Student Money Takeaway

student money takeaway

Since 2007, Save the Student has been the resource students trust to improve their finances.

We now have over 1,000 guides, all updated regularly to keep things fresh.

But so much content is impossible to digest in one sitting.

Introducing our Student Money Takeaway: some of the finest hacks and tips from across the site, served up on one simple page. Bon appétit! 😋

Download the Student Money Takeaway (free PDF)

Student money cheat sheet 🔥

For each tip in the cheat sheet, we've linked up keywords to relevant guides or resources with more info.

Managing money 💪

  1. Budget your Student Loan until the next payment
  2. Keep your loan in an easy-access savings account
  3. Choose a student bank account by the best 0% overdraft
  4. Take cash out for the coming week's budget
  5. Struggling? Speak to uni about hardship funding

Find out how other students manage their money!

Saving money 😇

  1. Always ask for student discount (see brand directory)
  2. Use cashback sites & apps when shopping
  3. Share textbooks & subscriptions with mates
  4. Food shop at night (but not when hungry!)
  5. Buy train tickets 12 weeks ahead & use 16–25 railcard

Also see 83 practical ways to save money!

Eco saving 🌎

  1. Shop local & in season
  2. Buy soap refills, not new bottles
  3. Buy second-hand goods
  4. Replace old bulbs with LED (90% less electricity)
  5. Chew less gum (contains plastic)

See ways to reduce your carbon footprint!

Making money 🤑

  1. Get paid to Google
  2. Join online survey panels
  3. Mystery shopping
  4. Walking (yes really)
  5. Rent out your parking space

Browse all of our make money guides!

Side-hustle ideas 🚀

  1. Start a blog
  2. Freelance on Upwork.com or Fiverr.com
  3. Buy used textbooks end of term & resell start of term
  4. Dog walking & pet sitting
  5. Resell charity shop buys on eBay, Vinted or Depop

Also see 53 business ideas to start at university!

Jobs 🤝

  1. Set social media profiles to private
  2. Include ideas to improve the company in applications
  3. Never work unpaid (unless volunteering)
  4. Check if you're due a tax refund
  5. Use our part-time job search or graduate jobs search

Also see how to write a great CV!

Housing & bills 🏡

  1. Be sure you can afford the rent (see calculator)
  2. Take meter readings & photos when you move in
  3. Read contract & ensure deposit is protected
  4. Use Splitwise to split bills between housemates
  5. Compare and switch your energy/internet/phone

Find out which bills you can slash!

Cheap dates 😍

  1. Go on a bike ride
  2. Play crazy golf
  3. Eat at a BYOB restaurant
  4. Visit a museum or gallery
  5. Find a pub with free/cheap activities

See all 15 cheap date ideas!

Freebies 🤩

  1. Haircuts at salon training schools
  2. Cinema previews
  3. Groceries (via cashback apps)
  4. Condoms (GPs & clinics)
  5. Browse freecycle.org

Also see the ultimate list of free stuff!

Gifts under £5 🎁

  1. Framed photo
  2. Home-baked treats
  3. Box of collected free samples
  4. Playlist of meaningful songs for both of you
  5. Unwanted gifts you've received

See all cheap gift ideas!

Best apps 🤖

  1. OLIO (free food)
  2. Idealo (price comparison on everything)
  3. Starling Bank (budgeting)
  4. CheckoutSmart (cashback)
  5. Shopmium (cashback)

See the 16 best money saving apps!

Follow @savethestudent on Instagram for even more tips!

How's your budget looking? 🎯

Use our printable one-minute budget sheet to work out how much you spend each month against your income.

By working out the difference, you can get a clear idea of your financial position.

I'm left short 😢

Don't worry! There are plenty of options and ways to get yourself into the black.

Here are some resources to get you started:

I have money left over! 🤗

Congrats! You may want to try doing an annual budget too, taking account of big spends like holidays. Some months will be more expensive than others!

Here are some ideas to make your money work harder:

The average student spends £1,104 a month. See how your money situation compares.

Student money quiz 🤔

The answers are below in bold! How did you do out of 10?

  1. You must apply for Student Finance before each year of study. True.
  2. Most parents (unless you have Welsh Student Finance) are 'expected' to contribute towards your living costs.
  3. Student Loan repayments are 9% of anything you earn over:
  4. Any remaining balance is written off after:
    • 30 years if you're from Scotland or Wales, or from England and started uni before August 2023
    • 40 years if you're from England and started studying in August 2023 or later
    • 25 years if you're from Northern Ireland.
  5. You don't have to repay your loan if you move abroad. False.
  6. Student Finance affects your credit score. False.
  7. You have to start repaying the overdraft of your student bank account after uni. True.
  8. 58% of students have a part-time job.
  9. The average expected graduate starting salary is £25,058.
  10. 94% of students use a budget.
Well done! Enter our competition for a chance to win £250 of vouchers!

This page is just a snippet of what we have across Save the Student! Use the top navigation to browse through the categories. And get in touch if you have any questions 🙂

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Next up: Calculators, tools, checklists and resources for students!