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Money hacks for students: how to save money while enjoying student life

Drinks, parties, sports, eating out with friends or housemates... As students, we’re busy enough besides studying. Unfortunately, all those activities, memberships and groceries can add up to quite a lot of money. Don't worry, with a few smart choices you can save plenty. Here are my tips!

Photo of Marit
Marit
Three students come out of the campus supermarket with groceries.

Cook in batches

An easy way to save money is to cook multiple portions of dinner at once. Larger packages are relatively cheap in the supermarket, and you also avoid having leftover vegetables or sauces, which might spoil in the fridge. So, eat with your housemates regularly, or invite your friends over. Do you sometimes eat alone? Then freeze the extra portions for later!

Plan your meals

Okay, meal planning might sound boring, but it can be very useful. At the start of the week, decide what you want to eat that week and what other groceries you need, and then make a shopping list. Buying everything in one go prevents impulse purchases and saves money! Plus, it saves time since you won’t need to go to the supermarket every day: a win-win situation!

Make smart choices

There are plenty of small adjustments you can make in the supermarket to save money:

Go thrifting

Whether it's clothes, books, furniture, or decorations, you can find a lot of great items at the thrift stores in Enschede, which saves a lot of money. Besides, I really enjoy thrifting; it’s a fun challenge to find hidden gems. Prefer to stay at home? Then, check out online platforms like Marktplaats, Vinted, and Facebook Marketplace.

Cancel unnecessary subscriptions

From gym memberships to streaming subscriptions, the costs can add up considerably. Therefore, take a critical look at which subscriptions you actually use and cancel the rest. Can't live without your Netflix or Spotify Premium account? Then share a subscription with friends or housemates by buying a family package, for instance. It will still be a lot cheaper that way!

Make use of student discounts

Did you know that as a student you can get discounts in many places? With your student card, you can often save money at the cinema, hairdresser or a restaurant, for example. Therefore, always check for discounts before making a purchase! As a student in Enschede, you can even apply for an extra discount card for free, so you can get deals at various local spots!

Bring your own food and coffee mug

With so many restaurants on campus, it is of course very tempting to buy a nice lunch. However, if you do this several times a week, it can add up considerably. The same goes for coffee from the vending machine: one cup may seem like nothing, but if you drink two a day, five days a week, it quickly becomes a hefty expense. The solution? Bring your own lunch more often and use a reusable coffee cup. At most study associations, you can even fill them up for free. You will see that you save a lot in the long run!

Save on energy bills

You can save a lot on your energy bills as well. It may sound obvious, but by taking shorter showers, turning off lights when you are not at home, turning the heating down one degree and turning it off at night and when you are not at home, you can save dozens of euros annually. Moreover, make sure you keep all doors closed to prevent heat from leaking out, especially in draughty student houses. Unplugging plugs and chargers, hanging your laundry instead of putting it in the dryer and switching to LED bulbs are small tricks that can make a big difference.

Buy clothes in the wrong season

My last piece of advice! Try buying your clothes in the ‘wrong’ season more often. Items are often on sale at the end of a season. Need a new winter coat? Then check the shops in early spring and you will probably find a great deal!

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