Here's some ways you can make small savings this term

For most of us, living away at uni is the first time we'll independently manage our own money and budgets. It can take time to find out ways to save money and manage your finances but in the meantime, here's some tips to get you started.

• Pick the best student bank account for you - some student bank accounts offer BIG perks such as cash, vouchers or a free rail card if you choose to bank with them. See what freebies are out there!
• Set your budget and then set a spending goal for each week and try not to go over it. This sounds harder than it is, once you get in to the routine of tracking the results speak for themselves. Click here for some more guidance on creating a budget. 
• Follow accounts such as Money Saving Expert or Save the Student on social media as they will post student savvy tips and savings all-year around that you won't want to miss out on!
• Write a shopping list. One of the worst mistakes to make is to turn up at ASDA without a list...as you wander the aisles the basket gets heavier and often we can leave with a really random mix of stuff that we don't even need! Plan your weekly meals so that you only buy what you need. Perhaps plan to cook communally too to split the cost and no matter what, never do a food shop on an empty stomach! 
• Re-use and Recycle. A reusable water bottle and coffee cups are a MUST when it comes to packing your uni bag. Save £'s on buying water bottles and make a coffee at home to enjoy in your 9am! 
• Go second hand for clothes as you'll find good deals out there that not only save you a bit of money and save clothes from going to landfill. You could try apps such as Vinted or just popping to your local charity shop, you never know what bargain will be waiting for you!
• Check your statement once a week put aside 5 minutes and check your statement just so you don't have any surprises at the end of the month. With mobile banking, there's no excuse, and it's better to know sooner rather than later and get stuck with loads of charges.
• Flash your ID whenever (and wherever!). When you go shopping, always take your student card with you to get that all important student discount. Keep an eye on this handy list of where does Student Discount but always ask in store - some shops have it even if it's not advertised so it's worth asking about!
• Look out for offers and make the most of them - a lot of shops have loyalty cards where points can pay off and will do flash sales too. Sign up to sites like studentbeans and UniDays to get alerts. 
• Save money on travel make sure you make savings on your travel with a Young Person's railcard. You can save 1/3 off your rail fees which will really start to add up if you often travel home by train!
• Loyalty points schemes! Say you are a coffee lover, download your favourite cafés app to save points or pick up a loyalty card. For example, the uni has a Loyalty Plus scheme which means you can get 10% off all hot drinks and get your 10th drink for free on campus.
• Make sure your items are insured for FREE with Endsleigh. Living in Halls means your items are covered by Endsleigh's student insurance but you will need to register on the app to log your belongings first. Contents insurance is free and will save you a huge expense if something important goes missing. Find out more here.
• Don't waste money on delivery fees if you're ordering something online. Check if the store has a free collection point or locker instead! A quick trip to the shop to pick up your delivery could save you £4/£5 on delivery fees!

Struggling with Money?

Talk to someone. The university has a dedicated Money Advice and Guidance team who can offer a specialist debt advice service for students experiencing financial difficulties or if you just want to talk through how to best manage your money. They can offer:

• advice you on personal budgeting 
• financial support for international students
• peer to peer support with Money Coaches
• refer you to other services that can help you
• negotiate with creditors on your behalf

Find out their opening hours and how to contact them here.