The Thrifty Student

Top tips to save some money during your studies

by Lily Robbins

Inside the Age Concern charity shop, South Molton by Roger A Smith is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

Students are known for scrimping and saving to stretch out their loans as much as possible, especially since the pandemic with the cost of living increasing.

Below are three tips to help guide you in the right direction to save money.

Get organised and keep your finances in check

Sign into your banking to find all of the subscriptions you are paying for, and cancel anything unnecessary. Not only will this save you money, it also allows you to understand your outgoings to give you a deeper perspective on your daily allowance so that you can budget accordingly.

Shop at charity shops

Buying second-hand items is a great way to keep costs low, shop sustainably, and support a good cause. Whether you are looking for a new outfit, crockery for the kitchen, or even a new board game to play with friends, it’s always worth scouting the charity shops before deciding to buy brand new. You know what they say.. one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Eat at home

Yes, it’s tempting to eat out to claim your 10% off coupon, or simply buy a takeaway because nowadays you can have practically anything delivered to your door, but let’s face it this is a luxury that should be held for special occasions when working with a budget. Instead, try to buy the ingredients to eat at home. Taking it in turns to host dinner parties with your friends is a great way to socialise and can save you so much money. It is also a good idea to prep pack lunches and flasks of coffee for your days spent in university, morning coffees and meal deal purchases soon add up!