Saving money isn’t quite what most 2014 Freshers probably have in mind when going off to University, but you need to think about it!

Starting University is an exciting time and it’s easy to get caught up in going out every night, buying new clothes and ordering takeaways more often than you cook a well rounded meal; and it’s all thanks to the wondrous student loan that magically arrives in your bank account once a term.

However, managing your finances as a new student can be a difficult task and has a heck of a high chance of going wrong, especially if this is the first time you have had access to that amount of money, and full reign over what to spend it on.

Luckily, to help, we’ve compiled a list of the top five tips to help you manage your money as a new student in 2014.

Plan your weekly shop and meals well

Planning your meals in advance is a great way to save money and if possible, cook dinners in bulk to have as lunch the next day. You’ll soon see just how much money is saved when takeaways are taken out of the equation.

Take note of student discounts

Student discounts are offered up and down the high street thanks to University student cards and NUS discount cards. So, keep an eye out for up to 20% off in many of your favourite shops. If in doubt, ask at stores or places out about student discounts, the worst they can say is no!

> 8 clothing shops with student discounts

Sell your used books

One major financial burden of University is buying bundles of book for each and every course module. However, once you have used many of your books you won’t need them again so why not sell them at a discounted price to other students or on websites such as Amazon Marketplace for a bit of extra cash.

Set up a student bank account

Student bank accounts are designed for specifically for students and often come with great useful discounts, such as a free 16-24 railcard with some banks, and a generous overdraft to help you when you find yourself strapped for cash.

EXTRA! Read our Ultimate Money Saving Guide for Students

Take some time out and read our Ultimate Money Saving Guide for Students, it’s packed full with some 100+ money saving tips for students, from saving cash on bills to food.