Easy Student Money Saving Tips You Need to Know

University is undoubtably one of the most exciting chapters in your life, but it can be easy to lose track of your money while trying to enjoy life as a student. Costs can creep up fast if you aren’t smart with your loan, but fear not! We’re here with a helpful guide to some of the best student money saving tips out there.

Making sure you save a few pounds at university doesn’t mean making extreme sacrifices, but a few small changes can help you stay afloat while others scramble for help.

Some of the tips we’re about to go through can actually help you have more fun, not less.

Make the Most of Student Discounts

One of the easiest and most common ways to save money as a student is to simply know where to flash your student ID. If you’re not already signed up to platforms such as TOTUM, UNiDAYS, or Student Beans, now is the time to register. These apps give you exclusive access to discounts across hundreds of brands, both online and in store.

It also helps to think beyond just clothes and tech, as your student discount will likely include a whole raft of restaurants, cinemas, and subscription services that can all make your life a little more exciting. Some less obvious places to use your benefits include Microsoft Office, Amazon Prime Student, and Spotify Premium, all of which can be pretty helpful.

You should also make sure to keep an eye out for local discounts that are only available in your city. Independent businesses such as gyms, bars, and cafés all tend to get in on the action.

As a bonus tip, you can sometimes combine your discount codes with cashback sites such as TopCashback. You can sometimes score even more savings.

Make Budgeting A Routine Task

The mere notion of budgeting can often stir up feelings of dread among the student population, but it doesn’t need to. Budgeting smartly can help you plan for fun, avoid any nasty surprises, and feel more in control of your money.

Start by tracking your income and fixed costs such as your rent, bills, transport, and essential food. Then divide the rest into categories like socialising, clothes, or savings. Even just being aware of where your money goes can make a huge difference.

Free apps such as Monzo, Emma, and Revolut let you set financial limits, monitor spending habits, and create virtual pots for different goals. They also let you set up alerts for when you’re getting close to a limit, helping you avoid overspending without feeling policed.

Smarter Ways to Shop for Food

Whether it’s eating out, ordering in, or a last minute top up shop, food can be a huge aspect of student life that burns through your money before you know it. A few simple tweaks can slash your weekly food spend without sacrificing quality or taste.

Here’s how:

• Batch cook and freeze meals. Think chilli, curries, stir fries, or pasta bakes. You’ll always have something ready, so you’re less tempted by expensive takeaways.

• Shop in the evenings at supermarkets for yellow sticker discounts. You can freeze reduced meat, fish, bread, and ready meals for later.

• Use Too Good To Go to collect surprise bags of surplus food from cafés and restaurants, usually for less than £4.

• Try Olio, a food-sharing app where people give away items they won’t use.

• Buy own-brand products. Most are just as good (if not better) than big names, and they’re usually made by the same suppliers.

Also, consider splitting a supermarket shop with housemates for shared basics like rice, pasta, oil, and toilet roll. Buying in bulk saves cash and cupboard space.

Travel for Less

Transport is a sneaky expense that adds up fast, especially if you’re not living on campus. But wherever you’re based, there are ways to travel smarter.

• Get a 16–25 Railcard (or a Two Together one) for a third off most train journeys.

• Split your fares using apps like Split My Fare or TrainSplit.

• Cycle or walk when you can. It’s free, keeps you fit, and lets you discover more of your uni town.

• Check your uni for subsidised bus passes or shuttle services.

• Compare coach services like Megabus, FlixBus, and National Express for trips home or city breaks.

If you’re new to the area or coming from overseas, it’s worth learning how local travel cards work, especially for zones or off-peak fares.

Discover more of what to do in your own city by reading some of our handy city guides.

Entertainment Doesn’t Have to Cost a Penny

Being on a budget doesn’t mean staying home alone. In fact, uni life is packed with free and low cost events, you just need to know where to look.

Check your students’ union calendar for quiz nights, film screenings, society socials, and gigs. Most unis also run free fitness classes, art sessions, or language exchange meetups.

Into learning new skills? Websites like FutureLearn, OpenLearn, and Coursera offer free courses in everything from coding to personal finance.

Boredom is optional. Fun is affordable.

Go Second Hand and Save

Uni life isn’t all about new stuff. In fact, some of the best finds come pre-loved.

• Textbooks: Don’t pay full price. Check World of Books, or student forums.

• Clothes: Browse Depop, Vinted, or your local charity shops. You’ll often find better quality and more original styles.

• Furniture: Get second hand essentials like lamps, desks, or shelves from Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle.

• Tech: Refurbished laptops or phones are often sold at deep discounts and work just like new.

It’s not just about money. Shopping second hand reduces waste and helps the environment too.

Split Costs, Double the Benefits

Living in shared student accommodation? Great, because shared living is full of opportunities to cut costs.

Use apps like Splitwise or Settle Up to manage shared expenses easily, from energy bills to Netflix subscriptions. No one wants to argue over who paid for the toilet roll last time.

Agree early on about how to split essentials like washing up liquid or milk. Bulk buying shared items saves both money and awkwardness.

Cooking together not only saves time and reduces waste, but it’s also a chance to socialise and experiment with different cuisines. Host regular “family meals” with your housemates, it’s cheaper (and more fun) than eating out.

Build Good Habits Now (Your Future Self Will Thank You)

Learning to save during uni isn’t just about getting through the semester. It builds habits that will serve you for life, like budgeting, planning ahead, and making thoughtful decisions.

Even saving £5 or £10 a week adds up. Over a year, that could cover flights, a new laptop, or a rainy day fund. If you can, set up a small monthly direct debit into a savings account. Some banks even offer savings challenges or rewards for good habits.

These skills matter. Because when you know how to manage money, you have more freedom and more choice in how you spend your time, what you say yes to, and what goals you can realistically chase.

Take the First Step Toward Stress Free Spending

Managing your money doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. You don’t need to become an expert overnight. Just start with one small change like a new app, a better habit, or even just tracking your spending this week.

Want more ways to live smart at uni?

Explore more helpful tips for living well at university and explore our range of student lets available today. 

Keep saving, keep enjoying, and keep being proud of every pound you don’t waste.