Anyone
considering higher education now will have to be very careful about their
spending patterns to make sure they avoid falling into unnecessary debt. Now
that Fresher’s Week is out of the way, you might be looking at your bank
balance and wondering how you’ll make it through to January, and you’re not
alone!
But
don’t worry too much; Ashley Park Financial Solutions have put together some
money saving tips that should keep your bills in check.
Sample sales events
Most
students are keen to keep their wardrobes well-stocked with so many different
occasions to consider. With various clubs and societies, sports teams, nights
out and end of term balls, some people may find themselves struggling to pay
for it all. But! If you can bring yourself to get out of bed early and join the
queue, a sample sale could be perfect for you. You can find some amazing
bargains, often with up to 70% off.
Designer
brands like Reiss and Paul Smith often run events from their warehouses to sell
off-season clothing. Though most events happen in London, it’s a good idea to
check out what’s going on in your local area.
Keep up with your favourite
brands online
Following
your favourite retailers online can prove to be very fruitful. With everyone vying
for your attention, lots of companies are offering incentives to gain custom.
Sign up to newsletters and follow companies on Facebook or Twitter to stay
abreast of any on-the-day offers.
Shop in the sales
You’re
a student, which means you can get away with being off-season when it comes to
your wardrobe, and it’s okay to set up camp in the “whoopsie” aisle of the
supermarket. You’ll certainly appreciate a 10p bread roll if it means you can
buy an extra pint at the weekend. And remember where possible, buy unbranded
foods! For the most part they taste the same but come with a much lower price
tag.
Avoid big cash blowouts
Though
it might be tempting to splurge when your loan comes in, don’t do it! Save
towards the end of term and celebrate then instead.
Get the best deal on your
overdraft
If
you’re going to allow yourself an overdraft, make sure it’s at 0% interest. Try
not to go anywhere near the overdraft limit because if you do go over it the charges are huge and you’ll end up in a vicious
cycle as you try to pay them back. Also, don’t choose your bank based on who
offers the best free gift at sign up! These are just gimmicks. Look into who
has the best banking deals for you.
Invest in a Student
Discount Card
These
days you need an NUS Extra card to indulge in money-off at certain stores. It
costs £12 per year, but over 160 retailers offer discount with it, and these
savings can really add up. It also includes 10% off groceries at the Co-Op, so
if for example you spend at least £120 there in a year, you’ll more than make
your money back (and trust us, you’ll certainly spend on groceries!).
Look at free computer
software
Instead
of MS Office you can download LibreOffice, which you can use for documents,
presentations, spreadsheets and databases. And anyone in need of image editing
software that can’t afford Photoshop might like to try Gimp, another
free-to-download program that offers fairly advanced tools and great add-ons.
Get a 16-25 railcard
You’ll
get a third off rail travel, which can make going home for the weekend that bit
less painful. If you’re a mature student never fear! You can still get a
student railcard if you take along proof of your course. Railcards currently
cost £30 and can be purchased online or at your local train station.
Pre-Drinks
Not
that we’re going to encourage binge drinking in any way, but if you’re planning
a night out, enjoy a few drinks before you leave the house to save paying for
booze in the pub.
Check
out our previous blog for more general budgeting tips, or visit our website for
details of our services. Feel free to follow us on Twitter for regular updates!
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