Frugal Students: Saving Daily

If you like this article PLEASE follow / subscribe ---->

STUDENT:CRAFT - Frugal Students

Section 2 - Saving Daily

Okay, so all those articles that tell me to NOT buy the latest phone...or NOT to buy designer clothes...really annoy me. I don't think the people that write them understand the pressure on students to have that new BB or that new dress etc etc.

Now there's no doubt that NOT buying those items WILL save you money...but lets be sensible about the advice we choose to give out. - I believe you can treat yourself once in a while.

Saying that, I've tried to develop a list that you can reference which will help you save money IF you choose to buy items like that. Price Comparison sites, store discounts and coupons. Just remember to ask yourself the question "Do I REALLY need this?" when faced with a potential new purchase. Remember, you can always save for that expensive top shop jacket...you don't have to buy it RIGHT now!

So, these are some of the things I'm going to try this year / that I know work well from experience:

1)Change your Attitude to Money

Be positive about your money situation and try not to let it get you down. Act rich and you will become rich (If that's what you're after). At the same time, you need to be sensible with your purchases and keep to a realistic budget.

2)Discounts and Coupons

Where do i start! There are so many websites out there now with discount codes, vouchers and coupons you can use to save money. Some even have their own mobile app:

Groupon - http://www.groupon.co.uk/

Voucher Cloud - http://www.vouchercloud.com/

Discount Vouchers - http://www.discountvouchers.co.uk/

3)Own Brand Goods and Store Cards

Sainsbury Nectar Card / Tesco Clubcard

If you're shopping at any venue where you can get a reward / loyalty card, GET ONE! =)

4)Travel Cards and Booking Early

16-25 Railcard - http://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/

National Express - http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/offers/studentcoachdeals.cfm

You can often get additional discounts for booking train and coach journeys EARLY. Book a week, or even a MONTH before you wish to travel.

5)Delayed Gratification "Saying NO"

Woo, so I've written a whole article about this already; Student Rules - Delayed Gratification! If you want to save some money, then you need to learn to say no. - Checkout the article for more in depth information.

6)Frugal Living (Turning off the Lights)

This doesn't apply so much when staying in halls but after you've got your first student home / apartment, be a bit frugal about your living. Turn off the lights, don't unnecessarily leave taps running etc.

7)The Market

Discounts, discounts, discounts! Fruit and Veg at the market is so much cheaper than at the supermarket. I don't know about your area, but there is a thriving market in Nottingham multiple days a week. even if you're a little tentative, check it out and see what it's like. =)

8)Use Open Source Software

Now this won't always apply...but simple word processing / spreadsheet software can be obtained in an open source version (as opposed to the Microsoft version);

Open Office - http://www.openoffice.org/

Sourceforge - http://sourceforge.net/

9)Drink Water (Just get a water Filter)

Water is good for you. 8 Glasses a day please! =)

10)Make your own Lunch

Those day to day purchases, drinks and sandwiches, add up.

11)Use your student Card

NUS Extra - http://www.nus.org.uk/en/NUS-Extra/

"Do you do student discount?" - Your student card is your weapon of MASS destruction! Use it, and ask everywhere for additional discounts.

12)Gym Membership (If you don't use it, Dont pay for it)

Now personally, I use my membership all the time, but for those of you who 'pretend' to use the gym, or perhaps just use it for the treadmill...ask yourself is it really worth the £10-35 a month fee? 


Just remember, the gym can be considered a luxury...we can always workout from home with a few simple objects. In contrast, if you're a gym-a-holic and you have a TheGymGroup near you, check them out! The one I use in Nottingham is awesome =)

13)Cook from Fresh (no ready meals, its so much cheaper)
Often its a LOT cheaper to cook those ready meals from scratch. It might take a little longer, but you'll have a bigger portion and it will be a lot healthier. 

14)Price Comparison Websites


Kelkoo - http://www.kelkoo.co.uk/

Price Runner - http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/

My Supermarket - http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/

15)Sales (you don't need to browse JUST because there is a sale)

16)TV (freeview is enough or BBC iPlayer)
I made this mistake in my 2nd year...devoting my bank account to a £20 a month fee for SKY TV. I BARELY used it, and I'm still paying for it now. - (perhaps i should phone up a cancel?) On top of that, you legally need to purchase a TV License if you want to watch any form of live TV.

17)Easy on the Alcohol

So I don't drink a lot anyway...but for those of you that do, cutting down a bit will save you a lot of cash in the long run. Many of my female friends in particular get through a bottle of vodka a night even before they start buying student priced drinks in the club. I understand many of you need a lot of alcohol to have a good time...but THAT much? =)