This might be your first experience of managing a budget, or you may be trying to save for a trip you have coming up, such as Sports Tour or a Semester abroad. Below we’ve outlined some helpful tips on small changes you can make to help your money go that little bit further:

 

Banking

Once you have accepted a place at Winchester we recommend opening a student bank account; it’s worth doing your research to find the best 0% overdraft. Some banks also offer additional incentives such as a free Railcard or Tastecard, so do shop around. When it comes to overdrafts it can be easy to forget this money is borrowed and eventually must be paid back. We advise saving your overdraft for if you are faced with an unexpected cost such as a house deposit, which can equate to 5 weeks rent. 

 

Food

There is no harm in ordering the occasional takeaway or buying a ready meal for a quick and easy dinner but doing this regularly can add up. We recommend buying food in bulk and then batch cooking meals for freezing to help keep costs down. Suggest cooking dinner with your housemates, once a week or once a month, as this will help to avoid wasting food that is passed its best. If you prefer to prepare your own meals, cook multiple meals in the oven at once to save energy. Think about how you can be a ‘savvy shopper’, for example buying a bag of uncooked rice is much better value than buying a microwave pack of rice. Instead of choosing expensive brands, try supermarket own brands as these are often just as good!

 

Travel

It is also worth exploring cheaper or alternative ways to travel. If you frequently travel by train, we recommend purchasing an annual Railcard for £30. With a 16-25 Railcard and a 26-30 Railcard you can get 1/3 off rail fares when traveling off peak. If you are prepared to take on the many hills in Winchester why not consider getting around by bike? Look out for the Bike Doctor on campus where you can bring your bike along for service and repairs. They visit on the first Thursday of every month during term time, 9am-3pm. You can also visit the University’s Travel and Transport pages for more information on their car share scheme and discounts for public transport.

 

Part-time work

While studying at Winchester you may choose or need to work part-time. The Student Union is the largest employer of students on campus, from bar staff to retail staff. You can check on our website to see whether we have any current vacancies. Careers in Winton Building can help you to find out what jobs and opportunities are available in the City.  The University's Career Connect website is another place to start your search for part-time work, sign up to get notifications of when jobs are available.

 

Course supplies

At the start of university it can be easy to spend money on new course supplies and textbooks which can work out very expensive. See if you can borrow or buy second hand books rather than buy them new.

 

NUS TOTUM card

And finally… Make the most of student discounts! An NUS TOTUM card, previously known as an NUS extra card, offers you savings on eating out, beauty, fashion, entertainment and more. 

What are your favourite money-saving hacks you could share with Winchester students?