The Student's 'live for free' challenge

Smidster

Hi all,

I am just coming to the end of my first term at uni (Studying economics at Warwick on the off chance anyone else in in the area and feels like helping me pack :laugh: ) and am going home tomorrow :j.

While I have certainly tried to be as MSE as possible, buying all my books 2nd hand, avoiding the campus 'supermarket' wherever possible etc, I feel like a good old challenge for term 2.
So what is the challenge - basically, as the title implies, to live for nothing. The aim is to earn all of my spending money, excluding accomodation fees, from things such as cashback sites, clickthrough's, slicethepie and so on.
is it possible - who knows, I think i will have to earn around £200 over the period to do it as most things like course textbooks I now have and they were of course the major outgoings during term 1.
Couple of decisions I have to make now, any any imput is appreciated. Firstly should I include any earnings over the Christmas period - If I put my mind to it I shoud be able to get around £50 easily over the vacation which would clearly give me a good start to the challenge. How about stuff like interest payments which again will be a fair bit.
Any thoughts or advice?

mrsmortenharket

I don't know if family would have already bought you a christmas pressie but if not maye hint that they could get you a food hamper ot housekeeping hamper (do you live in halls or a share house?).

If you can get gifts that are useful, like shower gel etc etc that will cut down on yours costs for the next term.

Good Luck!

Lisa

hypno06

I reckon this is a tough one, but with a bit of focus and determination is quite do-able.

You have already recognised and avoided the "traps" that lead to student debt, so I have no doubt that you will get through this challenge.

As for the Christmas money - how about 50/50?

Nicolefury

I'd love to be able to do this, but I'm not sure if I'd have the willpower to do it. Saying that, I've stocked up on long lasting food, and plenty of shower goodies to last me a few months into the new year so maybe it won't be that hard?

Gemmzie

Definitely do-able. Good luck.
Boots is good for collecting up points, I've been collecting mine for about eight months to cover all toiletry stuff. Because even if you're skint you need loo roll, make-up remover and mascara

evesham1988la

Hi Smidster...

Tesco Cannon Park are very good with vouchers for when you are not buying the product. The £4 Daily Mail Book vouchers are in the paper on the first Saturday of the month and the following Friday so you can effectively get shopping for free - as a rule i never spent more than £1 of actual money each time i went to Tescos.

Last year if I were to go out two nights in a week it would be Top B and Varsity on Thursday (because its v. cheap) - although Top B is a bit rubbish now imo...

In the psychology department, the researchers down there need a lot of volunteers for their experiments... which usually just involves pressing a lot of buttons and is tediously boring but the pay rate is £6/hr - but worth it if you have an hr gap between lectures. Here's the link: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/psych/about/experiments

Can thoroughly recommend doing some odd temping jobs through Unitemps, whenever you feel like it. You can usually find things for the next day.

Also, if you are going to Leamington for Evolve/Smack/whatever use the Number 12 and not the Unibus - its cheaper - £5.50 for a group of 5 on 12 instead of £2.40 each on U1.

I managed 'to live for free' in Term 2 so it is possible!
Good Luck!

Smidster

many thanks for the advice, and good wishes, and a very good link evesham - hate those annoying one or two hour gaps that are too short to do anything productive so that could be an ideal solution.

on the Chrismtas income I think I will use christmas day itself as the 'start' so it effectively cuts the holiday in half.

I think I will use this thread as the 'diary' for the challenge and anyone else more than welcome to join in.

It's amazing the difference that not drinking makes..what I have spent in the entire term other have spent in 1/2 of it just on alcohol

setmefree2

Hi

Good Luck:T:T:T:T

Prudent

Smidster this sounds a great challenge. Sadly my student days are well behind me or I would be up for it too. I would recommend you have a look at the comping forum as well. Might also be a lucrative use of those hours between lectures if you can get access to the internet then. Its lots of fun too

Good luck

duchy

I was a mature student so needed every penny as supporting three of us on a part-time job. Haunt the SU-the offices not the bar Get to know the staff as they will often tell you about bits of work that come in before they even hit the noticeboards-market research can be good-the best I did this year was £70 for 3 hours the average is £40-50. Any kind of catering temp work is good as it often includes free food. If there's a party and people are clubbing together for booze and or food-offer to organize it. Tesco points (and a google search will always find you a money off code to cover delivery) all add up.
Definitely try comping lots of CDs DVDs gig tickets-either to sell on or as treats for you.
Looking forward to seeing how you get on with this challenge

FunBrum

What a great challenge to yourself, and good luck:T

Don't know if my suggestions are any help but here goes.

1. Hang around supermarket deli counters and places like
Braggs, as there are always nibbles going begging, on the
hope that you will purchase the food on offer.
This also applies to alcohol too. M&S are really good for this.
I have spent many a happy hour sampling the delights and
came away feeling full and on occations,
quite tipsy, for free. And we all know free is good!:rotfl:

2. I once spent a whole 6 month without having to buy
any shampoo as I had sent off for a number of free samples
that kept me going, and I still do send off for every free sample
out there. Although my postman hates me, a price I am willing
to pay, at least then I don't have to tip him at Christmas!
If I can't use them, then I pass them on. You will be surprised
the number of things I have obtained swapping unwanted samples
for things I wanted/needed.
Take a look at the 'freebies' thread on this site. Also subscribe
to a site called 'FreeUK.com', it's free and they email you all there
free offers that are available.

3. Entertainment can also be done at minimum expense. I know you
have the Arts Centre at Warwick, (I have haunted the campus in
the past) so why not see if there are any gigs on for free.
Sometimes you would be pleasantly suprised at the high standard
of entertainment that is out there. Pubs also have various bands
on in the hope that you will spend dosh at the bar. You don't
have to get rat-faced to have a good time. Try sipping a soda,
or if you are adventurous, vodka in a hip-flask added to the soda
works for me! God....do they do hip-flasks still? I'm showing my
age now!:rotfl:
What have you lost if the band sucks? At least you're out of your
digs and don't have to heat the place whilst you out!

I hope I have helped a little and I'll look forward to checking on your
progress. Good Luck!:T