The Best Ways To Save Money: A Guide To Student Life

Living on a student budget can be challenging. There are so many expenses to consider: textbooks, rent, electricity, food, and transportation. But there are ways to save money without giving up the things you enjoy. Here are some simple tricks that will help you get through your student life without breaking the bank.

Create A Budget

Creating a budget is the first step to living on a student budget. By creating a budget and sticking to it, you will have more funds to spend as you please at the end of the month. You can use any type of app or program that works for you, but here are some helpful tips:

• Create a monthly budget that is based on your income.

• Consider expenses like rent, utilities, transportation, food, clothes, and other necessities.

• Assess your bank account’s average balance each month and set an appropriate amount for savings.

• Set up an automatic transfer for savings.

Find The Best Student Bank Account

If you’re going to be living on a tight budget, then you’ll have to make some sacrifices. But there are plenty of ways to save while still maintaining your lifestyle. One way is to find the best student bank account. Student bank accounts can offer you sign up deals like vouchers, while others offer cash back schemes on your purchases that can help you save money even when food shopping.

Leave Your Card At Home On Nights Out

One of the easiest ways to save money is by leaving your card at home. Don’t bring your credit or debit card if you go out for a night on the town. Not only will this save you from spending extra money on drinks and food, but it’ll also prevent that dreaded hangover that comes after a night of drinking, as you will have only spent the cash you took out at the beginning of the night.

Don’t Food Shop When You’re Hungry

One of the best ways to save money is to avoid food shopping when you’re hungry. When you’re hungry, it’s tempting to buy everything in sight for a quick fix. But this can lead to bad decisions, like buying more than you need or impulse purchases on unhealthy foods. Instead, wait until you’ve eaten before you go shopping. You’ll be less likely to throw money away on snacks and junk food.

Make The Time To Cook

One of the best ways to save money is to cook your own food. Cooking your own food can be time-consuming, but it might be your best option because it offers a cheaper alternative than eating out or ordering a takeaway.

If you’re new to cooking, there are many websites and apps that offer recipes for free that will help you cook from scratch. Most of them have step-by-step directions and helpful reviews from other users who have made the recipe before, which can make cooking much easier for beginners.

Consider Cheap SIM Only Deals

One of the best ways to save money is by choosing a SIM only deal. With a SIM only deal, you can get all the benefits of a phone plan without any of the drawbacks. You won’t be paying for any internet access or minutes that you don’t use, as you can change your plan each month.

Additionally, if you’re on a tight budget, this is a great way to make sure that you’re not spending more money than necessary as you won’t be paying for a handset, and you can change your plan to a cheaper one if money is tight. For help finding the perfect SIM only plan, head over to Lebara and check out their cheap SIM only deals. These deals will not only save you money but help streamline your phone‘s services so that you only use what you need.

Keep An Eye Out For Discounts

One of the best ways to save money is by taking advantage of discounts. Whether you have a student ID or are a member of a club, there are plenty of deals available to you. If you have a student ID, check out online student discount services, which have partnered with businesses all over the UK to provide students with fantastic discounts and deals to save them money.

Additionally, check out promotion codes online before you buy something new. Promotion code sites can often have exclusive discounts that are only valid for a limited time.

Buy Second-Hand Textbooks

Textbooks can be an expensive investment. They’re often required for classes, and they don’t come cheap. You could end up spending hundreds of pounds on books that you need for your coursework. However, you don’t need brand new books; buying second-hand textbooks can be a great way to save money. The best place to find second-hand textbooks is online, but if you’re not sure where to start your search, check out this handy guide to get you started.

Finally, if any of your friends or family have recently finished the same degree you are studying for, ask if they will sell you their old textbooks.

Earn Extra Income From Home

One of the easiest ways to save money is to get a part-time job or side hustle. This is a great way to earn extra income without having to give up too much of your day.

If you have a flexible schedule, plenty of jobs can be done from home. Many freelance jobs are available on sites, and you can typically find anything from data entry to virtual assistant work. These would allow you to work from home and only need to dedicate a few hours per week for the gig.

Conclusion

It’s essential to plan and ensure you’re not spending more than you need to. It’s also important to take care of your mental health and wellbeing, so make sure you’re eating well and look after your social life too.

There are lots of ways to save money, but the most important thing is just to be aware of what you’re spending your money on. So take a good hard look at your spending habits, set yourself up with a budget, and get savvy with your finances. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.