UK students are swapping big gestures for small, sustainable habits to keep costs down this term. A Guardian round-up asked current and recent students for the tactics that actually moved the needle, from classic discount hacks to rethinking first-year housing.
Several students say the simplest wins start before you buy anything: sign up to UNiDAYS and Student Beans and check for student discount codes every time you shop. Others found that leaving Apple Pay at home and taking a set amount of cash on nights out stopped impulse spending.
Create a plan, select a few rules you can actually follow, and utilise the discounts and support available to you. Housing is the big outlay, and the boldest tip came from a first-year student who shared a room. "It more than halved" their rent, taking the annual bill to around £3000. It won't suit everyone, but in high-rent cities like London (which can reach £178/week), the savings can be dramatic if your university offers the option.
If you're mapping out a term-time budget, UCAS has a straightforward student budget planner to tot up income and essential costs. And if your overdraft or freebies will influence where you bank, MoneySavingExpert keeps an up-to-date guide on the best student bank accounts.
The overall message? Make a plan, pick a couple of rules you can actually follow, and lean on the discounts and support you have access to. Those small, repeatable choices, plus the occasional bigger decision on things like housing, add up fast.
