Apart from the late nights and mornings, the student lifestyle ain’t so different. You have a set amount of cash coming into your account at the beginning of each term, and a constant level of rent to pay. There’s no mystery in the fact that once the cash goes, it’s gone, so think ahead to save yourself undue hassle later. We asked MoneySavingExpert.com’s Martin Lewis to give you his top tips on keeping your finances in shape at uni.
Pick the top student bank account
Don’t just use the bank located at your university or the one you had your account with in your teens. There are massive differences between student bank accounts and choosing the correct one puts serious cash in your pocket: read the Best Student Account article for a rundown of the best buys.
Remember a company’s job is to make money from you
This isn’t a trite statement, it’s crucially important. As a student you're effectively entering the adult financial world for the first time. It’s too easy to believe companies' promises and marketing.
Always remember “they want my cash” and look with a sceptical eye; you’ll make better decisions. Do your research. It’s easy to assume mobile phones, supermarkets, gym membership, TVs, gas & electricity bills, car and home insurance and other prices don’t vary too much – but they do.
Making the right financial decisions can literally keep £1,000s in your pocket a year. MoneySavingExpert.com is dedicated to helping you do that; the other articles apply just as much to students as anyone else (don’t automatically believe ‘student specials’ are best, always compare them to the best mainstream product). Most importantly, ensure you’re getting the free Weekly Money Tips Email so you don’t miss out.