Feed the Piggy Bank

So,freshers is over and your bank account is feeling the burn. Not to worry, here is The Tab’s top 5 money saving tips!

Budget, budget, budget!

The first two weeks of Uni madness are over. Now it’s time to grin and bear it, and check that bank balance! To avoid being poor and miserable by Christmas, budgeting is key. Try and work out how much money you can set aside for food, bills, clothes and other expenses each month and save those pennies where you can. Take short showers. Hit the charity shops, sales and of course the student staple Primark. Stick extra blankets on your bed and invest in a wooly jumper. After all, turning the heating off is the perfect excuse to sit in your onesie all day (as if you needed one).

onesie = funsie

Food

Food can be one of the most expensive parts of living the student life. But planning your meals means that you’re less likely to have waste. Cooking with your housemates is the best way to keep costs down. Check out the reduced aisle in the supermarkets, most items can be frozen and saved for another day. Buy in bulk; 3KG of pasta costs under £3 in Asda and will last you an eternity! It’s also worth hitting the Market in the city centre, which seems to be the cheapest place to buy fruit and veg. If you fancy eating out, the Loaded Dog and the Dry dock do a burger and a pint for £4.95 or two meals for just £7!

Get your chef on

Pre-drink

The term pre-drinking should be instilled into every students mind. But having a few (or more) bevvies at home really is the key to a cheap night out. Spend a tenner on a bottle of Vodka before you leave and you might be less tempted to buy expensive drinks when out. Share a cab and voila! Your night may cost you under £20.

Cocktails the classy way

Books

It’s a rookie error that most freshers make, but don’t buy all the textbooks on your reading list. Lecturers are always especially keen to promote textbooks that they’ve written themselves and these can cost up to £100! Buy your main textbook from Amazon, Ebay or Abebooks.  Check if they’re on Google Books, share with housemates or even find it in the library. It’s not a case of justifying minimal study, just be savvy when it comes to getting the right textbooks.

Alcohol, possibly the best use for your bookshelf

Discounts and Freebies

Many of us hit Freshers Fair with the intention of stuffing our bags with as many keyrings and pens as possible whilst unashamedly eating cold pizza from the Domino’s man. Keep that thrifty spirit alive by grabbing any freebies in site, from perfume samples in the shops to McDonald’s vouchers in the street. There’s no shame in being crazy for coupons. Take advantage of offers. Use your student card to get up to 20% off in most clothes stores. Finally invest in a railcard! If your friends and family live miles away, the third off travel will definitely pay off.

You can’t turn down a free beer

So there we go, you’re now free to be thrifty and frugal students! You’ll thank yourself when you’ve got extra dollar to spend during the festive season!