Posted on October 10, 2016 at 3:11 pm by BeeMyMinder
Top Tips for Student Money Saving: Part 2
Leading on from the first instalment of our Top Tips for Student Money Saving series, we’ve pooled together even more tips to help you save money whilst studying.
To read the first post, take a look here. Part one of this series covered how to save money on your utility bills, and how to save money on your food shopping.
Save money on your shopping
Make the most of student discount.
One of the best student perks is the Student Discount card. Most retailers near universities (especially in larger cities) will offer student discount, so it’s worth applying for an NUS (National Union of Students) card before leaving home. When you’re shopping, always ask if they offer a student discount, some retailers don’t display that they do to avoid reducing their prices.
Wait for the sales.
Always remember, retailers always slash their prices when a new seasons stock comes in. If an item of clothing has caught your eye, then you don’t have to buy it straight away. Wait until it goes into a sale before you start having a shopping spree.
Buy out of season.
Reduced coats and jumpers in summer, summer tops and shorts in winter, buying out of season is the best way to save money on clothes whilst studying. There might not be as much stock, but you’ll never have to pay full price if you buy out of season.
Charity shops are your friends.
For those with an eye for the vintage, then charity shops are going to become another of your best friends.
Not only are you grabbing a bargain, but you’re also supporting a good cause at the same time. This doesn’t just apply to clothing; you can get some fantastic items for your room or new house too, ideal if you’re moving and want to redecorate when you’re finished unpacking.
Save money everywhere else
Take a bit off the top.
It may not seem like much, but any time any money gets added into your bank account, make sure that you skim some from the total amount and move it into a savings account.
For example, if you work part time and save £20 a week, every month for a year, you would have saved £1040. The amount can reduce or increase dependent on how much you want to save, but this little nest egg can really help out should times get hard.
Haggle, haggle, haggle.
If you’re new to the haggling world, you just need to remember one simple thing. If you don’t ask, you don’t get! The worst that someone can say is “no” but sometimes you can save money by asking for a better deal.
For example, if you’re thinking about a new mobile contract then never take the first offer that’s put on the table. If you’re nearing the end of your current phone contract, then call your network and explain that you’re thinking about leaving. Most companies have departments whose sole aim to retain their current customers.
To find out how you could save, take a look at this “5 ways to secure a better mobile phone contract” blog post.
Get public transport (or just walk).
Walking or taking public is going to be one of the cheapest ways to get from A to B when you’re a student. Taxis are great, but the costs can soon add up if you’re regularly taking them. Students can now get discounted train tickets, and open tickets on buses are only a few pounds per day.
Don’t watch TV.
All University halls of residence have Internet readily available, so instead of taking a TV license then consider using streaming services such as Amazon Prime or Netflix. From as little as £5.99 a month, you can have access to box sets and films on demand.
If you’re studying full-time, then hopefully you won’t be at home during the day watching TV anyway, and everybody likes a good box set binge once in a while. Be careful though, recent changes mean you have to have a TV license even if you only use services such as BBC IPlayer, and you don’t want to be breaking the law.
So there we have it, our top tips for student money saving. What do you think? Have we missed anything out, or do you have your own tips on saving money whilst studying?
We’d love to hear your thoughts, so let us know on Facebook or Twitter. To find out more about how BeeMyMinder can help you save money on your bills, then get in touch with us here.
