20 Simple Tips to Save Money for Students

1. Make One Day a Week a No-Spend Day

Assign one day a week where you don't spend anything. It might be hard to do, but one day a week of not spending can amount to a lot of savings.

2. Discount Hunt as Often as Possible

Before you make an online purchase, you should always shop around for better deals, vouchers, or discounts. While you may not find something for everything you buy, the money you'll save from the discounts you do find will make it worthwhile.

3. Make Money From your Loan

The student loan is a large pot of money that you should do your utmost to make the most of. By taking a portion of it that you won't need and putting it into a high-interest account, you'll be able to make even more money from it.

4. Save on Your Public Transport

If you're frequently using public transport to get to university or into town, it will be cost-effective to get a bus or rail card. Of course, you should do the calculations to make sure it's the best investment.

5. Student Deals are Your Friend

Lots of businesses offer student deals, especially when you're living in a student-focused city like Birmingham. Keep an eye out for these deals when you're going to the cinema, eating out, or on any other occasion.

6. Stop Watching TV and Ditch the Licence

A TV licence is only legally needed if you watch or record live TV programmes on any channel or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer. You don't need a licence if you watch any other streaming service.

7. Try Working out at Home

Gym memberships can be very expensive, and it's hard to make the most of what you're spending. You can try working out at home using YouTube tutorials, or by going running or cycling out and about. 

8. Do Your Shopping at the Cheapest Supermarket

If you have a choice of a local supermarket, try shopping at the cheapest one. Both ALDI and Lidl come out as the cheapest supermarkets for a small basket, and Asda is one of the cheapest when doing a larger shop.

9. Do Your Regular Shop at the Best Times

You can often save money by buying reduced items at the supermarket, and the best time to find them is either in the evening or early morning.

10. Try Upcycling for New Furniture

If you're looking for some new furniture for your student accommodation, the cheapest and most environmentally friendly option is to use places like Facebook Marketplace to find furniture that people are looking to get rid of. Charity shops are another good option for finding cheap furniture.

11. Leave Your Card at Home on a Night Out

Taking your card out when visiting the town can lead to you spending a lot more money than you had planned. Try taking out some cash to spend instead.

12. Make Packed Lunches

Making your own food at home and bringing packed lunches can save you lots of money, as buying meals and drinks while out and about will be much more expensive.

13. Plan all Your Meals

Food waste is an insidious culprit of lost money. Try planning all your meals so you only buy what you need, and avoid throwing away both your food and money.

14. Eat Before you Shop

Shopping when you're hungry is a very easy way of spending more money than you had bargained for. Make sure you've had a good healthy meal before shopping so your head is in the right place for making decisions.

15. Track Your Expenditure

Knowing exactly what you're spending and where can be difficult to work out, which means it becomes even more difficult to save money. By tracking all of your spending on a notepad, you can not only see where you need to cut back, but it might also give you a reality check!

16. Save on Postage by Using Click and Collect

If you tend to buy a lot of items online, the postage costs can ramp up. Try saving on postage by using click and collect. There are a lot more pickup points these days, so you should be able to find one that isn't too far away. 

17. Take Cash Instead of Your Card When Shopping

Taking just cash when doing your shopping limits you to that amount of money. This will help you avoid making frivolous purchases and stay within your budget.

18. Put a Portion of Your Student Loan into Savings

Once you've worked out how much you're spending each month, you can start to put any extra money from your student loan into a savings account. Having some money set aside in savings for when you need it will be useful in the future.

19. Walk More

Catching the bus or train to university every day for lectures can start to become quite expensive. If it's possible, walking to university instead will save you a lot of money, and be good for your overall health.

20. Search for the Best Deals with Your Student Accommodation

When you're privately renting your student accommodation, you should make sure you're getting the most out of your money. At Unihousing, we include utilities and your internet into the cost of your rent so you can see exactly how much you'll be paying for your accommodation.

How Unihousing can Help Students With Accommodation

Since 1984, Unihousing has been providing accommodation as a landlord near the University of Birmingham. Because we own all of the accommodation that we provide in Selly Oak, we can provide quick response times using our own qualified maintenance team. At our property office on Bristol Road, only a short walk from our accommodation, we deal directly with all of our tenants.

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

Contact Unihousing today to find out more!

A Break from the Norm: Places to Visit in Birmingham

While you may be in Birmingham to study at university, it makes sense to make the most of the opportunity and visit all the interesting places Birmingham has to offer. Here, are some ideas of places to visit when you want to take a break from your university work; ideas that may be useful when things get a little more stressful. These Birmingham activities are a great way to enjoy yourself with friends and relax, and are well-suited to the student budget, too.

 

It’s also worth noting that if you or your friends are looking for student accommodation, Unihousing’s Selly Oak student studios and houses to share are ideal for contemporary student living. With their excellent locations giving you quick and easy access to the local train station and public buses as well as shops, supermarkets, pubs, clubs and restaurants, Unihousing’s Birmingham student accommodation offers convenience with ease of living at an affordable price.

Fat Penguin Comedy Club, Kings Heath

Sometimes all you need is a laugh to let off a little steam. But, with this being a blog about student activities, the cost is an important factor. Fortunately, Kings Heath Comedy Club at the Fat Penguin is both funny and easy on your wallet. It’s actually free with a recommended donation of £5. Bringing together an array of different acts on a regular basis, the Fat Penguin is pretty easy to get to and with it being so economical, it is just right for you and your friends to enjoy yourselves on a night that suits you.

The Oasis

For some people, hitting the shops is a great way to enjoy yourself in whatever free time you have. And, obviously, making some purchases is pretty essential if you find that the wardrobe is looking a little past its best. What you may not be so aware of is Oasis.

This market on Corporation Street in Birmingham’s City Centre is layered over various different floors, each with its own distinctive character. It is there that you can pick up clothes, jewellery, memorabilia and other items for reasonable prices. Oasis has a distinctly alternative feel, encompassing a range of styles and products that you wouldn’t normally find on the High Street. It’s worth looking into as you might find something that really takes your fancy. Even if you don’t decide to buy anything there, it’s an interesting place to just go in and have a look around.

The Custard Factory

If you’re not new to Birmingham you may have heard of this place before. The Custard Factory is a brightly coloured, fascinating mix of unique shops, cafes, a cinema and more. It is always a good idea to check what is taking place at the Custard Factory, as it offers so much and always seems to be such a quirky contrast to so much of what else is in the City Centre. If you’re looking for unique and interesting events, make sure you check out what’s going on here.

The Electric Cinema

The oldest working cinema in the country, the Electric Cinema is still a draw for those wanting something a little different from going to the movies. So, if you’re a little bored of heading to the big, shiny multiplexes on week after week, the Electric Cinema might make a nice change for and whoever you go with. Presenting a more cultured choice of films as well as the selections that would ordinarily make it to the mainstream cinemas, Electric Cinema also features special themed nights and events. Keep an eye on their schedules and you might discover something that you simply must see or take part in.

Better Student Accommodation for You

If you are in need of student accommodation in Birmingham that meets your high standards then Unihousing may be the best route to take. Registered lettings agents based in Selly Oak, Unihousing’s well-presented, spacious studios and houses are furnished with all that’s needed for daily living and are ideal for the student who wants the right combination of comfort and convenience on a daily basis.

Contact Unihousing today to find out more and register your interest!

16 Tips to Help Prepare Yourself for University – Part 2

We're back with another blog containing some useful tips and ideas that are worth considering before your university experience begins in September. If you’re well prepared, you’ve probably already thought of the last 8 tips. However, these 8 should be a little more out the box and hopefully inspire you to make some more headway in your preparations towards university.

1. Build a Film Library

During your time at university you will find that you have periods of the day and week where there isn’t much going on; you’ve completed all of your university work, none of your friends are available, or you have some time to spare. After all you can’t be out socialising every minute of the day, and it can sometimes help to spend a little time on your own recharging. Therefore, we it can help to have a film library which you can dive into during your free time. While accumulating a load of DVDs or Blu-Rays is one way of doing this, spending some money on Netflix, Amazon prime or other streaming services can give you a lot of choice. If you’re sharing accommodation, it might be worth sharing a family account with your housemates.

2. Get to Know the Washing Machine

It’s unlikely that the washing machine you use at university is going to be an exact copy of the one you have at home, so getting some tips from mum and dad will come in very handy. Things such as knowing all the different materials and how to wash them, what all the washing symbols mean on your clothes, or how to remove certain stains can all come in handy. The more familiar you are with your washing machine, the more likely you are to adopt regular washing routines, which is especially important for your towels and bedding. If you do find that you don’t know how to wash something or how to use a certain washing machine, don’t be afraid to search online. This is a great tip to help you ease into living independently.

3. Work out the Local Transport Routes

Most students won’t be lucky enough to have a car at university as they are expensive to run. This means that you will be left with walking, cycling and public transport. Getting to know the public transport routes in the area will help you to travel the city with ease. You could also find you save yourself a little money by doing this. In addition to this, buying a rail/bus card can save you loads of money if you use public transport frequently.

4. Find Ways to Save Money

Saving money is much easier then you may first realise; cutting back on simple luxuries will help you save money for the more important things in life. Making use of loyalty cards can help you get some money back, as can getting a student discount card. Not sure if somewhere is offering a student discount? Just ask! Being savvy and making the most of any discounts or deals when they come about can really help you save money in the long run, just be careful about falling into the trap of buying something because it’s on sale, even though you don’t need it. Make sure you get your student discount card over the summer, so you have it when you need it.

5. Look for a Good Gym Membership, or Join a Sports Team

While films are a great way to fill your time, they are not the only way you can use your free time constructively at university. Being active and partaking in sports, or visiting the gym, is great for releasing stress and tension. Exercise can help your mental health and can even help with studying [1]. Start looking for ways to get exercising; the sooner you get into the routine of looking after yourself physically, the easier it’ll be.

6. Look at Your Study Modules

It’s always worth checking your course before you start in September. This will help you to get a bit more knowledge about your subject and get you excited for starting. There can also be work given over the summer, and it’s good to get this done so you’re prepared for the next year. A common one is reading specific books, but it is often course specific.

7. Learn How to Make New Friends

For students about to tackle the first year of university, making new friends is important. Your experience at university will be much more enjoyable if you can enjoy it with the people that you are living and working with. The best method for doing this is to join societies, sport teams and getting to know the people in your student accommodation. Everyone will be in the same boat of looking for new friends so don’t be worried.

8. Don’t Panic

Thinking about University may fill you with fear, and that not a bad thing. Spending time away from your family and friends, having to live and fend for yourself can be a difficult task but don’t forget, you’re not alone. Students from across the country will be experiencing the exact same thing, so relax and trust in your ability to succeed.

That wraps up our 16 tips to help prepare yourself for university. Hopefully these tips have helped to motivate and intrigue you enough to make an impact on what is for most students, the most memorable time of their lives. Good luck to all students starting University in September and thank you for reading. Don’t forget, if you haven’t sorted your student accommodation yet, we still have some available studios. Call today to book a viewing.

[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-benefits-of-exercise/

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.