while! Create a weekly meal plan, set a budget for groceries, and make your meals in batches to save you both time and money. Cooking with your housemates can make for a much more fun and enjoyable experience. Knowing how to cook quick and simple recipes is a great skill to have!
3. Track Your Expenditures
- Tracking your expenditures can be super helpful in identifying areas in which you are spending more than necessary. Simply jot down all of your monthly expenses, including rent, food, transportation, and leisure. Then make adjustments and distribute money accordingly. You may decide to cut back on meals out or choose to cancel subscriptions that you don’t use frequently. To help you stay on track, set up monthly reminders to note down your spending or consider using a budgeting app.
4. Use Public Transport
- Being more mindful of your travel expenditures can help you stay on top of your budget. Not only is it much more convenient, but it is also cheaper than taking a taxi or Uber. Plus students are entitled to many discounts for public transport. For example, the 16-25 railcard offering 1/3 off the rail fares, or the 18+ Student Oyster photocard, where you can save 30%. Walking or cycling is another great way to save on transportation fees.
5. Make the Most of Student Discount
- Student discount gives you access to thousands of discounts on top brands, from food to clothes, in-store and online. The most popular tools include Unidays and Student Beans, helping you get more while spending less. Remember, you will need to show your student ID for this.
6. Explore Free Activities
- Many university students believe that having a good time comes at a cost. Fortunately, this is not the case! There are many free activities for you to explore in your new city or town, such as visiting museums, parks, and galleries.
7. Use Campus Services
- Make the most of the services your university has to offer. You will most likely have access to the gym, so there will be no need to pay for an expensive membership elsewhere. Also, look out for on-campus events and activities such as movie nights, which tend to take place regularly.
8. Be Strategic when Joining Societies
- University is full of interesting, unique, and fascinating societies, and it might be tempting to join multiple of these. However, they do come with a fee, so try to stick to joining the ones that genuinely interest you and that you can see yourself enjoying for your entire duration at university.
9. Open a Student Bank Account
- Student bank accounts offer a range of benefits, and most of the major banks offer them. These include an interest-free overdraft, free discount cards and subscriptions, cashback, vouchers, prize draws, and even £100 when you create an account!
10. Make Use of Free and Discounted Software
- While at university, you will most likely need to use a number of applications and software. Thankfully, students can sign up for many of these for free or at a discounted price, such as Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Google Workspace.
Conclusion
With these money-saving hacks, you’re all set to dive into university life with financial confidence. By taking advantage of student discount, tracking your spending, and finding ways to save some extra money, you can fully enjoy the festivities without any worry. Embrace this new chapter, knowing that you’re making wise financial decisions along the way!