If you’re starting University later this year then listen up, we’ve got some top money saving tips for 2014 Freshers!

Be prepared, obvs

If you don’t make a finance plan before you go to university, you’re almost certain to overspend. While this might be fun in the beginning, it will soon become apparent that you don’t have enough money left to finish the term with. You should make a list of all income and outgoings that you’re likely to have, including an allowance for new books and household items at first, and then set yourself a realistic weekly budget based upon it.

Bulk buying is your friend

No matter what you’re buying, whether it’s course materials such as notepads and pens, or food, things will be cheaper if you buy them in bulk. While space may be an issue for some of the items, staples such as pasta, cereal and rice can be a lot less expensive if bought in larger quantities. Provided you have somewhere to store this type of thing, you could potentially take enough dried pasta and rice with you to last the entire term. You may also find that buying meat in bulk is friendly to the wallet, however you will need to ensure that you have enough space to store it if you are living in shared accommodation.

Never take your bank card on a night out

Before going out, leave your card at home. There’s nothing worse than getting home after a night on the town to find that somebody (or more likely you) has spent £100 on champagne for everybody in a club. It may be a great way to make new friends, but it’s much cheaper to draw out the amount that you’re willing to spend in advance, as this makes sure that you stick to it.

Choose your supermarket wisely

When you’re trying to save money, it will help to switch to smaller supermarkets and even small independent shops which will vary from place to place. You will find that some shops sell certain items cheaply while others specialise in something else – finding out what is cheap where is more than worth it. It will only take a couple of weeks to get the hang of it, and you will have at least three years to reap the rewards.

Keep an eye open for money making opportunities

If you live on campus, you are likely to be offered the chance to make small amounts of money. From working as a cleaner in the halls of residence to showing people around on open days, chances to make a few extra pounds are often there. Also keep an eye open for the psychology labs, as students undertaking research will often pay for your time. It may only be small amounts, but it will add up, and can also be quite interesting.