Summer can be a long couple of months if you haven’t got the means to support it, especially if all your friends are off having fun. It’s easy to lose track of your finances, then all of a sudden realise you have nothing left in your account before uni starts again. But don’t worry, here’s a useful guide to saving money over the summer.

Keep track of your spending

Subscriptions and contracts mean it’s harder than ever to keep up to date with budgets. Keep your costs down by making sure you keep track of your spending. Stick to a weekly budget, plan some days without shopping, withdraw cash and do your best to not to use your card.

Cut costs, from A to B

Over the summer you’re likely to be catching up with friends you haven’t seen in a while. Research your method of transport and figure out ways to reduce the cost. Maybe share the car journey, look into cut-price student tickets or meet halfway and explore a new town together.

Look for discounts

Take advantage of discounts wherever you can find them. Find out which places offer student rates as you might find discounts apply to products or services you need. Also, look into the student cards that give you discounts at your favourite shops. The NUS Extra card is a good place to start, and there are plenty more out there.  

Shop secondhand

Consider buying vintage for everything from clothes to accessories for your new home. This is a great way to express your unique personal style, with one-of-a-kind items that will make you stand out from the crowd.  

Sell your belongings 

You’ll undoubtedly have a load of stuff you no longer need, so why not clear some space and make money in the process? There are plenty of sites where you can sell your things and you never know what people might pay for something you haven’t used in years. 

Part-time work

The best way of saving money is to earn it. Bar jobs, barista work or stacking shelves are all great part-time jobs over the summer. Bigger companies may have a transfer scheme meaning you can keep your job when you move back to uni. Start sprucing up your CV now.

Festivals on a budget

Keen to go to that festival with all your friends? Why not work while you’re at it? You often get a free ticket while working a pattern of shifts meaning you’re free for a couple of evenings to enjoy the event while still making money. Stick to pot noodles, breakfast bars and cider to keep costs down.

Learn to cook

Cooking with raw ingredients is a lot cheaper than buying ready meals or eating out. Not only that, if you get it right you could be eating the equivalent of a Michelin star meal. OK, maybe not but it’ll almost certainly be better than a microwave meal. 

Explore what’s on your doorstep

The best things in life are free. All you need to do is take a little time to explore the exciting things that are right on your doorstep. The perfect day trip is out there, and it doesn’t have to cost a single penny. 

Whatever you’re planning this summer, we’re sure you’ll have fun before getting back to studying. If you need a place to stay over the summer, we have plenty of excellent vacant rooms that you can stay in. Check out our availability here.