How to be a money-saving expert student!

One of the, if not the, most common student stereotypes is how we like to pinch our pennies (and rightly so!). With students’ budgets typically being limited, it is normal to want to save here and there as much as you can. Throughout my time as student so far, I have definitely gathered some money-saving hacks and tips that are worth sharing!

Food Shopping – Now, we are really fortunate to have a variety of places to get our food shopping from if you’re on campus. My number one supermarket to save money would be to take a trip to Aldi (which I’m sure does not come as a surprise). My number one enemy supermarket to save money is the on-campus shop, Rootes Grocery Store. While ideal for a quick grab-and-go and getting anything you might need urgently, it is not ideal for your wallet as many find the prices to be rather elevated. You will find that most people head to Tesco for their food shopping but I have found that it is not as cheap as we may think – before you know it, it really adds up! Though if you are going to be a Tesco-goer, it is essential that you register for a ‘Clubcard’ as some items are considerably cheaper with it. Inside Cannon Park shopping centre, there is also Iceland and Wilko which are also great for the bank. I would also recommend doing one big shop a week rather than little, frequent shops throughout. This way, you’re less likely to overbuy and can properly manage your spending. Also, consider shopping in the evening for the yellow sticker deals – one can find great bargains at those times!

Discount Apps/Websites – A massive perk of being a student? Being entitled to endless discounts in the hospitality industry, of course! When out and about, make sure to always check if there is a student discount available (good idea to always carry your student ID for this purpose, or a picture of it at the very least) – usually, shops will have advertise it on their shop windows or on the till. Though they tend to be quite hidden at times, so the best way to know if you can shed a few pennies on your purchase, is to ask!

There is an infinite number of student discount apps and websites but my personal favourites that I can’t get enough of are Unidays, Student Beans and Tastecard. Every week, Unidays and Student beans update their offers to give us even more and better discounts! From your high-street favourite to your regular chain restaurant, either of them probably have something to relieve our Natwest! On the other hand, Tastecard is solely for restaurants. However, the niche about Tastecard is that it gives you discounts for independent restaurants as well as your chains! Just when you thought your 2 for 1 deal was only accessible at the likes of Pizza Express, the local curry houses in Coventry can offer the same!

As you sail through student life, you will quickly learn the best ways to ensure your budget properly lasts you! Hopefully, these tips that I have learnt through my short time on-campus so far, can help you and your wallet be on good terms!