Is an Overdraft Free Money? A Guide to Saving Money at Uni

Though we love to joke about overdrafts being ‘free money’, they are short-term loans from the bank that sadly must be paid back eventually. Making our lives easier when running low on money when it comes to paying the rent, shopping and managing our social lives. We start dipping into it to keep us afloat from drowning financially as it is a lot of maintenance. Here are some tips on how to save money at university so you steer away from the risk of relying on it too heavily.

Establishing a budget while you’re at university is essential as it puts a limit on how much you can spend in a week. I, too, have fallen victim to being somewhat of a spendthrift while at university, especially when I was only going ‘window shopping’.

Take advantage of student discounts and ensure you have apps like UniDays or StudentBeans as they can save you a couple of pounds. We all enjoy eating out which is nice to do occasionally but try to opt in cooking at home as often as you can as it is cheaper.

"Getting a job at university is known to be difficult; for those particularly anxious about their finances, check out NUSU for any part-time job listings"

Books and other resources required for university can be expensive and there are limited copies in the library. Try having a look in charity shops or websites like eBay, Vinted or Depop, just to name a few examples.

Getting a job at university is known to be difficult; for those particularly anxious about their finances, check out NUSU for any part-time job listings. Having a job at university isn’t always ideal but it helps take the pressure of digging yourself into even greater debt.

Those are just a few tips that can alleviate stress regarding finances but most importantly, remember to prioritise what is best for you and spend responsibly!