Tuesday, 20 March 2018

10 Easy Student Tips for Saving Money


1.         Be Careful With Your Overdraft.

Having an overdraft can be a real lifesaver. It can help you at times when you are struggling financially, as sometimes just that extra little bit of cash can be beneficial. However, it should be stressed that an overdraft is something you should approach with caution. Make sure you know what charges apply when you use your overdraft. Make sure you search around for good student bank account deals as well, you might be able to find a decent sized overdraft that comes without the dangerous charges.

2.         Don't Eat Out Too Often.

Eating in restaurants or other places around your local area, or even making use of the nearby fast-food options can be hard to resist; not only is it so easy, it's so tasty as well. While eating out or ordering take-ways is fine to do on occasion, you should definitely be cautious about doing this regularly. Not only could your health be negatively affected, but the costs of eating like this will quickly mount-up, too. 

3.         Cook Your own Meals.

Following on logically from the previous point, cooking your own meals is a recommended way for making better use of your money as a student. Hopefully many of you are already doing this or plan to. If not, be mindful of how cooking your own meals can help you to manage your money for the better. It can also be fun, healthy and great tasting!


4.         Switch Off Lights Where Possible.

All of us have left the lights on when we do not need them. It could be when we exit a room and forget, or when we’re just to lazy to turn them off. Making yourself aware of when lights are on unnecessarily and flicking the switch to off, can actually make an improvement to your student cash flow. Cutting down on energy usage in this way is good for the environment, too.


5.         Be Careful With the Heating.

Similar to the previous tip, cutting down on your heating bills is also going to help you reduce your financial outgoings whilst benefiting the environment as well. You may think that employing this financial tip is not going to be easy, but you may surprise yourself when you realise how many times you can cope without the heating being on. If it does get too cold, try warming up with a  jumper before turning up the thermostat.


6.         Make Use of Travel Discounts.

As travel can be a big part of the student lifestyle, getting from place to place on a regular basis can inevitably place a substantial amount of pressure on your finances. To give students a little help, there are various discounts out there for getting about on public transport. Savings can be made on travel in Birmingham by bus, tram and train, which is good news for your pocket!


7.         Avoid going out too much!

Everyone is different, and everyone has different expectations about how many times they feel they should be going out per week. Drinks, clubs, taxis homes- all these things take their toll on your bank balance. So, however much importance you personally place on nights out, it is always wise to be careful with how often you do this. Finding other things to do and being mindful of the amount you spend on nights-out is a sound approach to take to better money management.


8.         Buy Second-Hand.

DVDs, games and CDs are a great way to keep occupied when you're not studying. But it can be costly. Therefore, seeking out second-hand purchases at places like C-EX is something you may wish to consider. It means less money spent on fun things and more money saved for the more necessary things. 

9.         Discounts on Student Entertainment.

As a student, you are given access to a range of fun, interesting things at a discounted price. In addition to being a brilliant source for entertainment, the discounts that are available mean that you can keep the cost down. Make sure you always check whether you can get a student discount.


10.       Plan Ahead and use Student Discounts

There are a number of other discounts for students that you can find. Spend a little time doing some research on the internet, and you are sure to see what savings you can make. Trains, planes, hotels and student accommodation are all services where prices fluctuate throughout the year. The most affordable student accommodation is often let at the start of the season, leaving those who delay to pick from what’s left over. The cost of your accommodation can make a big difference to the amount of money you have left to enjoy yourself at University.


How Unihousing can help?

Your time as a student can throw a lot at you, and there's a lot to consider on a daily, weekly and termly basis. Where your finances are concerned though, there are various ways to make life easier for yourself. And if you need Birmingham student accommodation, or you would simply like a change of scenery, there are definitely options out there, as well. One of these options is Selly Oak-based landlord Unihousing. Boasting a selection of high-standard student accommodation, Unihousing provides student houses and studios that are ideally located and feature impressive furnishings. Available at very reasonable prices, contact Unihousing to find out more about their student properties today.

For more money saving ideas like this, see our top tips page

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