Top 5 money-saving tips for new students
Chunye Chai
BA (Hons) TESOL
Hiya, I am Chunye, a final year BA (Hons) TESOL international student. The reasonable cost of living in Huddersfield was one of the reasons for my decision to study here. In this blog, I’m going to share some of my top tips and personal experiences in managing my budget during my studies.
Being a student can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle with the cost of living. But fear not! By making a budget and managing our finances we ensure we spend our money wisely. These skills will also benefit us in our future life and career and make us prepared for financial emergencies. Read more to find out what you can do to help you keep your finances on track.
1. Cook by yourself or eat at Eco Eats on campus
In most cases, cooking on your own could save you money compared to eating out. If you are lucky, you may still get fresh food at reduced price when you shop at mainstream supermarkets. You could bring a packed lunch to the campus, microwaves are available on Floor 5 in Student Central, the Scholars Rest on Floor 5 in the library, and in most common rooms in school buildings if you want to heat food up.
If you’re not great at cooking or short on time, Eco Eats is a great place to have affordable hot food at a low price on campus. The food available there is vegan or vegetarian, and there are often two kinds of dishes for selection during lunchtime.
Microwave in Scholar Rest and the Library2. Buy a rail card
Getting a rail card is a fabulous money-saving tip if you travel a lot. You can buy one by going to the National Railway website to check what kind of option is available for you. Although you spend some money on getting a rail card, it will help you save in a long run.
3. Find a part-time job
Make use of your spare time and earn money by doing part-time work! The JobShop on the university website is a good platform to look for jobs. You could also follow @hudunicareers on Instagram to get news on job vacancies, especially for jobs at the uni, for example, student ambassadors and student assistants at the library.
Huddersfield Train Station4. Buy second-hand
There are various charity chops in the town centre where you can get second-handed products at a cheap price. You could go to these shops regularly and get good quality garments, books, and other products. My favourite ones are the Barnardo’s for their reasonable priced clothes, and the British Heart Foundation for the special 10% off students’ discount.
5. Get a loyalty card for supermarkets
Most supermarkets offer a special discount on some products if you have a membership card there. Registering for a membership usually doesn’t cost you a penny. My personal favourites are Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
Mind Charity shop in HuddersfieldThese are my 5 best tips I would like to share with new students at Huddersfield. I encourage you to pick one and have a try, maybe you will find satisfaction in managing your own money during your study here. What other tips do you have for new students on money-saving at uni? Share your ideas with us!
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