Student money saving

Short on funds is the default student position these days, and has been for many years, just like

asking for a student discount and spending all those lecture times in the pub nursing a pint and

putting right the world’s wrongs.

In these days of rising fuel prices, high university fees and expensive beer, being able to save a few

quid has never been more important, so we at confused.com have compiled a list of some useful

money-saving tips to help make the small amount of cash in your pocket go further. Read on to find

out more.

Look around

OK, we’re a price comparison site so we would say this wouldn’t we! But it’s true: if you want the

best deal for energy tariffs, car or home insurance, or just about anything else, take a bit of time to

look around and see what different companies are offering. It could be time well spent and the

savings could be substantial.

I’m sure you don’t need to be told this but we will anyway: always check for a student discount. It

can make a difference.

Walk Talking of student car insurance, do you really need to have your car at university with you? It might

be convenient sometimes, a car often is, but it’s a rare university or college that has ample parking

for students so you’re probably better off walking to and from lectures if it’s not too far, and getting

public transport if it is.

Shopping

As you’re no doubt aware many items in a supermarket can be bought in different sizes. One brand

of beer, for example, can be bought in different sized bottles and cans, and in various multiples – 4-

pack, 10, box of 20 bottles, box of 20 cans, etc. In theory, buying the biggest pack provides best

value for money, because that’s what we’ve often been told.

But is it? When a product is available in multiple sizes, and therefore multiple prices, shops will also

display a price-per-100ml or price-per-kg, or some other price that shows how much something

costs in a standard way so you can compare the true price of an item. It’s usually written very small

under the main price. That’s how you find the best value for money, and you might be surprised at

which size pack it is.

And while you’re in the supermarket, forget brand loyalty and buy the offers. Your mum may have

always bought the stripy toothpaste because you liked it as a child but don’t bother, just buy the one

on offer. In fact, if its buy one get one free, get four or even six while you have the money to. It will

keep.

Learn to cook Ready meals and takeaways are fine now and again but nothing beats a home-cooked meal. It’s also

more economical and healthier. Depending on what type of student accommodation you’re in and

the people you’re sharing with, you could cook meals for everyone in the flat/house/box. That could

save you even more money on shopping, and it could also save on gas or electricity as the cooker

will be used a lot less. Plus, it’s nice to sit around and eat meals together.

Even if that’s not possible it’s probably worth having a kitty for shared items such as bread, milk and

toilet roll.

Save water

If you’re place is on a water meter you might want to find ways of cutting down on water use as

well. One quick and simple way is fill a clean one litre milk carton with water and drop it in the toilet

cistern. You’ll go from five litres of flush (for example) to four litres, a 20% saving. Having a rota for

washing up will help as well.

Save energy

Turn down the thermostat on the hot water a by a few degrees. It’s unlikely you will notice the

temperature difference and you’ll save electricity or gas. You should also ensure you don’t have the

heating on constantly; just kicking in a few times a day is fine. Also turn off lights, TV’s, computers,

etc. when not in use to save more money on electricity.

Remember: Pennies saved are a pint earned.

This article was written by Rob Powell from confused.com, the price comparison website.