15 tips for students doing Freshers week on a budget – including food and booze

Rising prices are affecting all of us, but students looking to have a good time at university can still have a good time and enjoy student life without breaking the bank.

Freshers week can be a make-or-break moment for the bank balances of many students in their first term of university, with no end to boozy socials, burnt meals, and hastily ordered takeaways. And with prices set to rise further this winter, this has never been more true.

However, there are plenty of ways that new students can scrimp and save money, while still taking part in everyday student life. The deal experts at NetVoucherCodes have worked with the Mirror to compile a guide with 15 tips to stay on top of your money while making a start on your path to academic success.

From how you can eat and drink on a budget, to making the most of your university experience, being a student is all about learning how to stand on your own two feet- as well as where to find the best 2-for-1 deals.

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Mitch Barnes, online consumer expert from NetVoucherCodes said: “We wanted to offer undergraduates peace of mind when preparing for the costly side of moving to university.

“Freshers is a time where the memories you make will last a lifetime, but we are also aware of the extortionate costs this period of fun can lead to. From creating a budget folder to learning how to spend less in a nightclub, there’s plenty of helpful tips to save the extra cash.”

Check out our guide below to see how you could save money this turn, and not turn to your big student overdraft.

1. Get all the freebies

Most campuses will hold a ‘freshers fair’ for new students to find out about a variety of interests and to sign up for exclusive offers. But it also is a place to get items for free such as tote bags, pens and even shot glasses. It’s essentially a freebie fair, so get out the goodie bag and have a look around!

2. Pre-drinks to save cash

Bar hopping, dress-up club nights and pub crawls, all can break the bank in just a few days. It’s becoming more common to pre-drink beforehand with your friends and play some fun drinking games such as ‘Ring of Fire ’ and ‘Never Have I Ever’.

3. Happy hour deals

It’s a great way to snap up a deal, 2 for 1 drinks, or happy hour £5.50 cocktails for two hours in the evening. Have a look for the bars across the city to find out who are offering the best deals.

4. Become a savvy supermarket shopper

Become a bargain hunter by looking out for brilliant deals, such as the yellow reduced labels every evening to make a late dinner, as well as shopping around at different supermarkets to compare the prices. It’ll help get the weekly food shop from £40 down to £20 .

5. Student discount apps

Sign up for every app possible to get discounts from 10% to 50% on clothes, gadgets and even a free fast-food meal.

6. Create a budget folder

It’s easy to want to go and splash the student loan on anything and everything, but in the long run you don’t want to get to November and run out of cash. Get out coloured pens and label each folder from food shop to nights out to new clothes every month – it will all be worth it.

7. Invest in a student railcard

Whether you’re heading home every weekend or once in a blue moon, getting a student railcard will help save hundreds in the long run. The scheme typically saves around a third of transport costs and is particularly useful as petrol prices are at an all-time high.

8. Banking pots

Online banking can help tremendously to save on all the new expenses which you’ll be introduced to after going to university. Dividing the money into different pots and labelling each one can help you to learn how to save and prevent overspending.

9. Food discount codes

There’s plenty of student offers on takeaways to help knock off half the price, all you may need is a student discount app and some ID and the deal is yours. Have a look at discount codes on fast food delivery services.

10. Look for a part time job early

It’s not a priority for a lot of students, as the party side is usually at the forefront. However, the earlier you look for a part-time job the quicker you can save and make the most out of university life. Perhaps before moving in, get applying so that interviews can be lined up as the earliest opportunity.

You might think having a job would be boring, but the additional cash flow will help you enjoy your time better and never have to say no to a good night out.

11. Stock up early

A food shop becomes a big deal at university, it becomes part of your daily routine and that’s why it’s essential to stock up on cupboard foods early. Get bulk buying pasta, noodles and the big packs of toilet roll, so that you can save on the extra pennies every week.

12. Cheaper workouts

New city, new gym. Explore the different workout spaces near your university to see how they compare in price and facilities. Sometimes, university gyms may be more expensive compared to one down the road, so make sure to have a look .

13. Free streaming services

The amount of streaming services available increases by the minute. Most offer free trials to allow new members to join for a limited time before paying a monthly fee. During the freshers fair, there may be spokespeople for the streaming companies offering free trials which can last over six months, so make sure to keep an eye out.

14. Hold off the taxis

The temptation to get a taxi anywhere can break the bank, so have a look at walking, getting the bus or even a tram if your city has one. It’s important though to stay safe when walking back at night, so make sure to either walk with a group of friends or compare different taxi prices.

15. Don’t go into the overdraft

For lots of students it seems like an easy way to cover the expenses, but it’s extremely risky to go into your overdraft as it can impact the next month of trying to save money. If it’s a last minute resort, try not to make it a regular pattern otherwise it can get extremely expensive down the road.

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