So it is time for many students to start or go back to University! How I am jealous of them, going to their student accommodation, student nights and one of those free student bags with a pot noodle. Come on, own up, you must have got one???!!!
Okay, so my latest blog is about how to survive as a student but we can ALL do the same thing whether we work or not. I will add other work arounds that us non-students can do to get the same discounts, benefits and freebies.
I think I will talk about a couple of ways to save money, as this is only my second blog …I don’t wanna overdo it now do I? ha ha
Text Books:
I recommend not buying any text books straight away, find out if any one is selling them cheaper (check out prices) or the cheapest way has to be go to the library. You just need to be clever and work out when you should book it as others may request if back off you if you renewed it a lot. Check out the rules of using the uni library. Let’s hope they have many copies of that book!! Check online if anyone is selling their used books…do check which edition it is…so you don’t miss out on any new additional info added in the latest addition!
Student Discounts:
There are so many ways to save money when shopping or eating out. Make sure you do get the NUS Card and the UNiDAYS card every year. These cards give you many discounts in restaurants and stores.
For example, UNiDAYS will give you 20% off at New Look stores, 10% off at Schuh, 25% off MyProtein and more.
The NUS card gives 25% off Odeon cinema tickets, up to 40% off at Zizzi’s, and no joining fee with The GYM…the list goes on.
Okay, if you are not a uni student, which I am no longer after many years…but there is a way you can apply for an NUS Card which would cost about £12 for a year. What I did was apply for an online course in Photography, they emailed me and said I could apply for an NUS card so I have now renewed it for the second year!! If you can find the free online courses at Shaw Academy. https://www.gratisfaction.co.uk/cooking/free-online-cooking-course/
Loyalty Cards and apps:
Loyalty cards are a great way of saving money if you regularly visit the same stores. So if you shop in Tesco or Sainsbury’s sign up for their points cards, making sure you swipe it when paying. So many stores like Paperchase, Subway, Boots etc have loyalty cards, I recommend looking out for special events like double or triple points so you fast track your way to more points! If you have an NUS card, you also get student discounts at places like Paperchase and Superdrug. So flash your card at all times!
My favourite loyalty cards are ones from coffee shops, where they stamp the card every time you buy something. If you are lucky they might stamp more than once on one spend…result! Fast track your way to a free drink. Remember to look at discarded McDonalds coffee cups, they have a little sticker on, which you peel off and collect to claim a free hot drink.
If you don’t want to carry lots of Loyalty cards around, there are apps which work the same way, for example, Subway have an app where you can view offers, so much more handy to keep on top of offers like double points. Nando’s is another great app, which you use every time you order and pay for a meal there, and collect chillies to have free dishes including a whole chicken! Now that’s what I call a cheeky Nando’s!!!
As part of collecting loyalty points, there is a way of gaining points without having to spend money or very little cost! How? Well, there is a method called ‘Wombling’, this is when you pick up receipts from the floor, self service checkouts, or from trolleys. If the receipt has no loyalty card showing on it, usually at the bottom, then you could take the receipt to the customer services at the relevant store like Tesco who can add the points to your card. I recommend that you don’t say you found the receipt, but that you forgot your card last time. My boyfriend wombles a lot, to gain points, so it works! I was recently introduced to an app called ‘Receipt Hog’ where you scan receipts from shops, restaurants and supermarkets to it to gain ‘coins’. It can give you chance to ‘spin’ and win more coins. Once you have amalgamated enough coins, you can cash them out for Amazon vouchers or get it paid into your PayPal account. You can use those ‘wombled’ receipts here as you don’t verify your purchases likes some cash back apps. If you want to give it ago…use promo code ‘nift1188’ to get some free spins!
Mailing Lists:
This is where you sign up to get either emails or information through the post. Why? Well, nearly all companies, restaurants and bars have a mailing list, to which they send out offers and vouchers for discounted meals or free drinks. Why not set up a separate email account just for signing up to mailing lists. Places like Pizza Express, Bella Italia, Paperchase and Superdrug email out vouchers and offers, so always check their emails before going in. By planning your visits, you can save yourself money, by ensuring you have a voucher that maybe 30-50% off! There are places like Ed’s Diner who send out vouchers for you to use in the month of your birthday, and even now I have seen ‘Happy Half Birthday’ vouchers for 6 months after your birthday!!!
This also applies to following FaceBook or Twitter pages as they do upload offers there too. As a freebie hunter, I have found things like skincare samples using social media. Therefore, you can save yourself money on toiletries, by applying for samples or showing a voucher at a Boots counter. Why have Tesco- own brand moisturiser when you could be trying one from Origins or Estee Lauder! Or you could gather lots of free samples up as gifts for your mum or favourite sister…that will save you some money for sure!!!