National Student Money Week 2025 is from Monday 3^rd of March – Friday 7^th of March. 

National Student Money Week (NSMW) is an annual campaign created by the National Association of Student Money Advisers to raise awareness about the money advice and support available to students at University and beyond.

We know words like budgeting and planning seem boring and are probably some of the last things students want to hear when moving away for the first time. But there is no getting away from the fact that making your money last is becoming more difficult with the cost of living being where it is. But if you take some time to do a bit of planning, there is a less of a risk of making poor financial choices and a higher chance that you will have some money left over to reward yourself from time to time!

Budgeting can be a great way to ensure your money lasts as long as possible. We appreciate this isn’t the easiest thing to do when at university but working out a broad outline of what you will likely spend on food, bills and other commitments will help you see how much you will have leftover to spend on yourself. 

You can get access to a budgeting worksheet as well as links to a whole host of useful budgeting apps that you can download on your phone, alongside lots of other budgeting information here on the UPSU website here.

We can all be guilty of spending little bits here and there but those little bits really can add up. For example, are you buying a coffee every morning to get you through those 9am lecture? Imagine adding that up per week and then per month. What about per year? The Money Saving Expert Demotivator can assist you to do that but be warned, it can be quite the eye-watering experience. Have a go here, if you feel brave enough.

Manage your outgoings with savings tips!

• Shop savvy – Spotting a bargain goes further than bagging a new pair of trainers in the sale. Head to the reduced aisle for fresh produce that would otherwise be thrown away, plan your week in meals and do one big shop to stock up on the food you’ll need to make them. Feel free to use comparison websites such as Which? to get regular updates on the most affordable supermarkets near you.
• Fakeaway night – Why not put your chef skills to practise by cooking up a storm in the kitchen for you and your housemates? The average takeaway costs £20, so even if you switched out your Saturday night Chinese for a homemade meal, you could save £60 per month.
• Shower power – Sure, a relaxing soak in the bath is an ideal way to unwind after a long day studying. But did you know switching out one bath a week for a four-minute shower could save you over £11 a year? Full steam ahead.
• Flick the switch – See that red standby button on your TV? If you turned that off, along with all your other house appliances, you’ll be £55 better off by the end of the year. Now that’s savvy switching.
• Turn down the heat – Next time you put on a load of washing, turn the dial down to 30 degrees. While it may sound insignificant, you could save £28 per year by doing this. Not a bad way to lighten the load.
• Channel your inner barista – We all love an extra shot latte to counteract a later-than-planned night. Instead of blowing £3.50 at your nearest coffee chain, try making your own at home and bringing it with you to lectures. Even if you did this three times a week, you’d save a tenner. That’s 40 pound per month – likely enough to cover your phone bill. 
• Meal prep like a pro – Often find yourself in the meal deal aisle come lunch time? That trusty Tupperware hiding in your cupboard might just be your new best friend. Making a big batch of your favourite meal and portioning it out for the next few days is a great hack for cutting down on those sarnies.

Remember, you can access free financial advice at the SU at anytime.

As a University of Plymouth student, you have access to the SU Advice team who are highly experienced and can offer free, impartial, and confidential financial advice to any student who needs it. This includes advice on budgeting, discounts, travel, healthcare, welfare benefits and childcare costs to help make sure you are getting the best value for money. 

SU Advice can also help you to navigate and understand Student Finance England (SFE), including your tuition fee loans, maintenance loans, and if you qualify for any bursaries or additional grants. 

Our SU Advice team are here to support all University of Plymouth students, whether they are a new student, returning student, postgraduate or international student: we are here to offer information and guidance to ensure you understand your outgoing fees and available financial support.

Get in touch by emailing advice@su.plymouth.ac.uk, by calling us on 01752 588373 (and leaving a voicemail if we cannot get to the phone), or by completing the online enquiry form here.