Tips to save money as a student

By Vaidehi Tembhekar

Tips to save money as a student

As a student, expense is something that will always be on your mind and you will constantly be looking for ways to save money wherever you can. Here’s a list of a few tips that I used in my first year to save money each month and I’m sure each of you will benefit from these too. ☺

NUS and NUS Extra

NUS is short for National Union of Students and is a voluntary membership organization who work to ensure the best student experience. This is done by helping students campaign, get discounts and by providing advice on living student life to the full. The NUS and NUS Extra card will get you many discounts that your student card will not. This includes discounts with Asos, Amazon, Odeon, MS Office and many more. Trust me, this is definitely worth the investment!

Rail card and coach card

If you know you love travelling then I suggest you don’t hesitate purchasing the rail and coach card. They may seem expensive initially but they are definitely worth it in the long run. These cards will save you 1/3 of the total cost and it makes a massive difference on every journey.

Student discounts

At the start of university, you will be given a student card with your photograph and the duration of your study. Numerous shops, restaurants and bars accept these cards and offer discounts. Always remember to ask if they accept student cards so that you don’t lose out!

Budget

As a university student, you will soon realize the importance of budgeting. Budgeting will allow you to manage your money carefully and sometimes ensure you have money left over at the end of the month. To find out how to draw a student budget and stick to it, click here.

Get a part-time job

International students are allowed to work for a certain number of hours a week and this can definitely work in your favour. It is a good way to boost your CV, gain new skills and of course, earn a bit of extra money. This will relieve stress whilst you are at university.

Remember, there is always a cheaper way!

Never buy something on the first price you are given. Do some research – visit a number of shops to compare prices, look at prices online and see if you can use any discount coupons to reduce the prices even more. If you want to look for books, buying second hand books may be a viable option as you will need the books for a short period of time and they will be cheaper. Always try to exhaust your options before making a rushed decision.

Avoid takeaways

Staying away from takeaways will help you save money as a lot of the food is overpriced. However, takeaways in a group are a much better option as the individual cost turns out to be a lot cheaper. Another option is to cook larger meals and freeze leftovers wherever possible.