If you’re at university, chances are you are also pretty skint. No matter how many hours you’ve put in at Starbucks (or how many care packages received from the folks) the combination of food, fees, accommodation – not to mention living the student high life – is always going to result in a 
severe lack of funds.
As a result, it’s always advisable to try and save money wherever possible. So from utility bills to day-to-day living costs; although you might not come away from university with a first, you’ll certainly know how to make the most of those vital pennies…
Firstly, never be afraid to use your student status to its full advantage. NUS Cards and 16-25 Railcards are a given, but in addition, think about the less obvious student deals. Always try to find great student discounts on everything you buy, and we mean everything. From pizza to pants – you’ll be surprised at the range of retailers offering price reductions for students, and because these types of deals might not necessarily be promoted, it always pays to ask.
As one of the UK’s biggest discount websites, My Voucher Codes are forever on the look-out for the best student discounts. The top five this week include: 20% off this season’s must have trends at Motel Rocks; 20% off orders over £25 with NUS Extra at Dominos; 10% off everything with NUS Extra at Lipsy; 10% discount on all orders at New Look; and 10% off on print books when you spend £25 or more at Waterstones.
Next, think about investing in a few staples which – as well as making the experience of being a student a little easier – might also help you save money in the long run. For instance, a slow cooker can be a great addition to any student kitchen. Before you dismiss it as something you’re only likely to find at your mums, an appliance like this is incredibly convenient for everyone. By making even the cheapest cuts of meat soft and juicy, a slow cooker can allow you to make cheap and healthy meals at a snip; simply chuck in a few ingredients in the morning and by the time you arrive home after dark… ta da! A warm and comforting stew will be ready and waiting. Surely it beats beans on toast for the third day in a row?
Lastly, and although this might be more of a general tip, it is still well worth thinking about. Quite simply: take the little things into consideration – you might be surprised at how much they mount up. Do you always have spare change knocking about? Start collecting it in a jar, or if you live with housemates, buy a communal pot and split the savings. Do you always take the train or bus to lectures? Then perhaps try and get your hands on an old bike – whether it’s an old one from home or a second hand saviour – it’ll allow you to cut back on travel costs (as well as providing you with some much needed exercise). Finally, if you’re always noticing competitions for this or that, try actually entering! It goes without saying to always check for any lurking T&C’s, but if all seems legit, you never know what perks you might end up bagging.
Although you’ll never be rolling in it, by demonstrating some money saving savvy, you could at least manage to make your student loan go that little bit further. It really does pay to be smart.