Making money for postgrad degree - help?

BethGrace1991

Hi,

I always read these threads but never post

Basically, next year I will graduate from university and am aiming towards moving to a new university to study for an MA, and I need help saving! Not for the actual course (funded through other means) but for an emergency fund should I need it. My aim is to save £1000 between now and September 2016, however I'm a tad stuck for ideas as to how to get the money together. I work placements on my course which means a part time job isn't an option (I need my evenings and weekends for assignment work) I'm signed up to Swagbucks and Qmee, I'm planning to sell some clothes on ebay and I hardly ever drink or go out (1-2 times every 6 weeks or so, normally karaoke...) and I'm still not really managing anything significant in terms of savings. Can anybody give me some hints and tips as to how to save a bit more?

Thank you all so much in advance!

asajj

Perhaps you need to cut your outgoings?

BethGrace1991

I spend about £15 a week on food and bus fares, and my rent including bills is £79. I'm not a very exciting student haha!

mlarmour

Do you have anything planned in your summer break?
I ask because you could do bar work at festivals and events in the summer. It's a pretty good deal if you can hack it, I sadly couldn't be I recommend it to everyone.

naturaljazz

I assume you have a summer break? If so register before with agencies to do catering, cleaning work. Low pay, no experience etc. That's probably the way to get extra to save. They aren't fussed for tonn experience. Cards in windows, cleaner / babysitter etc. Just save all you make.

BethGrace1991

Unfortunately I'm having to do 340 hours of placement over this summer break as I broke my leg just before I was due to start in February.

I'm going to look at part time jobs over summer nonetheless, hopefully I'll be able to get something to fit in with my placement!

horsechestnut

If you have the time there are other survey sights that pay out in cash (via paypal)but of course not vast amounts. See list on this site for further details. But here are some that I use:-
Mysurvey.com
onepoll.com
uk.toluna.com
others pay in vouchers:-
maximiles.co.uk
valued opinions.co.uk

Have you got the best bank account; you can get money by switching accounts, and earn small amounts of interest. See Martin's advice. I don't know if you can get, or want, a credit card, but Tesco or M&S give points for everyday spending and whilst not a fortune they may keep you in socks or get you a packet of sausages!!!
Hope that helps a little.

andy_little

What I do to boost my income is going to Boot sales/Argos seconds outlets buying the reduced toys and the designer clothes from boot sales.

Last week I got 50 Trio packed sky landers characters for £1 each then sold on eBay for £4 a pack then the buyer paid the postage making me £3 profit per and they sold out fast.

Jo_King

Depending on what your degree is in, you could try tutoring. This is a great time of year for GCSE or A level stuff - and you can charge £20-£30 an hour. Or see students a couple of times a week through the summer for a set fee.

Also try your university employment bureau. I used to do occasional one day work supporting research. Some of the staff or postgrads in your uni dept might need short term work doing over the summer.

BethGrace1991

Hi! Sorry for the late reply (it's assignment time) and thank you all so much for the ideas, I'm going to look into fitting work in alongside my placement... somehow and I'm definitely going to look into buying the clearance things at argos and selling them for a profit.

Thank you all so much!