Student discounts

Student discounts have to be the biggest perk of uni, so ask for them everywhere - don't be shy to ask at the till, the worst anyone can say is no. You'd be surprised at the amount of places that do offer a discount and, even if it's as small as 5%, it all adds up.

Totum card

Whilst your SHU Card will get you student discounts in many places, there are other ways to get even more. Totum is a student discount card provided by NUS, which you can purchase for a small price. Discounts often go further than your SHU Card and can be valid in more places. If you're a third year, you can even buy a 3 year card for just £24.99 which will give you student discount for several years after you finish uni!

Apps

If you want more discounts but don't want to pay for a Totum card, you can use apps like Unidays and Student Beans. Simply verify you're a student using your student email, then you're free to gain access to discounts both online and on the high street.

Save the Student

Save the Student provides free, impartial advice to students on how to make money go further. They give up-to-date information on the latest shopping deals and discounts, as well as resources, blog posts, and articles on how to save money in all areas of student life.

If you're shopping online and the retailer doesn't offer a student discount, try something as simple as Googling 'discount codes' for wherever you're shopping. There isn't always a discount available but, on the occasions there are, it's worth it to save a few quid. This tends to work with things like coach tickets and hotels too.

Shop pre-loved

Where possible, avoid buying new. You can often find pre-loved items for a fraction of the price on ;community selling sites such as Marketplace and eBay.

Similarly, check out pre-loved clothing platforms like Vinted and Depop before hitting the high street or buying from online brands. You can often grab a bargain and even stop unwanted items going to landfill.

Even better, you could get a whole new outfit for free via our clothing swap (part of the Cost of Living Shop). Simply bring items of clothing you no longer want and either swap for another item or get a stamp on your loyalty card to use another time.

Phone network incentives

If you're with one of the major phone network providers, it's likely there will be a rewards app for you. Three+, O2 Priority, Vodafone VeryMe, and Voxi Drops all offer rewards that give you access to weekly freebies, discounts, and priority booking for events. Regular freebies often include coffees, pastries, and even beer!

If you're with EE, Giffgaff, O2, Three, or Vodafone, you can access Airtime and earn cashback to use against your phone bill. Simply download the app, link your payment card, and earn money as you pay for everyday items.

Cashback

An easy way to make money as you spend is by using one of many cashback sites or apps. Sites like TopCashBack and Quidco are easy to use; just search for the retailer you want to buy from, follow the link to the retailer's website, and then continue to shop as normal. The provider tracks the purchase, registers the cashback, and adds the cashback into your account once approved by the retailer. You can then request to withdraw your cashback and have it sent to your bank account.

Some of the best cashback rates tend to be for bigger purchases such as hotels, travel, and insurance, but there are plenty available for smaller purchases too. It's worth noting that different providers have different cashback amounts for different retailers, so it's always worth comparing to see where has the best deal.

Loyalty schemes

Supermarket loyalty schemes can also be an easy way to make money as you spend, and sometimes even get freebies. Asda Rewards, Tesco Clubcard, Lidl Plus, My Morrisons, M&S Sparks, and Nectar all offer different rewards for shopping at their stores, ranging from cashback to freebies and even wine tasting!