When you think about being a student, you probably think about how much of a struggle it can be financially. However, there is no reason why you need to follow in the footsteps of many students that have gone before you and budget badly. In the following post, we are going to look at some quick and simple tips for spending less on the stuff you need on a tight student budget.
Avoid Food Shopping When You Are Hungry
When you first become a student and start living in student accommodation away from home, there is a temptation to go crazy and buy all the food you want. This is where a lot of overspending happens. Particularly if you always wait until you are starving hungry before going food shopping. Rather than waiting to the last moment or when you really need food and are more likely to spend more, it is best to plan out a set of meals for the week and create a shopping list.
By doing this you will only spend money on the ingredients and food that you really need.
Cook Together with Housemates
If you are living with other students, it can be difficult to eat together sometimes due to differing tastes and dietary considerations. However, if you really want to save a bit of money at mealtimes and make the ingredients you buy go further, you should seriously think about cooking and eating together. That way you will cultivate a more inclusive atmosphere in your accommodation, form stronger friendships while saving money in the process.
Make Good Use of Discounts
When you are a student, one of the biggest advantages you have over non-students is just how many incentives and discounts there are out there for students. Familiarise yourself with these and make the most of them where and when you can. You should also subscribe to and bookmark sites like Coupon Dad, where you will find all the latest promotions and vouchers you can use on just about anything from clothing, stationery, and other important items.
Look Out for the Sales
Rather than spending all your free time in the clothes and tech shops you love, try and be a bit smarter. Shops across the retail sector always have specific times that they run sales and promotions. Figure out when all your favourite stores run their autumn, summer, and other seasonal sales and capitalise on them. Try to avoid buying clothes and tech at other times in the year and then you will have a considerable amount of money to spend when the sales come along.
Don’t Dismiss Thrift and Second-Hand Stores
Thrift stores and second-hand outlets have a lot of stigmas attached to them. As nice as it is to buy from your favourite high street store, though, when you are on a tight budget, you must be open to making compromises.
If there are items of clothing that you really need, for instance, could you get similar elsewhere? If the prices online are not any better, you could take yourself down to the local thrift or second-hand store. You may be surprised at some of the high quality and very stylish items you can get in those establishments at a considerable reduction to their RRP.
Buy More, Save More
It may sound a little preposterous, but you should spend a little more at one time and buy a bulk load of items, especially those you know you will constantly need. When you buy multipack deals or special BOGOF and similar offers, you can usually save a little money on the price of individual items. Every little can help.
