An introduction to student finance and loans

A nutritious diet doesn’t have to blow the budget. Before you turn to instant noodles and bread you should use there tips to get plenty of healthy foods into your kitchen cupboards:

• Cook in bulk and freeze any leftovers, Cooking a big chilli, curry or pasta is a cheap way to eat well, and there's nothing better than having food on hand when you're busy studying.
• Try and do one weekly shop and always bring a shopping list. Shopping without a plan is the easiest way to blow your food budget.
• Set aside a communal box for coupons and make sure you take advantage of discounts wherever you can. You'll find plenty in newspapers, magazines, online and on the back of receipts.
• Tinned and frozen should be on your uni list. There as healthy as fresh options, and they’re an easy way to keep your pantry and freezer stocked.
• Start shopping for value brands at discount supermarkets
• If you're going to eat out, try and take advantage of offers and deals. Going for the local £5 curry night could even be cheaper than cooking at home.

Paying student utility bills can put pressure on your budget. From gas and electricity to your student TV Licence, you need to know how to pay student bills on time and on budget or you can get into trouble quickly. Use this advice to make settling your bills a little easier:

• Make sure you pay your bills on time. Late payments will just land you in debt and some providers will even offer a discount for paying early.
• Set up a direst debit. Lots of utility providers prefer this method of payments and will give you financial rewards for opting in.
• Don't wait until bills come in to collect money. Set a date each month for housemates to contribute their share so money is on hand when it's time to pay.
• Make sure you read every line of the contract to avoid nasty surprises like installation costs, cancellation fees and minimum contract terms.
• Consider your need for a TV Licence. The price has increased to £154.50 per year. This may not sound like much when it's split amongst the house, but every bit counts. You only need one if you watch live TV. So, if you all use streaming services and catch up (apart from BBC IPlayer, which requires a Licence) then you really don't need one at all.

A few more helpful tips on saving as a student:

• Take advantage of every discount you can and enquire about student offers when travelling, socialising and shopping.
• Avoid impulse purchases. Being a student doesn't mean you can't buy new clothes, you just need to make sure that every purchase fits within your overall budget.
• Make the most of free, campus-based activities. Social events in particular are great alternative to an expensive night on the town.
• Use loan programs for expensive coursework - related items and equipment. Borrowing books from the library or renting equipment for a semester could save you a lot of money.