Tips
We have put together the following tips to help you to manage your money. We've also included a number of money saving tips to help you on your way.
Spend time planning and preparing a budget
Preparing a budget plan will help you to avoid overspending and will also help you to plan for the future.
Keep track of your spending
Keeping a daily track of the items you buy will give you an idea of how much money you are actually spending and will assist you with setting a realistic budget. Use the daily tracker 
to manage your budget.
Maximise your income
Make sure you are in receipt of the full level of student financial support available to you. If you have any questions about student funding, you can email the Student Financial Support Service or telephone +44 (0)115 848 2494.
Get a part-time job
Employment will not only boost your income, but you will be gaining invaluable experience and it is good for your CV too. Check out the Students' Union Job Shop for details of part-time jobs.
Reduce your expenditure
- Try to avoid purchasing unnecessary items and if you are paying for a service you are not using, cancel it.
- Don't smoke, obviously. It's bad for your health and is very expensive. A 10-a-day habit will cost you £80 a month, which is £1,000 a year.
- Full-time students in the vast majority of cases, are exempt from paying Council Tax. You will need to obtain a Council Tax exemption certificate to verify your student status.
- Sort out your TV licence with your housemates - you only need one for the household, not one each.
- Set up standing orders or direct debits. This can help you to plan and make consistent regular payments without worrying about missing payment dates.
- Watch out for those credit cards. If you need to borrow money, then only use interest-free overdraft facilities. High-street banks are all keen to have your business but don't be fooled by the free gifts on offer. Look at the level of support each bank offers instead. If you were to have a credit/store card, unless you were able to pay off the outstanding balance in full each month, avoid using them. The interest charged can be astronomical and you could find yourself in a position where you cannot afford to meet the monthly payments.
Watch out for scams
Scams are schemes to con you out of your money. They usually come via a telephone call, an email or by post. Scammers will try to obtain your personal information to open bank accounts, get credit cards and loans, claim state benefits and create documents such as passports and driving licenses in your name. These criminals are clever, and all kinds of people from all walks of life get duped. You can find tips on how to avoid fraud on the following websites:
Plan ahead
Plan for extra expenditure such as start of term costs, special occasions and family birthdays. This will help you avoid overspending or using credit.
Get a discount
Look out for deals, such as special offer haircuts and take advantage of money off vouchers, bogofs (buy one get one free offers) and student deals in restaurants or at the cinema. Use your NUS card to get money off at your favourite retailers. National and regional offers are listed on student-focused discount websites like Student Beans.
Save on travel
Research different deals you can get for travelling e.g. student rail cards and bus passes. If you intend to do a lot of travelling it can work out cheaper to invest in one or both.
From September 2010, Ucycle Nottingham 
, with the help of Nottingham Trent University and Nottingham Trent Students' Union are launching a bike hire scheme for NTU students. A year-long bike lease is £35 (plus a refundable £100 deposit). All bikes are ready to ride, and come complete with lights, lock, mudguards, rack and servicing. You will also receive a free mini tool, a free inner tube, a 10% discount voucher to use at Evans Cycles, access to a free maintenance class run by Evans and free RideWise cycle training. For more details visit the Students' Union website.
Turn unwanted items into cash
Don't buy every book on the reading lists, check which books will be essential and use the library as much as possible. There are always second hand books being sold in or around the University by people who have finished the course you are studying.
Amazon and eBay are great places to buy and sell used textbooks. Also, check out the campus notice boards and bookshops.
Get help
The Student Financial Support Advisers at NTU are available throughout the year to provide guidance and assistance to students in need of financial advice. Take advantage of them - the advice will be free and they can help you manage your money better. You can email the Student Financial Support Service or telephone them on +44 0115 848 2494.
Seek advice and guidance on money management websites:
