Obvious tips (from a first year) 18 February 2006 at 4:06AM edited 30 November -1 at 12:00AM in Student Money Saving 65 replies 14.6K views

djhworld

My name is Daniel, I'm currently in my first year at the University of Lincoln and have been applying a lot of the tips presented on these forums. However, I think I might be able to make my own contribution to prospective (or current!) students to help things along with the burden of finances and the general strain student life tolls on your bank balance!

- When going out at night, if you're planning a 'big one' as such, grab a few cans from your local shop (£3.36 for 4x Carlsberg at Spar!) and consume them before heading out. That way you are adequately 'on your way' as such, instead of paying the extortionate bar prices. Obviously this only really works for those who just stick to the lager. Not that I'm condoning the act of binge drinking, or living up to the student stereotype, but it saves me one heck of a lot of money.

Those who are sensible enough to stay off the alcohol, make sure you ask for no ice in your drinks, this isn't really a money saving tip as such but gives better value for money. People often complain to me when I do this because they think the drink you get won't be cold. I've hardly ever tasted the difference in temperature to be honest.

- When getting easy to cook meats like chicken breasts, wash your hands, open the pack and put each individual breast in a food bag. Put them in the freezer and use them when needed! I made the mistake of putting the whole box in then having to defrost ALL of them just to get one breast out!

- Invest in a bottle of fabric refresher (febreeze or equivalent) and dilute with water when half way through. These things are a god sent for when you can't be bothered to trek to the laundrette every week! (Much to the dismay of parents though, ahaha, students will understand)

- This tip is pretty obvious and standard but A LOT of people never pay attention to it. When you come back from a night out (or anywhere after spending money!) put all of your loose change (below 50p) in an empty pringles tube. Over time this collects and is useful for saving and/or emergencys! I can't believe how many people ignore this fact, one of my friends just chucked around 20p worth of changed into an ash tray in a club because it was 'filling his wallet'. I've got around £20 worth in mine!

There's probably more I can think of, but it's currently 4:05am and I'm starting to reach the point of tiredness.

Anything else anyone can think of?

Fossil_2

djhworld wrote:

Anything else anyone can think of?

Don't steal other peoples' food

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17536902

Amba_Gambla

fossil wrote:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17536902

heh heh heh

takes me back.......

muddled_midget

Instead of buying cans in my first year we all used to have a really cheap nasty bottle of wine before we went out, only £1.70 from the campus shop, set you up really well for the night! They even did a litre and a half bottle for £3 if it was a really special night... Not that I'm encouraging binge drinking!

freebie_junkie

djhworld wrote:

- Invest in a bottle of fabric refresher (febreeze or equivalent) and dilute with water when half way through. These things are a god sent for when you can't be bothered to trek to the laundrette every week! (Much to the dismay of parents though, ahaha, students will understand)

- This tip is pretty obvious and standard but A LOT of people never pay attention to it. When you come back from a night out (or anywhere after spending money!) put all of your loose change (below 50p) in an empty pringles tube. Over time this collects and is useful for saving and/or emergencys! I can't believe how many people ignore this fact, one of my friends just chucked around 20p worth of changed into an ash tray in a club because it was 'filling his wallet'. I've got around £20 worth in mine!

Anything else anyone can think of?

i agree with teh second (i have piggy bank which i put all money under £1 in and if my purse is full teh odd £1 also!)

but teh firsts?! yucksville! thats really rank! i have my own washer and i know it costs money to wash stuff but its kinda essential! i really dont think we students should try to cut back onmoney by not being clean! where will it end? cut back on soap, heating water, shampoo, loo cleaner- god it really doesnt bear thinking about! no wonder people call us teh great unwashed!

:rotfl:

Karnam

i used to work in the SU bar and in a cinema. the ice is pointless as the drink comes out of the tap thing freezing cold.

djhworld

Haha, I'm just saying, the febreeze tip just lets your existing clothes smell nice the next day, especially after being in a smokey environment. I do wash my clothes when they need washing! The only irritating this is the fact that our laundrette is ages away, well, I'd say about 400 metres away or so, but it's a job hauling all of your washing all the way there and back.

On the item about cheap alcohol, I totally agree.

If you go to Lidl, look for a crate of some German brand called something along the lines of "Finkbrau", about £6 - £7 for 24 bottles. It tastes rubbish, but it's pretty good for the price.

Another tip, if you have a 'scream' pub and/or club in your city, invest in a yellow card (£2) - that also saves you on drinks.

Oh god, I can't believe how much alcohol talk has been said already, it's made me realise how much us students consume!

StudentSaver_2

djhworld wrote:

This tip is pretty obvious and standard but A LOT of people never pay attention to it. When you come back from a night out (or anywhere after spending money!) put all of your loose change (below 50p) in an empty pringles tube. Over time this collects and is useful for saving and/or emergencys! I can't believe how many people ignore this fact, one of my friends just chucked around 20p worth of changed into an ash tray in a club because it was 'filling his wallet'. I've got around £20 worth in mine!

Every student should be made to do this. I do the same and I've a whole collection of silver and coppers built up. This stash is really useful when I fancy doing some laundry in the middle of the night and realise I only have a £5 note in my wallet!

Sharing food isn't a great idea. As mentioned above, you'd need to be living with exact clones of yourself for it to work, and if you're in university halls of residence or such like, the chances are that the people you're living with will be anything but clones of you! I know that's true for me anyway!

As for the alcohol consumption...we're a terrible bunch, us students!

Amba_Gambla

muddled_midget wrote:

Instead of buying cans in my first year we all used to have a really cheap nasty bottle of wine before we went out, only £1.70 from the campus shop, set you up really well for the night! They even did a litre and a half bottle for £3 if it was a really special night... Not that I'm encouraging binge drinking!

we used to drink buckfast before we went out. A bottle of buck, and you're sorted...... :D:D:D:D

Amba_Gambla

note: this was before buckfast became the sole domain of chavs......

I'm not a chav!

fran_from_willesden

I remember when you could a 2l bottle of lambrini for £199 from the local Day and Night. The stuff is minging but back then I didn't have a taste for expensive wine. here's another tip. If you drink wine/spirit with mixer, drink it out of a pint glass (borrowed from the pub) so you don't have to waste time refilling!