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BLOG: Essential money saving advice for students
Six tips from the experts at student discount site, UNiDAYS.
The costs associated with going to university are climbing yet the temptations to continue spending have by no means tapered off.
When I attended university, I couldn’t resist the urge to buy clothes, music and gadgets. I would spend much of my cash on outfits to equip me for every occasion from lectures to the gym and, of course, nights out.
This urge, in my opinion, has increased among today’s students thanks to the abundance of high-street shops and online stores within easy reach. Our own research shows the average 18-24 year old spends 20% more online than the average customer and makes double the number of purchases.
Here are some money saving tips today’s students should definitely look up:
Last season clothes
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This might not sound right, as it’s cold outside, but now is a good time to buy summer clothes and store them for the right time next year. The same applies to winter. Buy next year’s coat and boots at the end of the cold snap.
Buying the clothes you need at the wrong time of year is a good trick that will pay off in the long run. If, like many of the friends in my university years, you like to be on trend, just buy basic items that won’t change next season.
Marketing emails
Most retailers now offer incentives to reward loyal customers. Sign up to your favourite brands’ email alerts where you are likely get notified in advance about sales events, coupon codes and exclusive online offers.
Follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook too. New Look often uses its page to promote new offers such as free next day delivery and share details of in-store student events where you can get 20% off.
Membership sites
Students are bombarded with a myriad of promotions. The problem is that searching for the latest coupon codes can feel like a chore.
Join dedicated student discount sites like myunidays.com where signing up to membership is fast, easy and free. This way, you can get student discounts of up to 50% that have already been negotiated with major brands.
Cashback sites
Sign up to sites like Quidco where you can get cashback with hundreds of retailers. Earn cashback every time you shop by viewing what promotions are running and clicking through to the retailer’s website to shop as you normally would.
Sample sales
If you are prepared to get out of bed early and queue, head down to sample sales events where you can get up to 70% off big brands.
Designers like Paul Smith regularly run events in their warehouses to discard excess and out-of-season stock. Most sample sales are held in London but you can find a selection across the country.
Clothes swap
With retailers like Primark selling clothes for cheap, it’s much easier for us to throw away clothes we no longer want. If you are strapped for cash, use clothes swapping sites like swishing.co.uk instead. Every time you send your own stuff in, you will get virtual money credits that can be spent towards any item.
In return for sending in your old clothes, you can buy items from high-street retailers like H&M. Although worn previously, they will all be in good condition.
Jay Ludditt is co-founder of UNiDAYS