Ideas for a student to save cash?

rob16d

Any advice/support for a student trying to save some cash?

tinkerbel

Spend less?
When you do shop, shop cleverly - student discount, sale, loyalty cards, cheapest petrol, food, shop with friends and share BOGOFs and large packets etc
Part time job? if youre a student in a major city there are probably some hospitality/other agencies which will take you on easily
Make excuses for not going out or go out cleverly? (free entry, get places before you have to pay, tickets in advance drink before you go..) A good thing - tell people you actually can't afford things, maybe then they will stay in with you/appreciate more why you look stingy/tight
Value food and never have to use convenience shops?
Cheap alcohol if you drink
Psycology studies?
Be careful with bills, turn everything off etc
Walk instead of the bus etc (or buy a buss pass)
Have a savings target
Stooze your student loan that youre not using all of / any spare overdraft
Stock up (if poss lol) from your parents in holidays

I guess all of these are obvious and general and I dont want to sound insulting with them but hey, I wasnt sure if you meant save more as in, how is best to save, or how to not spend cash..
I am also a student though by the way (manc) trying to save too for the spending money for my holiday to disneyland in the summer. I am saving by spending less, and making lots of little transfers from my current account to my online savings account (say I go out with £30 and come back with £10, the next day I will maybe transfer the £10 to the savings account)
Not sure how helpful this is but I tried!

Patrick20

Dont be a student.
thats my advice. you would spend thousands less.

Seriously the best and simplest saving tip I can give is
TAILOR YOUR CASHFLOW TO YOUR LIFESTYLE. and the other way around.

student = own brand beans

:beer:

mistyarthur

well thats just awesome advice there patrick. I can only hope your joking!!!

Lokolo

Yeh tinkerbel's suggestions are what I do most of the time...

If you don't mind eating crap for dinner (its alright really) buy 6 for £4 Asda meals... lol yes its less than a £1 and goes with chips so like lasagna and chips. Toad in the whole... and chips.
Also last week Asda was doing 40 kitkats for £2! yes £2!!!! So I stocked up on these and they are lasting me until Easter woo woo.

Going out wise, I only tend to go out every few weeks just to make a point. A lot of my hall mates are in their overdraft, complain they don't have any money etc. and go out twice a week....

But I am plugging a lot of money into savings for a hosue deposit a few years after graduating.

Theres always summer jobs too and christmas!

Cleosmum

Scrap the 6 for £4 meals and cook from scratch, much cheaper and healthier. I bought a student grub book at a fete for 10p and its brilliant, has everything in there to cook from scratch on a budget.

System

- Get a Job
- Scrap take-outs - cook your own food
- Shop in budget supermarkets
- If renting out own place be careful with electricity/phone/water bills
- Some unis pay students to take part in studies & events
- Go out to free places (free clubs entries etc)
- Spend as little as possible on alcohol - best thing is to drink cheap alk before you go out.

Lokolo

Cleosmum wrote: »

Scrap the 6 for £4 meals and cook from scratch, much cheaper and healthier. I bought a student grub book at a fete for 10p and its brilliant, has everything in there to cook from scratch on a budget.

Something yes but usually I have found its a lot cheaper to buy a lasagna rather than make one

merlinormartin

- Ask "Student services dpt" if you can sign up to become a "tour guide" for new parents/students, they pay a few ££ and its fairly easy.

- Ask the phycology/medical dpt about any up and coming "trials" they usually invole measuring brain waves, or answering lots of questions. The average pay seemed to be around £15-£20.

- Apply for a job at the student bar, that way you will be able to enjoy the music/bands but will be getting paid for it.

- Offer to shop/run errands for house mates, you often get to keep the "change"

- pasta with every meal..cheap yet filling!

- cycle to uni, rather than public transport.

- If your a 1st class student, offer your "knowledge" to other students, at a price

- Vist "sudent services" and check you have applied for all available
bursarys/funds etc

-Have house parties, it saves on taxi fares and most people bring their own drinks so you can share theirs.

- Take your own drinks/sweets/dinner never buy from vending machine, cafe etc

- Last but not least, drink/party/drugs/skint/late nights are all major aspects of becoming a student, dont skrimp to much, enjoy your uni experience and leave the "sensible" money saving until your in a "real job"

Frozenace

Find a degree related freelance job if you're any good. I got paid 20 quid/hour to work on some web application project and didn't even have to pay tax on it

paul_raynes

Now i'm a fourth year student i have developed many ways to save money. These are my best tips

1, Join a society

Your university probably has a wide range of societies and clubs. Join the right one (probably the Business society) and soon you'll be having free trips away and attending free seminars with complimentary food.

2, Chilli in a tin

Co-op has the best chilli in a tin. £1.29 (you'll only need half a tin) and buy a massive bag of rice. It's the best tasting cheap meal there is

3, Dinner Parties

Invite a load of friends round and tell them to bring a pound and something to drink. £10 will easily make 10 people a nice 3 course meal (if your main is pasta and you make your own sauce) and at the same time you're having fun with your friends.

4, Charity Shops

Cheap clothes, cheap films and keep an eye open and you'll find bargain presents. Church events and car boot sales are good too.

5, Get a girlfriend

Suddenly a free night in watching a film isn't so boring.