There’s no doubt about it that saving money as a student is hard, with newfound freedom coming at a cost, with rent to pay, having to do your own food shops and new friends to party with, it is not surprising if you find yourself too scared to check your bank balance.
Financial difficulties can cause anxiety and worry and affect your ability to focus on your studies. So, to help out any students looking to save a few extra pounds and cut costs of their weekly and monthly expenditures, I have put together five of my top money-saving tips!

Be savvy at the supermarket

After about 6pm, most supermarkets start heavily reducing prices on items they need to shift by the end of the day. Look out for these discounted items, as well as food nearing its sell-by date. You can always put it in the freezer!

Don’t shop when you are hungry 

It might make sense to shop before dinner but if you shop on an empty stomach, you’re likely to buy far more than you need. 

Don’t go into your overdraft 

An overdraft is a good safety net to have if you find yourself short on cash. However, it is not free money. If you get an overdraft, try to save it for emergencies, as it can leave you in extra debt when you finish university.

Take cash on nights out

When on a night out, whether that’s in a bar or a club or even the cinema, leave your bank card at home and disable Apple Pay as it will stop you from overspending. Budget in advance for how much you want to spend and just take cash out, then when it’s gone, it’s gone!

Student discounts 

Many shops and restaurants offer discounts with your student ID. Sometimes it will not be advertised, but there is no harm in asking if they offer a student discount. Who knows? You might just get lucky! You can also download free student discounts apps like Unidays and Student Beans which give discounts at many high street stores and restaurants. 

By Shola Jones