We know that money can be a big worry for you. The National Student Money Survey 2019 suggested that as many as 79% of students interviewed “worry about making ends meet”. The same survey showed that 57% of those worried about money felt that this impacted their mental health, 79% felt that their social life suffered and 35% believed that their grades had been impacted.

Make it your mission to maximise your income whilst you are studying as worrying about money will detract from your studying.

Monday 3^rd – Friday 7^th February is National Student Money Week (NSMW). This is a national campaign that takes place every year, the theme for 2020 is “Spend Healthy - Live Healthy: Sustainable Money”.

We want to make sure you have the information that can help you get the best value for money and make your money go further, so throughout NSMW we’ll be sharing tips to increase awareness about what habits you can change and implement to be happier, healthier and more sustainable spenders.

Here are few little tips that can make a big difference to your wallet:
 

• Make sure you’re getting the maximum amount of Student Loan, click here for current rates.

• Make sure you have a student bank account with a student overdraft facility. You will be expected to use this before being able to apply for other sources of income such as the University’s Financial Support Fund – free money that you can apply for until 29^th May 2020, (8^th May 2020 for final year students).

• If home is far away get a rail card or look at the Megabus to see if you could get home for £1

• See if you can find employment or self-employment to fit in with your studies. UPSU starts recruiting Student roles end of February/March, for more info click here.

• Use your Totum card, whether it’s eating out, dining in, going to the cinema or buying online, loads of places give Student discount, if you’re not sure just ask at the till they won’t be offended

• Use loyalty cards, whether this is Nectar, Tesco or regular coffee stamps, it all amounts to free money which you may need by the end of the term. 

• Buy a travel cup and take your coffee from home, if you’re an O2 phone user then you may be able to pick up a free one at Caffé Nero on a Tuesday. 

If you’re struggling then visit your SU Advice Centre. We’re your friendly, free, confidential and entirely independent service based right in the heart of campus. Find out more about us here.

Since September 2019 our team of dedicated advisors have helped students to save £266,871.

Interested in winning a fitness tracker watch?

From Monday 3rd February, all you need to do is follow these simple steps:

1. Collect a NSMW #ZeroWasteJar from the SU Advice Centre, the SU Gym or the University Student Services HUB between 3^rd - 7^th Feb
2. Prepare a meal using one of the provided recipes, or create your own
3. Share a picture of your filled jar on Instagram with #ZerowasteJar #NSMW
4. Follow and tag @Blackbullion and @up.su

Stop by, collect your free jar, and join the #ZeroWasteJar insta competition to inspire us with your meal creativity. Best jars on instagram will go into a prize draw for a fitness tracker!

You must do all 3 steps to qualify for the competition. You are allowed to enter the competition as many times as you like.

The campus winner will get a fitness tracker and the country-wide winner will win Dr Dre Beats. Sponsored by Blackbullion.

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