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Time Business News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
How to Manage Money as a Student: Budget Tips for College Success
Managing money as a student isn't just about skipping lattes or buying used textbooks. It's about building smart habits that stick with you long after graduation. When you're balancing tuition, living expenses, and limited income, every dollar counts. And while budgeting may sound like a chore, it can actually give you more control and peace of mind. Here's a practical, step-by-step guide to help you get a handle on your finances during college—and set yourself up for long-term success. The first rule of money management is knowing what's coming in and what's going out. Start by listing all your sources of income—whether it's part-time work, a scholarship stipend, parental help, or financial aid. Then, break down your monthly expenses. This includes: Rent and utilities Groceries Transportation Phone and internet Tuition and fees (if not paid up front) Subscriptions and entertainment Categorize them into 'needs' and 'wants.' This doesn't mean you can't have fun. It just means you need to know where your money's going so you can make intentional choices. Apps like Mint and YNAB (You Need a Budget) make this easier by tracking spending and helping you set limits for each category. Once you have your budget mapped out, fund your essentials first. Rent, utilities, groceries, and tuition payments should always be covered before discretionary spending. A common budgeting rule is the 50/30/20 model: 50% of your income goes to needs of your income goes to needs 30% to wants to wants 20% to savings and debt repayment While this may not fit every student's situation perfectly, it's a solid starting point. Adjust the percentages based on your actual income and obligations, but don't let savings drop to zero. College students have access to a surprising number of perks—if they know where to look. From transportation and software to restaurants and streaming services, student discounts can significantly reduce everyday costs. Websites like UNiDAYS and Student Beans compile current offers and exclusive deals. Many major brands also offer educational pricing directly on their websites. For example, companies like Apple and Adobe have special pricing for students that can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Using student discounts wisely allows you to afford the things you enjoy without sacrificing your financial goals. Life is unpredictable. A sudden car repair or medical bill can derail your entire budget if you're not prepared. That's why even a small emergency fund matters. Start with a modest goal: $300 to $500. Keep it in a separate savings account, ideally one that earns a bit of interest. This buffer will help you avoid relying on credit cards or borrowing money when the unexpected happens. Remember, the point isn't to save thousands overnight. It's to develop the habit of saving consistently, even in small amounts. Credit cards are useful tools—if used correctly. They can help you build a credit history, which you'll need for future goals like renting an apartment or buying a car. But they can also be dangerous if you treat them like free money. Here's a smart approach: Use your card for small, planned purchases (like gas or groceries) Pay off the full balance each month Avoid using more than 30% of your credit limit And never take out a credit card just for the rewards. If you're not confident you can manage it, stick to cash or debit until you are. Between classes and assignments, your time is limited. But even a few extra hours of paid work each week can make a difference. Look for jobs that fit your schedule and skill set: On-campus jobs (library, tutoring, front desk) Freelance work (writing, design, coding) Part-time remote gigs (customer service, virtual assistant) Some students also explore work-study options, which are often more accommodating to academic responsibilities. Just be sure your job doesn't interfere with your grades. The return on your education is your top investment. Budgeting isn't something you do once and forget. Your expenses and income will fluctuate, especially in college. Check in at the end of each month and adjust your plan. Ask yourself: Did I overspend in any category? Are there recurring charges I can cut? Did I save as much as I planned? Over time, you'll get better at spotting trends and avoiding financial pitfalls before they happen. You don't need a finance degree to understand how to manage your money. But you do need to know the basics. Look up concepts like: Interest rates Student loan repayment options Budgeting strategies Credit scores Resources like Investopedia offer clear explanations and guides that are beginner-friendly. The more you know, the better decisions you'll make—and the fewer financial regrets you'll have later. Managing money as a student isn't about being perfect. It's about being proactive. Every meal you cook instead of ordering, every discount you claim, and every dollar you save adds up. These small steps create a mindset of responsibility and independence that will serve you well beyond college. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it. Start now, and you'll thank yourself later. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
How to save money as a student
Never mind school, your university years are often billed as the best of your life. If you're the typical 18-year-old, it's likely to be your first time living away from home, an opportunity to meet new people and, hopefully, a chance to study something you're passionate about. However, a university education is becoming increasingly expensive. Research from Save the Student suggests it costs the average undergraduate £22,498 a year to study in the UK, or £67,494 over the typical three-year course. Student loans and parental help are crucial, but even with that support, most students will need to live on a tight budget. Many students will find opportunities to make money, but it helps if you can save money too. Here Telegraph Money gives you ideas and tips on how you can save. 1. Write a budget It's pretty much impossible to manage your finances well unless you've got a budget. When you don't know exactly how much you need to spend on rent, bills and books, you won't know what you can spend at the Student Union on Saturday night. A good budget should list all the money you have coming in each month and a breakdown of all the bills and expenses you need to meet before you can start spending on the fun stuff. If you're struggling to get motivated, try to view a budget as something that helps you feel in control of your finances, rather than something that limits you. Government website MoneyHelper has a free online budget planner to get you started. 2. Sign up for student discounts Lots of shops offer discounts to students, but you might need to register with a website such as UNiDAYs, Totum or Student Beans to access them all. At the time of writing, Student Beans was offering a 10pc discount at Boots and 20pc off at the restaurant Wagamama. Amazon Prime offers students a six-month free trial as part of their discount scheme. 3. Cut the cost of music streaming If you can't bear adverts when you're listening to music, you'll need to cough up for uninterrupted tunes. Spotify, however, offers students a month free on Spotify Premium, followed by £5.99 a month thereafter. That compares with £11.99 for individuals, albeit with three months free. Apple Music also offers discounts for undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. You get a special rate of £5.99 a month as well as free access to Apple TV+. This compares with the full fee of £10.99 for Apple Music and £8.99 for Apple TV+. 4. Save on textbooks Textbooks can be ridiculously expensive. According to Save the Student, the average undergrad pays £24 a month on course resources. If you don't manage to reserve your copy in the library, before they all disappear, all is not lost. Check out second-hand book websites and charity shops close to campus. Alternatively, buddying up to students in the year above or putting up a request on department notice boards can help you get their books before they go elsewhere. Another option is to find out if any of your required texts are available to download as e-books – VitalSource boasts discounts of up to 80pc. Even better, see if you can access the pages you need for free using Google Scholar, an academic search engine. 5. Save on the train If you'll be using the train to get home or to visit friends at other universities, make sure you don't pay more than you need. Railcards for 16 to 25-year-olds cost £35 a year and will give you a third off train travel. You can also save with split-ticketing – this is where you can pay less for your journey by breaking it down and buying a different ticket for each constituent part. It's a bit fiddly working it out yourself but websites such as Trainsplit can help. 6. Ditch the train and get the coach You might be able to save even more by getting a coach instead of the train. The Young Persons Coachcard costs £15 a year (or £35 for three years) and gives you a third off fares. Separately, Student Beans is offering a 15pc discount on National Express coaches. Even without a discount, getting the coach will likely be a significant saving. The average advanced fare of a train from Manchester to London is £35.19, according to The average coach fare is half the price at £17 according to travel site Omio. 7. Learn how to food shop It's easy to blow a fortune in the supermarket – where everything is staged to make you spend – but if you know what you're doing, you can beat them at their own game. Many supermarkets will bring out the yellow-sticker gun in the early evening, heavily discounting the food that they won't be able to sell the next day – just be sure to eat it quickly or put it in the freezer until you can. It's also worth noting that the most expensive foods will be at eye-level – get down on your knees for the cheaper versions on the lowest shelves. You should also write a list and stick to it. Importantly, never shop when you're hungry. 8. Club together with your housemates The households with the lowest collective bills will be those that team up and co-operate. Shop around to get the best deal on your broadband package, as well as your gas and electricity supplier on comparison websites. It is possible to use bill-splitting services, but these can be expensive. It's better for housemates to each take responsibility for a specific bill and use bill-splitting apps to request payments (just make sure all housemates are listed on each bill). Another option is to set up a joint account between you. 9. Eat together Housemates can also save a fortune by pooling their resources for food. It makes sense to have a kitty to pay for store cupboard staples you can all use such as oil, herbs, spices and so on. It's also more efficient if you can take it in turns to cook for each other – you'll spend less overall, eat better and you'll be much less likely to splurge on a takeaway when you know your housemate has got a curry bubbling away. 10. Find free things to do Going out doesn't need to be expensive. If you're living in a big city, find out about free events, whether that's museums, galleries or other adventures. Websites such as Eventbrite can help you find out what's going on near you. University societies often host events so take a look at what's going on within the university itself.
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Save up to 25% the next time you hire a car with these Europcar discount codes
Whether you need a holiday car, are making a work trip, or your own car has gone into the garage, Europcar's rental vehicles are a handy solution. Founded in France, the car rental company is confident that there's a Europcar vehicle to suit every trip – and we think they could be right. From easy to park small cars to people carriers, there's a huge fleet of vehicle types to choose from, picked from trusted brands such as Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai. You'll find automatic, hybrid, electric and luxury cars to choose from, too, along with a big selection of economy cars that run low on fuel. While most customers opt for a classic five-seater vehicle, there are a number of vehicles with up to nine seats, which are popular with holiday-goers and large families. Moving house or need to transport heavy goods? Europcar also has a wide range of van and truck models to choose from, including the Citroen Berlingo and Ford Transit Custom. Car rental doesn't have to cost a fortune, not with our pick of the best Europcar deals. Here, our experts have rounded up the very best ways to help you save on your next booking. Need a hire car for the summer holidays? If you make your booking before 23 March, you can enjoy up to 20 per cent off your total bill with the above discount code. Whether you're making a trip across the channel or planning to make a big move, you'll get a pick of Europcar's best rates with this early booking offer. In an exclusive partnership with the Prestige Collection, Europcar is currently offering 10 per cent discount on bookings from the elite fleet of vehicles, which includes the Aston Martin DB12 and the Ferrari 296 GTB. You've only got until 31 March, and will need to pick up your dream car from the Bayswater pick up, so be quick. On other vehicles, you'll still get 10 per cent off, just grab the above discount code, or join the Europcar's Privilege members scheme, that way you will always save at least 10 per cent on your bookings. It's free to join, so it seems like a no brainer to us. If you're a student without a permanent vehicle, but have plans for the holidays, or need a little help moving into halls, you'll get up to 15 per cent off Europcar hires when you verify your status through Student Beans. How we find the best Europcar discount codes Our skilled team of shopping experts are always searching for the best deals and discounts codes, so that you can save on the products and experiences that matter most. We search for these ourselves, but also work with brands and retailers to secure the latest deals, so rest assured that you'll always find the best of the best here. Here at The Independent 's dedicated shopping section, we're committed to helping our readers shop smart. Our team of experts have many years of experience when it comes to sourcing the very best savings, and know how to spot an unmissable offer from a dud deal.
The Independent
10-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Independent
Adventure for less with up to 75% off clothing, equipment and more at Ultimate Outdoors
With spring well and truly here, we're already thinking ahead to ways that we can explore the great British outdoors. Sunny daffodils are popping up, the days are getting a little longer, and the birds are singing – finally, it's time to start planning picnics, camping holidays and adventures. However you like to spend your time outdoors, whether it's chilling in the hot tub or setting out on a once in a lifetime expedition, Ultimate Outdoors is a retail chain that has you well and truly covered. From skiing essentials to the crème de la crème of fishing rods, you'll find everything you need online. In order to help you save some of your hard earned cash on your next purchase, our deal hunters have sourced the very best deals and discount codes from Ultimate Outdoors. Now if that doesn't call for a great big adventure, we don't know what does. On the hunt for a real bargain? Jump straight into the Ultimate Outdoors clearance and enjoy savings of up to 75 per cent. The sale features thousands of fantastic products, from walking shoes to winter wellies, with big brand names like The North Face and Dickies. For those planning to take a big trip this summer, the Eurohike Nepal 65 rucksack (was £60, now £25, is a brilliant buy, with a whopping 58 per cent discount. It comes in three colourways, and is both lightweight and packed with storage options. Take the whole family on a camping weekend away with the Vango icarus 500 deluxe family tent (was £460, now £299, – a pick that is waterproof, has a breathable structure and customisable room divisions. Until 17 March, customers can get an extra 15 per cent off at Go Outdoors when purchasing two or more qualifying items. There's a huge variety of products to choose from, including the Craghoppers kiwi classic trousers (was £65, now £38.25, which are perfect for adventuring, or using as workwear – thanks to their solarshield technology and weather protection. To qualify for the extra 15 per cent discount, pair your trousers with the Nikwax tech wash duo (was £38, now £16.15, and prolong the lifespan of your outdoor clothing with the efficient pairing of technical cleaner and wash-in waterproofer. Students need not stay inside staring at screens all day, with 15 per cent discount on full price items. All you need to do is verify your student status through Unidays or Student Beans, and you'll be free to shop Ultimate Outdoors' wide range of outdoor gear. Expect to find quality products at competitive prices, from the likes of Patagonia, Merrell and Garmin. Student days long behind you? You can still get 10 per cent off full price items, when you sign up to receive Ultimate Outdoors texts. How we choose the best Ultimate Outdoors discount codes Here at The Independent, our team of expert deal hunters are committed to bringing you the very best discounts, deals and sales. We're always searching for the best of the best, so we keep a track of prices throughout the year, to help you shop better. Whether you're searching for the best buys on camping gear, fashion or the latest in tech, our dedicated shopping section, IndyBest, has you covered. Since 1986, we've been a trusted consumer champion, with a mission to report on behalf of our readers and find the best deals. You can trust us to bring you the best on saving events and holidays, like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and the Boxing Day sales, as we've been working on them for years. We try and test as many products as possible, so that we can bring you curated selections from brands that we trust.
The Independent
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
How to save up to 70% on designer brands at Harvey Nichols
Luxury high street stalwart Harvey Nichols houses gourmet food and drink, deluxe home decor and a roster of high-end fashion and beauty – ideal for gifts with guaranteed wow factor too, the retailer has it all. Designer labels (think Jacquemus, Toteme, Valentino) can be found populating the digital shelves, as well as comparatively accessible names, from Missoma to Ganni and Veja, alongside some of the most lauded beauty brands, including Loewe and Charlotte Tilbury. Designer items don't come cheap of course, but with the Harvey Nichols designer sale, you can now save up to 70 per cent and may be able to justify the purchase after all. And the savings don't stop there. You can also sign up for the Harvey Nichols newsletter which gets 10 per cent off your first purchase, but do keep in mind that exclusions will apply. An important PSA for all students; when you use your UNiDAYS and Student Beans codes at the checkout you can get 10 per cent off fashion and beauty orders, whether you're supplementing your transitional wardrobe with lightweight knitwear or you're looking to re-buy your signature scent for less. Below you'll find the top offers currently available, and keep scrolling for our top picks. A lot of tempting deals can be found on designer handbags. Case in point, you can get more than £300 off the Coach bandit bag (was £550, now £250, The pièce de résistance of the design is the silver branding. Similarly, there's £280 off this Jacquemus le rond spiaggia woven raffia basket bag (was £560, now £280, complete with geometric golden charms. As for footwear, you could walk away with £65 off emerald green Veja sneakers (was £125, now £60, If you prefer a chunkier silhouette, opt for Axel Arigato's marathon runner sneakers (was £290, now £145, while they're £145 off. Wide-leg jeans are an enduring staple, and while their price is still quite eye-watering, you can nab Alexander McQueen's wide-leg denim jeans (was £890, now £356, with more than £500 off. With a mid-rise fit and faded finish, they'll be perfect with a white blouse for spring. Or, to inject a splash of colour into your wardrobe, Paul Smith's striped socks (was £115, now £85, are up to the task. As for beauty bargains, there's £50 off Acqua Di Parma's signatures of the sun magnolia infinita eau de parfum (was £225, now £200, described as elegant and floral. There's an equally impressive deal on the Foreo luna mini 3 (was £168, now £118.30, Teaming silicone with sonic pulsations to clean the skin, it's touted for bringing the skin a healthy glow – and, similar model, the luna 4, was our favourite tried and tested cleansing tool, so this is a brand that you can trust. How we choose the best discount codes To bring you the best discount codes across our carefully selected line-up of shops, we have a crack team of bargain hunters on high alert. From tech and beauty to home appliances and outdoor gear, we'd recommend bookmarking our dedicated deals page to get the latest and best money-saving discount codes. We only ever highlight offers from our tried and tested favourite retailers and brands. Why you can trust us The Independent has been a trusted consumer champion since 1986, reporting on behalf of our readers to find the best deals and discounts. Whether it's discounted designer fashion, regular deals coverage or helping you source the top offers during some of the biggest annual shopping events (think Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and the Boxing Day sales), our team are always looking out for the best ways to save you money on the products worth buying. We only ever select offers on the brands and retailers that we trust.
