Ways to spend less – top tips from Blackbullion

1. Clear your debts as soon as possible and until you can see

whether it is possible to move your debt on to a zero

interest credit card.

2. Ask for free samples of perfumes and other products

at department stores and specialty shops.

3. Avoid extended warranties unless absolutely essential –

As a general rule with appliances if it won’t last

three years don’t buy it.

4. Late fees are a killer – be wary of going overdrawn or

into unauthorised overdraft.

5. Be aware of false discounts. If you weren’t going to buy a

pizza then a 50% off “deal” isn’t saving you money.

6. Bike and walk instead of driving and you’ll save money,

and get fit (might mean you could stop paying for the gym too).

7. Bone up on your meat: chicken breasts are twice as

expensive as a whole chicken, turkey is cheaper than chicken,

canned tuna is cheaper than tuna steak…

8. Borrow things from others instead of buying them if you

can and if you have to buy consider used or second-hand.

9. Buy a printer while studying – it will work out cheaper

in the long run. Be aware of the cost of cartridges, avoid

printing colour as much as possible and make sure you

use both sides of printing paper.

10. Check your electricity – turn off appliances (standby really

does use up power!) and lights when you leave a room.

11. Consider gadgets – which do you have? Which do you need?

Which can you sell? How often do you need to upgrade?

12. Cook, shop deals and go to a cheaper supermarket –

there are many savings to be had when it comes to food.

13. Do you really need a home phone?

Maybe your mobile is enough.

14. Have a couple of zero spend days a week – as in literally

spend nothing. It will give your finances some breathing room

and leave more money to spend when you really want it.

15. Don’t be brand loyal with everything you buy –

your computer? Yes The pasta, sugar and canned tuna?

No. You pay for the pretty colours and pictures. Be smarter!

16. Cut down on fizzy drinks and don’t buy bottled

water (can be more expensive than petrol).

17. Don’t do laundry until the machine is full (you’ll save

on water) and don’t buy items marked “dry clean only”.

18. Keep an eye out for freebie entertainment –

don’t pay full price for theatre, cinema, festivals or gigs

(there are often online discounts) and hunt around for

free and cheap ways to entertain yourself.

19. Finally give up that vice…Cigarettes, alcohol, gambling,

coffee and takeaways are part of student life but if all

you ever did was cut these out and invest the money you

would have enough money for life.

20. Get creative about going out; drink at home with

friends rather than going out and tell everyone to bring

a bottle (they’ll thank you!).

21. Go on a treasure hunt in the pound shop. From cards

to candles, decorations to door knobs, shampoo and soaps

forage enough and you’ll find everything you need.

22. Go out mid-week rather than the weekend. Mid-week

deals can be as much as 50% off.

23. If you do have a student card be sure to ask about

discounts while shopping but remember it is only a deal

if you were going to buy it anyway.

24. If you have friends who wear the same size clothing

consider swapping or sharing – top up your wardrobe for free.

25. Learn DIY – improve the skills needed to tackle household

repairs (never electricity!).

26. Learn to say ‘no’ – much of our spending is peer-driven.

Make decisions with your head and not your heart.

27. Don’t use disposable stuff because you don’t want to

wash up – alumiumium foil containers are expensive and you

can get cheap pots, pans, plates and cutlery and use them over

and over for years (better for the environment too).

28. Meal multipliers – some things (like beans, lentils, peas, rice

and pasta) will bulk up a meal for very little money.

29. Never use an ATM that costs money to use.

There will often be a free machine a short walk away.

30. Be harsh on your cash – if you must have a TV

package consider skipping cinema, if you love playing

computer games then maybe you can cut out fizzy drinks.

Make conscious spending decisions.

31. Re-use plastic bags; bathroom bins, lunch bags for

work or for cleaning up after the dog (just check for holes!).

32. Shop the ethnic-food aisles; Spices, rice, and other

staples are often much cheaper here. Many hygiene essentials

e.g. cotton buds are found cheaper in the baby section.

33. Skip the beauty products. You can make face-masks,

exfoliators and other treats – Google it!

34. Stop taking taxis – organise a designated driver or use

public transport or walk (but always be safe!).

35. Get your 16-25 railcard if you can and book trips as

in advance as possible.

36. Train tickets get more expensive the closer to your

travel date to book.

37. Use generic medications instead of name brand whenever

you can – paracetamol is paracetamol!

38. Use washable rags instead of paper towel when

cleaning up; old clothes are perfect.

39. Wash your laundry in cold water instead of hot and

reduce the energy use by 50% and air dry rather than

using a dryer if at all possible.

40. You need to look good but you don’t need brands. Too

many students blow far too much money on suits etc for

job interviews. A suitable outfit from Primark or M&S

will be just as impressive as one from Hugo Boss. There

will be plenty of time (hopefully) for splurging on work clothes.

41. Give yourself the best chance to succeed and

unsubscribe from emails and catalogues trying to sell you

stuff. The hardest thing to resist is temptation.

42. squeeze the last bit out of your toothpaste, shampoo,

conditioner, tomato sauce and everything else.

43. Take the freebies – from pens given away by societies to

sugar at coffee shops and pads of paper at the printer.

Cheap is good, free is better.

44. Repurpose old clothes – If you’re handy with a needle

and thread – or even a pair of scissors – turn

something you’re no longer wearing into something else.

45. As much as possible steer clear of buying stuff you don’t

need or want – “Debt is a dream killer”.