10 Clever Money-Saving Lessons Every Student Should Know

There are plenty of things to worry about as a student and money shouldn't have to be one of them. Unfortunately, however, lack of money is one of the biggest worries for students. Everything from rent and bills to food and equipment has to come out of your budget. As a student, there are plenty of ways to increase your budget through borrowing, but this only creates new problems when it comes to paying it back. It is better to try and make your existing budget stretch further.rnA little careful planning, and following these 10 lessons can save you money and allow you to leave the worrying for deadlines and exams. Saving on your food bills The first and most important lesson to remember is never to go shopping on an empty stomach. Shopping when you are hungry leads to impulse buying, and you will end up spending more and going home with a trolley full of things you don't really need. Planning is the second most important element of cheap food shopping. If you live in a shared house, plan your week's meals together with your roommates so you can buy in bulk and save even more. Once you have a plan and a list, you need to work out where you can find the cheapest places to shop. Checking out offers and deals is lesson three, but only buy items you need and that are part of your plan. Also make sure you have loyalty card for all of the main shops in your local area. This way you can collect points wherever you shop. Saving on your office supplies Books, paper, pens, even with the growth in laptop computers and tablets, are all still necessary elements of student life. Shopping in bulk for your office supplies is lesson five. Office supplies don't spoil so it is worth looking at two for one offers. However, as with food, only buy into the offers for things you will actually use. Becoming a coupon king or queen is lesson six. There are plenty of websites that offer coupons for a variety of shops and online retailers. Spend a little time searching out these coupons and deals and you will save money. One of the easiest ways to save money on books is often one of the most overlooked. Lesson seven - make the most of the library. Universities and colleges have well-stocked libraries that also have a range of other services including photocopying and free internet. You can often find hidden gems at your local public library and support the service they provide at the same time. Saving on clothing and sundries One of the easiest ways to save money on clothing is to make those you have last longer. So, lesson eight is to learn how to mend clothes. A few careful stitches when a tear or rip first appears can make clothes last much longer. When you do need to replace something, consider local charity shops. By following lesson nine, you are not only saving money but helping others as well. If you really can't find anything you like, try online stores and discount shops, these are great for cheap underwear that you really can't buy second-hand. The last lesson involves all those other little bits that often cost more than they need to, everything from make-up and hair gel to phone chargers and hair dryers. Before you go out and buy anything new, question whether you really need it and if you do is it something you can borrow rather than buy. Sharing items such as hairdryers and phone chargers is a great way to save money. If you need something specific for a night out that you are unlikely ever to use again, see if you can do a swap with one of your housemates for that occasion. You can take the same approach to presents. If you all come back from your Christmas break with presents you don't like, have a present swapping party. It's a great way to save money and have fun at the same time.