Student Profit Staff – Student Profit

7 Ways To Make Money Easy, Doing Basically Nothing

Student Profit Staff — Wed, 04 May 2016 14:12:35 +0000

Here’s how to rack up some easy spare cash by making money doing really very little.

Swagbucks

Swagbucks allows you to earn points (aka Swag Bucks) by searching via their website (which is powdered by Google and Bing). The Swag Bucks points can be exchanged for all sorts of rewards such as gift cards or just straight cash into your Paypal account. You can also earn points by completing surveys and polls, shopping and watching videos.

Get Cashback

Use cashback websites such as QuidCo to get money back when you buy goods online, from insurance to food. Rather than buying direct from a website, buy through QuidCo and you’ll get paid for every purchase!

Surveys

The classic way to make money online: Sign up to websites like MySurvey to make cash in your spare time by completing quick and simple questionnaires. No hard work or long shifts here.

Free Tesco Vouchers

Get a Tesco Bank Credit Card and use it for all your regular purchases. So long as you pay it off each month, you won’t have to worry about interest or fees. As well as improving your credit score, you’ll earn club card points on all your purchases which will turn into vouchers with Tesco, or money off at selected other retailers or organisations under the Clubcard Boost scheme.

Sign up for a FREE lottery

The Free Postcode lottery is just that. A free lottery! The prize is ‘only’ £100, although that can roll over each day if no one claims it. Enter your postcode now at FreePostcodeLottery.com.

Sell your HAIR

Let your hair grow and then you can make cash by selling it for use in wigs and other products. Bloomsbury Wigs’ guide prices range from £15-£60 for 10-12 inches up to £200 for more than 19 inches. > How to make money by selling your HAIR

Qmee

Qmee will pay you just to search the web, simple as that! Sponsored ads accompany the search results and you can build up cash rewards which can either be paid out to a Paypal account or donated to a charity of your choice.

Sell copies of your old revision notes

Note Sale allows you to make cash from your old lecture and revision notes. You can upload your own notes and set a price, ranging from pence to pounds, and will keep 75% of all cash made. The site covers everything from GCSE to degree level, so you may want to dig up your old school work to turn into money!

English Students Have The Most Debt In The WORLD

Student Profit Staff — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 13:05:03 +0000

Students in English universities leave with the most debt in the world, new research has found.

And this is before the axing of Student Grants which will impact those starting courses in September of this year (2016).

Those who graduated from English universities last year, the first to do so having paid £9,000 a year in tuition, left with an average of £44,000 of debt.

That compares to an average of between£20,500 and £29,000 for those in American university (depending on public or private institutions) and £15,000 in Canada.

Average Student Debt

UK – £44,000
US £20,500-£29,000
New Zealand – £23,000
Australia – £20,900
Canada – £15,000

The numbers will only get worse in future with students beginning study in 2016 having no access to student grants, which have been replaced with bigger loans.

It means those graduating from 2019 will leave owing more than £50,000.

Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust and Education Endowment Foundation who carried out the research, said the figures could effect students for the rest of their lives.

“They impact on the ability of graduates to go to graduate schools, to afford a mortgage, the timing of having children and other major life decisions,” he explained.

And sir Peter suggested: “The cost of going to university has become so expensive that more young people should seriously consider higher level apprenticeships, preferably to degree level.

“By choosing this route they will earn while they learn, incur less debt, and develop skills which are greatly valued in the workplace.”

Photo by REX Features.

Here’s how to avoid Netflix UK’s new price rise

Student Profit Staff — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 10:48:03 +0000

Netflix is about to rise its prices but here’s how you can avoid the increase.

Netflix UK’s price increase in 2016 could see you paying as much as £1.50 extra each month.

While we think it’s still definitely worth it – it’s HUGELY cheaper than any TV subscription – you can avoid the rise.

Right now if you’re on one of the old plans you’ll be paying £5.99 a month for a package which, signing up today, costs £7.49.

Later this year the price freeze on the old packages will come to an end and everyone will be paying the new, higher prices.

“Later this month, members in the UK will begin to be ungrandfathered,” said Netflix in a statement. “Beginning May, the price update is rolling out elsewhere based on member billing periods.

“Impacted members will be clearly notified by email and within the service, so that they have time to decide which plan/price point works best for them.”

They added: “The prices taking effect were previously announced in May 2014 and follow a two-year period of holding prices to the previous level as a thank you to members.”

However there is still a £5.99 package available, although it limits you to streaming on only one device at a time and to SD quality only.

If you ‘Downgrade’ you’ll continue to be able to watch all the Netflix shows but won’t have to pay any more.

It’s just a question of whether or not the HD quality is worth the £1.50 extra each month to you…

11 Student Housing Mistakes You Must Avoid

Student Profit Staff — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 10:23:10 +0000

From cutting bills to avoid being ripped off, these are the top student housing mistakes you MUST avoid!

Being lazy

Don’t accept the first place your see and do your research when looking to let privately: Search for reviews of your potential landlord, consider how much bills for the property will be (see the EPC certificate) and check out other things that may be relevant to you in local area, such as parking.

Checking the condition of the property

When visiting a potential property be sure to have a GOOD look around and NEVER agree to live anywhere you haven’t seen. Make sure you check all the corners, cupboards and see everything such as lights and appliances are in working order.

Not taking photos

When you first move in be sure to photograph the condition of the property, especially any damage or issues already present, to make sure you don’t get the blame and lose your deposit. > 5 tips to keep your flat deposit safe

Bringing everything you own

Make sure you know what’s included (if furnished property) and don’t bring pointless things you don’t need.

Not budgeting

Sort out a budget when it comes to paying rent and bills as they’re the most important things. If you’re sharing a house, make sure you figure out a way to split bills and for everyone to pay for their share…

Sort out who pays what

On that topic, deciding who makes student bills can be a bit of a nightmare. Generally the best advice is to make sure everyone’s names are on any bills so that no one person will be held liable if another fails to pay up on time. An alternative option is to give each housemate a different bill to be responsible for.

Upsetting the neighbours

Making the neighbours angry is just not on so keep the noise down late at night else you could find yourself getting evicted and/or given a bad reference when you move on.

Not getting contents insurance

Make sure you to cover your personal property with contents insurance in case of fire, flood, theft and so on. You may be regret it if you don’t, and some tenancies may require it.

Maintaining the property

You could lose your deposit or be charged if you damage the property so look after it as if it were your own home. Report any problems to your landlord as soon as possible. Not only will damage hurt your wallet, it won’t make for a good landlord referral when you want to move on.

Paying council tax

If you’re a full time student, you don’t need to pay council tax but if you’re sharing with non students or part time students, they may have to pay.

Sorting out whether or not you need a TV license

A so-called TV licence loophole may allow you to ditch paying £145+ a year. Furthermore, you may be able to get a TV licence refund for what you’ve already paid.

The Cheapest and Most Reliable Cars for Students

Student Profit Staff — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 11:55:55 +0000

Here’s a countdown of the best cars for new and young drivers.

A study carried out by What Car? magazine in association with Warranty Direct has looked at pretty much every car available in the UK to decide which is the cheapest and most reliable to run.

And – for the ninth year running – Honda tops the list with its Jazz.

The so-called Reliability Index used to rank cars takes into account a vehicle’s typical failure rate, age, mileage and repair costs.

What Car? editor Jim Holder said: “Honda’s success in the Reliability Index is chiefly down to low failure rates.

“However, when things do go wrong, the cars are also relatively cheap to fix.”

Other good cars included the Toyota Yaris, Mitsubishi Lancer and Vauxhall Agila.

On the other hand the most expensive cars to maintain were topped by the Audi RS6, BMW M5 and Nissan GT-R.

Check out the full lists below…

Most reliable cars

1. Honda Jazz
2. Mitsubishi Lancer
3. Vauxhall Agila
4. Toyota Yaris
5. Suzuki Alto
6. Chevrolet KALOS
7. Suzuki Liana
8. Hyundai Getz
9. Mazda MX-5
10. Mercedes-Benz

And the least…

1. Audi RS6
2. BMW M5
3. Nissan GT-R
4. Porsche 911
5. Bentley Continental GT
6. Mercedes-Benz CL
7. Mercedes-Benz V-Class
8. Citroen C6 512.00
9. Mercedes-Benz SL
10. Mercedes-Benz GL

Main picture credit: M 93/Wikimedia

Student Finance Deadline 2016: This year’s all important Student Finance deadlines for 2016/2017

Student Profit Staff — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 06:23:37 +0000

It’s time to fill in those Student Finance 2016 and here’s those all important deadlines and dates you need to know about.

The applications for Student Finance for 2016 opened in February with deadlines in May and June. Do it early and save the stress! You don’t need to know which University you’re going to go but you’ll probably need some weeks to dig out all the documents needed to apply anyway.

What is the Student Finance deadline for 2016?

The 2016 Student Finance deadline will depend on whether you’re beginning a new course or continuing a course.

For new students in 2016…

New students must get their applications completed by the deadline which for 2016 is 27 May. Note that this is the deadline for you to file your application online, not for you to have your application assessed.

For returning students in 2016…

Returning students tend to have just under a month longer with the deadline for 2016 on 24 June.

Student Finance 2016 changes

Remember it’s all change this year. If you’re starting a course (i.e. A new student going to University from September 2016) you’ll be caught up in it all: Grants are no more and have instead been merged into the maintenance loan.

If you’re a continuing student however you don’t need to worry, you’ll still be able to apply for a grant as in previous years.

Do it all online

New or continuing student, you can apply and re-apply for Student Finance 2016 via the Student Finance England website available from gov.uk.

Missed the deadline?

If you’ve missed either the above deadlines don’t worry just yet. Those deadlines are only the dates for guaranteeing that you’ll get your application sorted in time for the start of your studies.

The ultimate deadline for applying is 9 months AFTER the start of the academic year, although of course you’ll have to pay your own way until you application is assessed and sorted.

Is your laziness in the kitchen seeing you get ripped off?

Student Profit Staff — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 14:03:27 +0000

Buying fruit and veg can end up costing you FOUR TIMES more if you can’t be bothered to put a little effort in.

Whether it’s ready sliced mushrooms, peeled carrots or even halved avocados – which, yes, do actually exist now – your laziness could be seeing you ripped off.

Of course one would expect that prepared veg would cost more but the mark up on some products is often extortionate, a study by Which? magazine has revealed.

The convenience sees some goods costing more than 400% over their unprepared alternatives.

Carrots can cost more than twice as much (60p/kg v £1.50/kg) while broccoli and mushrooms also see big price rises for just having been cut up.

The same goes for spiralised vegetables, including carrots and courgettes, which you make yourself using just a regular old peeler or cheese grater.

Which? said: “Most of us like to think we’re savvy shoppers. But it’s not always easy to compare costs when complex mental arithmetic is required just to weigh up the same product presented in various packet sizes and styles.”

They added: “It’s not only carrots that are more expensive when they are ready-prepared, shaped or sliced – broccoli florets are more than three times the cost of a whole head of broccoli. Even when you discount the weight of the stalk, it’s still a hefty mark-up for a ‘ready-to-cook’ label.

“And you could be paying up to an extra £1 per kg just for the convenience of having pre-sliced mushrooms.”

How To Buy Food As An Almost Broke Student

Student Profit Staff — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 17:35:05 +0000

Food shopping on a student budget can prove tricky especially when there isn’t much of a budget to spend.

What not to buy

Don’t bother with expensive ready meals which almost always cost far more than the raw ingredients you can purchase to make yourself. It’ll also be a lot healthier made at home rather than in a factory being pumped with chemicals to keep it preserved.

Get budget busting recipes

You can make huge savings with these budget busting recipes and don’t underestimate the student classic super noodles – here are 8 ways to improve instant noodles.

Plan

Plan your meals ahead and you’ll save loads: Select cheap dishes that share common ingredients to minimise your spend. For instance, you can turn one packet of mince into meatballs burgers, lasagne, Shepard’s pie and much more. When you head to the shops, make yourself a shopping list and stick to it strictly to avoid impulse buys.

Don’t waste

Never waste food. In shops, search for items with a long a shelf date as possible, keep an eye on foods that are nearing their expiration and use them up! Even if food does go ‘off’ you may be able to eat it – brown bananas can become banana loaf cake while you can turn stale bread into a delicious pudding.

Win at supermarket reductions

You can’t guarantee it but supermarket reductions can mean HUGE bargains. Check out the reduced isles or sections when you’re shopping to see if there is a good offer to be had.

Love your freezer

You can freeze pretty much anything (including milk and bread!) so love your freezer to avoid waste and get more for your money (see below). Consider buying prepared frozen fruit, veg, fish and meat ahead of fresh alternatives as they’ll last a lot longer and you don’t have to worry about preparing it for freezing yourself.

Buy in bulk if you can

It costs more upfront but you’ll make long-term savings buying in bulk so if you have the money to hand it makes sense. We’re not talking crates of stuff here, but simply buying bigger packets of foods you often eat (rice, pasta, etc.) works out cheaper gram for gram. Same goes for meat, buying a pack of eight chicken breasts for a month will be cheaper than buying packs of two each week. As above, use your freezer to store what you don’t plan to immediately use.

Avoid The Top 10 Student Budgeting Mistakes

Student Profit Staff — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 12:00:16 +0000

Make your student life so much easier and manage your money better with no work: Simply avoid doing these Basic student budgeting mistakes.

via LendingMemo.com

Not making a budget in the first place

Do it. Do it now. Even if you’re halfway through a year, make a budget. It’s boring but it’s key to making sure you get the most out of your money and don’t get into problems down the line.

Ignoring debts

Make sure that you include any debt repayments, such as credit card charges, in any budget you make. Also, if you’ve any spare cash, use it to pay off any debts first and foremost before enjoying it or putting into savings.

Impulse buys

We’ve all done it. You go into town at the weekend with the aim of picking up a few things and come back having maxed our your credit card with allsorts. Training yourself to avoid impulse buying is hard but the easiest way is to make a strict list of what you need, stick to it and not to even look or go anywhere else.

Buying new

You can buy almost everything second hand – or even get it for free. Books at the obvious place to save money, but you can use websites like Freecycle or Gumtree‘s free section to get all sorts of stuff – from furniture to TVs – for NOTHING.

Not comparing

Always compare before committing. Don’t say yes to the first house you visit or sign up to the first broadband company you find on Google. See who can offer the best deals and don’t be afraid to haggle with rival companies.

Being enticed by freebies you wont use

Many companies offer freebies for signing up, whether it’s opening a bank account or buying a newspaper, or extra services included for nothing. If you’re not going to use what they’re offering, IGNORE IT when it comes to your decision making process. Don’t be enticed by extras that you won’t benefit from.

Refusing help

It can sometimes be a bit hard to admit you’re in need of a helping hand, especially when it comes to money, but it’s often the easiest way forward. If you find yourself getting into signifcant finanical trouble (that’s not just not being able to afford a night out), talk to family, friends or your University at the first opportunity. They may be able to lend support, advice or even cash itself.

via Flickr/Barn Images

Forgetting those small, every day costs

You know, the morning coffee or the monthly gym membership. These are the expenses where cuts can easily be made. While it may only be a few pounds a week or month, it all adds up over a year and can save you hundreds of pounds.

Keeping up with that ridiculously rich friend

It can seem that some students at University have an endless pot of cash and that can seriously harm you’re own wallet if they’re twisting your arm to join their expensive tastes or social life. While it can be tough to say no if you can’t afford it, learn to do so.

Not keeping up to date

Budgets are fluid things and you should always take the opportunity to review and update them now and then to see how you’re getting on and to change any figures that may have fluctuated.

16 money saving secrets all University students need to know

Student Profit Staff — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 16:50:49 +0000

Keep more cash in your pocket with these top 16 money saving hacks and tips.

Get a TV license refund

A so-called TV licence loophole may allow you to ditch paying £145+ a year. Furthermore, you may be able to get a TV licence refund for what you’ve already paid.

Look out for 9 month contracts

9 month contracts are a blessing for students as it means you don’t need to pay out over the summer when you’re back home or away. Even if they’re more expensive per month, they may work out cheaper than paying yearly. Virgin Media in particular offer such ideal student contracts on their services.

Forget being loyal

It doesn’t pay to be loyal with new customers often getting the best deals. Whether it’s your bank account, gas bill, car insurance or even just the weekly shop, ALWAYS be on the look out for a better offer. Compare competing companies and don’t be afraid to haggle to get your costs down even further.

Win at supermarket reductions

Read our guide to supermarket reductions to grab a bargain next time you go shopping.

Plus, learn about the sorts of dirty tactics supermarkets use to get us to spend more. Read up on their tricks and avoid parting with your cash.

Cook on the cheap by going Veggie

Ditching meat, even if for a day or so a week, can save a load of cash and needn’t mean boring or bland meals. For some cheap, quick and easy veggie recipes check these out.

Get train tickets for less than £1

You can get your way across the country with train tickets for less than £1 if you put some effort in – and make use of student discounts.

Organise a free night out

You don’t need to spend loads to enjoy an evening. You can get free cinema tickets and free TV show tickets for a money free night out.

Find the cheapest petrol

Use the website PetrolPrices.com to see where the cheapest petrol is in your local area. Plan ahead to avoid running on empty and having to fill up at an expensive service station forecourt.

Don’t get ripped off on your MOT

Get your MOT done at a council run or ‘Just MOTs’ garage. As these places don’t do repairs or sales they have no reason to try and con you out of money for work that doesn’t need to be done. Just MOTs offers a car MOT for jut £27 when booked in advance online. Also be sure to look at how to pass your MOT test first time

Free mobile photo prints

Get free photo prints of all those Instragram snaps straight from your mobile phone with a handy app that gives you 500 free monthly prints.

Try the £10 a week food challenge

You can live off £10 a week in food without resorting to baked beans on toast for seven days. Take our £10 a week shop challenge and see how much you can save.

Make every day foods for yourself

Get practical in the kitchen and make some everyday foods – from bread to ketchup – yourself with these easy recipes. It’ll save LOTS of money and is far easier than you think.

Learn cheap flight hacks

If you’re looking to get away, check out how to get ultra cheap flights with some nifty and surprising online tips that save hundreds of pounds on a holiday.

Get FREE stuff

Get stuff for FREE. Take advantage of give-aways, free samples, tasters and testers, as well as websites like Gumtree, to get stuff for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING without being scammed. There really is no cash.

Get free software

You can replace most expensive software with free (often better) alternatives. Most software companies (e.g. Microsoft) also offer cheaper or even free student and academic versions of their products.

Don’t bother with a landline phone

You almost certainly do not need a landline phone so don’t bother with it. Not only will it save you cash on the phone cost but also paying expensive line rental each month, assuming you can get cable broadband.