Student life means a new life... but also new expenses, and very often less money coming in.
Here are some tips to help you live these years to the fullest, while minimising your expenses!
First tip: take advantage of your student status
Being a student opens the door to many advantages and gives you access to many good deals:
- some museums, theatres, cinemas and restaurants have student offers
- Many clothing brands and major retailers offer 5-20% off(StudentBeans lists a lot of great deals, so check them out!)
- you can also have access to discounts on transport, check the website of your region to see what is in place locally
- when you are a student you can benefit from grants or state aid (Smarto offers you a grant simulator right here to make your research easier).
Enough for you to go out (and buy that pair of trainers you've been dreaming of for two months) at a low price!
Second tip: cut your expenses
As we all know, a new flat entails considerable expenses, so here are some tips on how to reduce them:
- living in a shared flat, a good plan for your wallet and great anecdotes guaranteed
- keep an eye on the loads, including turning off the lights, unplugging electronic devices that don't need to be unplugged, encouraging quick showers (the planet and your finances will thank you)
- No more dozens of cleaning products that take up space under your sink, opt instead for baking soda and white vinegar, which are all-in-one (and another thank you from the Earth and your bank account).
When it comes to food, we know that ordering in can be tempting, but you can also adopt these habits to save money:
- don't shop on an empty stomach (to avoid compulsive shopping) and cook in large quantities to freeze some for later
- go to the end of the market to take advantage of fresh products at a lower cost (or even free)
- use anti-waste apps such as Too Good To Go which offers you dishes and food at low prices.
A healthy mind in a healthy body is guaranteed if you adopt all (or even some) of these little habits!
Third tip: the second hand will be your best friend
Second hand is a good option for making a positive impact and saving money, especially on :
- clothes: thanks to thrift shops or some apps like Vinted where you can buy and sell items at reduced prices
- electronics: BackMarket offers a wide range of refurbished electronics (from laptops to coffee machines) at low prices
- furniture: garage sales, flea markets and Leboncoin are real Ali Baba's caves where you will find a lot of bargains!
We hope that these tips will help you to approach your student life more serenely, and if you have any other advice, don't hesitate to share it with the Smarties community right here!
