Learning On A Shoe-string: Top Tips For Cheap Student Living

One of the main expenses at university is your accommodation

. Price and quality vary hugely, but there is something out there to suit everyones taste and budget.

UNITE are the UKs leading provider of student accommodation, they offer a wide range of accommodation in 24 cities across the UK, to suit varying budgets and expectations. And because all room prices are inclusive of utility bills, internet access and contents insurance, there are no hidden costs for residents.

If youre on a tight budget, here are some useful tips from UNITE on how to be smart with your cash.

Location - Consider location vs. price carefully. You might feel like youre getting a bargain by opting for a cheaper area, but think about the added cost of travelling to and from uni or the city centre. The North of the country also tends to be cheaper than the South in terms of university accommodation.

Getting around Depending on the location of the accommodation you choose, getting around can be expensive. Weekly or monthly travel cards can shave pounds off your travel expenses. Dont forget to see if there are student discounts - a Student Rail Card will save a third on rail fares.

Utility bills and internet access - Find out if the accommodation provider includes these in the rent price. If not, work out how much it will cost in advance so you can budget accordingly. Make use of price comparison sites to get the best deals

Go green You can implement some simple measures to become more energy efficient and youll notice a saving if you pay monthly utility bills. Try turning your lights off when you leave a room, use off-peak electricity by setting your washing machine to come on at night and only boil as much water as you need.

Get insured - Contents insurance is essential, so check if this is covered by your student accommodation provider. For example, UNITEs prices are inclusive of contents insurance. Always check what the policy covers as often you will need to upgrade the policy to cover personal items such as laptops. Companies such as Endsleigh provide contents insurance specifically for students.

Savvy shopper Consider clubbing together with your flatmates to do food shops as buying in bulk is often cheaper. Dont always go for buy one get one free deals or special offers on multiple items - you could end up paying out for items that go out of date or you just wont use

Simple savings Make sure you sign up for your NUS card as soon as you enrol at your university. It entitles you to lots of student discounts on everything from cinema tickets to money off with retailers including Topshop, Amazon, Play.com

House Proud You dont need to spend lots of money to get your place looking good. Make it your own with throws, cheap plants and photo montages. You might also find some retro gems in your parents attic.

Students can browse, organise viewings, view virtual tours and book rooms online by visiting Unite-Students.com or find out more by calling 0800 783 4213.

by: Nick Hill

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