As fresher’s week draws to a close, both new and existing students will be readying themselves for the first term of the academic year.
Going from meeting new peers, or reconnecting with your mates, to the reality of university living is always a shock, but navigating your finances does not have to be as difficult as it may seem.
Sam Whillance, a savings expert at online discounts platform Deal.Town, shares some handy money-saving hacks for uni students ahead of the academic year.
- Be savvy with your supermarket shopping
University is likely your first experience of solo living. It may come as a shock that the magically filled cupboards, and the consistently clean cutlery, are not actually done by the fairies, but rather it requires actual human action.
Food shopping does not have to be a chore – it can be pretty fun when you know what your body needs and how you can best utilise your student loan. But what else is there to know?
- Shop at bigger stores
It may seem like the easier option to pop down to your local convenience store, but taking those few extra steps to reach the supermarket will be incredibly financially valuable. Smaller stores are likely more expensive as they know people do not mind paying for items they desperately need, but it is always worth doing your full food shop at a larger supermarket.
- Opt for cheaper stores
If you have access to stores like Lidl or Aldi, you are in for a treat. Their competitive prices mean that you will often be spending almost half on your food shop than you would elsewhere! They are host to the cheapest fresh and cupboard items, so it is hard to go wrong.
- Time your shops
Most students will not fancy doing their full food shop first thing in the morning, which actually comes as a pleasant surprise. After your long day of lectures and seminars, you will often find that stores start reducing their items, meaning that you are more likely to get the chance at some bargains.
Before picking up every yellow sticker just because “it’s cheap”, ask yourself how you can use this effectively. Can you freeze it for a later date? Will it last till tomorrow? Some stores even have clearance sections wherein items will have a longer shelf-life. However, it is always worth checking that the item itself is not damaged and that you are just the lucky founder of some great deals.
- Sign up for loyalty schemes
When arriving at any till and being questioned about whether you are a member of their loyalty scheme can be rather annoying. However, the benefits that are available to supermarket loyals are pretty great. We have all seen the shocking Clubcard vs non-Clubcard prices, which should be reason enough to invest. You would be surprised at just how much you can save in sacrifice for a few newsletters here and there!
- Stock up on store cupboard and freezer foods
As previously mentioned, filling up the freezer is a shout. But let us not forget our friends in the trusty cupboard. Stocking up on cereals, pasta, rice, tinned vegetables, sauces etc., is super helpful for those nights that you cannot be bothered to chef up.
Likewise, any other items that are subject to bulk offers, such as loo roll, condiments, and shower necessities, are always worth grabbing.
- Take advantage of student discounts
The great thing about going on to higher education is that you are still the recipient of student discounts. All it requires is a quick change from your sixth-form email to your university email, and you are ready to go. Alternatively, you can apply for a TOTUM card which offers additional discounts too!
Throughout fresher’s week, you will find many salespeople offering their student deals and have many leaflets make their way into your halls, and it is genuinely worth hanging on to these. You may also be aware that Amazon Prime Student provides us lucky bunch with a six-month free trial period for their next-day delivery and Prime Video services.
- 16-25 Railcard
If you are a student who lives far away from your home, and you know that using the rail services will be almost second nature for you, it may be worth investing in a 16-25 railcard. The railcard provides students a third off their rail travel for a whole year. Alternatively, you can invest in a three-year railcard that will have you sorted for your entire time at university!
- Get a bus pass
At NTU, we have multiple campuses. Depending on where you live and where you study, this suggestion may not apply. For those who study on Clifton Campus but live in City, the cheapest way for you to get around is by applying for an NCTX bus pass. They have an annual student offer that allows you to not only transfer between campuses but allows access to alternate routes as well.
- Uber
Without stating the obvious, routinely splashing your student loan on Ubers is not the best idea. But it is always worth planning ahead for those who need to use the service. Depending on where you are travelling to and from, you may be able to get a cheap journey. If you know an event is running in the city, it is probably best to avoid the service. Likewise, if the prices are surging due to the weather changing, it may be best to opt for a local service with a fixed rate.
Lead Image: Photo by Stephen Phillips – Hostreviews.co.uk on Unsplash