First Year Student Living In Halls?
When going off to university money is going to be tight. You will not be eating steak every night that’s for sure.
Avoid Being Naive — It is easy to fall into the trap at university of rushing to sort things out, with this and that on your mind. and companies love that! if you are looking at prices for gym memberships, food, tv and gas bills, electricity, mobile phone insurance and possessions insurance, do not think the first quote is the cheapest. Shop Around.
Are you a student tenant? — Visit: Student Contents Insurance Page.
Are you tenant, and no longer a student? — Visit: Tenant's Contents Insurance Page.
University Social Life — University is a way to socialise and get to know people.
What better way than over a beer?
It is important to socialise, however, make sure you budget your money and have enough for other things like books, food and general living costs.
Also, drink responsibly and most importantly be safe.
Student Cards — You are given a student card for free at the start of term — make use of it.
You can get discounts on pub lunches, drinks and even equipment around some university campuses.
You could also purchase an NUS card for £12 for the year which enables over 200 UK student discounts.
Try Not To Blow It — When getting your student loan it is sometimes the first time you have had a large amount of money without your parent’s supervision.
Try not to blow it on clothes, drinking and other accessories try and save some of it for important things.
That way you will avoid sinking into money trouble.
Cut Costs — Try shopping at places like Iceland, ALDI & LIDL where you can stock your freezer and store cupboard for cheaper; look out for the reduced items as they can save you £££s on your groceries.
You will not be able to dine out every day and night as a student.
Plus cheaper meals means more money for your social life.
Employment — Round universities there are lots of bars, restaurants and shops which all tend to recruit at the start of term.
Also, the student union can also advertise jobs in the office, so keep checking there.
A part-time job could go a long way to helping you survive at university.
university Resources - Make use of university resources.
There is no point buying books or journals if the university library has it in stock, or the online journals are accessible to you.
Join Forces With Friends — In general, at university, you will be living with housemates or friends.
Therefore try and cook food in bulk instead of 5 separate meals, this can also save you money.
Banks — Banks offer students overdrafts and credit cards whilst at university, be careful and do not be tricked into taking all sorts of extra debts on.
If you forced to take an overdraft, be sure to check the interest rates on the account.
You Are A Target — As a student, you have lots of possessions and so do your flat/housemates.
If there are say for example 5 of you sharing accommodation, there is likely to be 5 individual laptops in the property.
An average burglary can cost upwards of £3,500 to replace all the items in the property.