Knowledge is power as a great person once said. Though once you become a student, it’s also rather expensive! Here are some handy resources to help you stretch your budget even further…
Updated: 01 Jun 2026
Tuition fee costs may be grabbing all the headlines, but for students – who may not start paying off their student loans for a number of years yet – they aren’t the immediate concern. Maintenance loans stretch to cover anything and everything you might need while you are studying at university: from accommodation to books to fees for joining sports clubs. And of course, you need to eat and have a social life while you’re at it!
All those expenses can really pile up. Thankfully there are plenty of resources out there to help take the edge off those mounting costs. From food to travel, they come in seriously handy.
Even better news is that we’ve compiled a brief overview of your best options. All you have to do is check out the next five tips and you’re ready to start saving money…
Sometimes you wish there was a little man in your wallet who puts their hand up and shouts ‘Stop!’ when you’re about to overspend on your budget.
Here’s the next best thing. If you struggle to budget, then a set amount could be the right move for you. Prepaid cards can be primed with a certain amount of cash.
Once you reach the bottom you can’t spend any more. It makes things nice and straightforward, should number-juggling not be your thing.
There’s no interest or overdraft to worry about, but on the negative side it can be very restricting. However, if you feel you need restricting that’s not a bad thing!
If you’re paying bills in a student house, energy-saving resources can help you keep track of usage and avoid paying more than you need to. Your supplier’s app, a smart meter or regular meter readings can all help you check whether your bills are based on actual usage rather than estimates. Citizens Advice has a useful guide on reading gas and electricity meters, so it’s a good place to start if you’re not sure how to take a reading.
A brilliant catch all for all the best student discounts and deals out there is an NUS (National Union of Students) TOTUM card.
It’s so simple. Sign up for the card to get money off on everything, from a night out to a new wardrobe. It also gets you money off on more practical stuff too.
As a student, businesses and companies understand that you don’t have a lot of money. So they’re only too eager to attract your custom with some juicy offers.
A big part of your finances is taken up with travel, either between home and campus or simply getting from A to B. Some of the prices are truly eye-watering.
Here’s the good news. A 16-25 railcard can bag you a third off those fares. Absolutely essential if you rely on costly train services.
If you don’t mind spending hours on a bus, then coach companies such as Megabus or National Express are often a cheaper option. It’s a lifesaver if you live in a different part of the country to your place of study.
Alternatively, if your destination is within walking distance, you might want to consider getting your hiking boots on! It saves precious pounds and keeps you fit into the bargain.
Even in this cyber age, good old-fashioned paper books are still relied upon for studying. And while eBooks are available, they can be fairly pricey too!
Don’t panic. You could save a small fortune by purchasing the books second hand. Yet there’s another and even better choice: libraries.
You can get loads of books from your local library or your uni library – though you do have to be quick if a book you want is in demand. Having said that, the library is a huge resource, and most importantly costs you zero!
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