So, you've probably heard the stories of students eating cold beans out of a can because they can't afford anything else, but rest assured, it doesn't have to be that way!
First up, look at your spending habits. If you're spending levels are pretty high, you need to accept that you're habits are going to need to change. If you're sensible with your money before uni, chances are you're going to stay that way when you get there,
Second, make sure you fill out your student finance forms in plenty of time. That way, you'll know what you're going to get and when so you can start working out how much money you're going to have.
Third, get yourself a good student bank account. There are loads of deals around, so have a look at what different banks offer. Consider if you are going to need an overdraft. Some people do, some people manage just fine without them. You're going to need at least an hour to set everything up, so put aside some time to go and sort it out with a parent. You might want to check what you need before you go such as identification, confirmation of your place and so on.
It's a good idea to have some money put aside in a separate account for your first week of term, just in case your loan isn't paid on time. The student loans company are notoriously unreliable and your first week of term can be pretty costly what with fees for joining clubs and societies, tickets to fresher events and your first "big supermarket shop".
When you get to university, just be sensible. There's no excuse for spending your whole loan in the first couple of weeks. Your bank won't have any sympathy and neither will your parents!
When it comes to your necessary purchases, such as food, there are a few ways to cut corners that you might want to consider. Value baked beans taste just as good as the top quality ones. You can freeze bread!!! If there's 2 for £2, you can actually freeze a loaf! I was amazed by this fact as a fresher and it turns out you can freeze other stuff too, even meat!!! Meat can be quite pricey though, but bananas = pretty cheap!
As a student, you'll find a world of discounts and deals on your doorstep. Take advantage of them while you're still a student, you'll miss them when you're not! There's no shame in asking anyone and everyone if they do student discount, you might be surprised just how much you can get for your pennies.
Questions about finance? Don't be afraid to post a comment!
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