Personal Finance Expert shares ways to bag a bargain on university essentials
    Personal Finance Expert shares ways to bag a bargain on university essentials
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    Personal Finance Expert shares ways to bag a bargain on university essentials

    13 September 2024

    There’s no denying that higher education comes at a price. From course fees and materials to food shopping and nights out, adjusting to your new financial situation can take time. The good news is that there are a number of ways to keep costs down when purchasing your pre-uni essentials. The more money you save on the boring basics like pots and pans, the more you’ll have to put towards those epic Freshers’ outings!
    Dan Whittaker, a personal finance expert at VivaMoney.co.uk, shares six tips to help you save money on university essentials

    1. Hit the high street

    'When looking for low-cost uni must-haves, budget-friendly high-street heroes such as The Range, Dunelm, and Home Bargains are fantastic options,’ Dan says. ‘We’ve priced up some sleeping essentials at Home Bargains to give you an idea of what you could expect to spend.
    Item
    		Cost*
    10.5 tog single duvet
    		£8.99
    X2 medium support pillows
    		£5.99
    Plain single fitted bed sheet
    		£4.99
    Plain single duvet & pillowcase set 
    		£8.99
    Total£28.96  
    'Places like The Works and pound stores are great for affordable stationery needs. At our time of research in September 2024*, we found a set of highlighters and a packet of sticky notes for £1 each, and an A5 notebook for £1.50, all from The Works."

    2. Shop second-hand

    ‘If you need to furnish your whole pad, you might consider making second-hand sites such as eBay and Vinted your first port of call for reasonably priced homeware. Unsure about pre-loved items? Don’t worry, you can refine your search by condition and show results for brand-new items only. 

    ‘Remember to check your local community and Facebook Marketplace pages too; people often give away unwanted furniture for free.  

    ‘Shopping second-hand is also something to consider when purchasing books for your course. Be sure to head straight to eBay as soon as you get your course reading list; buying everything brand-new could really set you back financially.’ 

    3. Accept hand-me-downs

    ‘Got an older sister, brother, or cousin who’s just graduated? Don’t be afraid to ask if they have anything that they wouldn’t mind donating to you. If they’re back living at home, they’re unlikely to still need things like laundry baskets and hangers, and the chances are that they’ll only be thrown away. Making use of any hand-me-downs could really cut the cost of your haul.’

    4. Use your student card

    ‘You’ll usually be able to apply for a student discount card once you’ve enrolled at university; UNiDAYS, TOTUM, and Student Beans are popular choices. Have a browse through the websites and apps of your chosen card to see which deals and discounts you’re entitled to. While it’s important to remember that deals regularly change, during our time of writing in September 2024, students can grab up to 40% off HP laptops and equipment through UNiDAYS.’

    5. Keep an eye out for “back to university” promotions 

    ‘Some shops and supermarkets run special “back to university” events.  For example, from the 5th – 11th September 2024, Asda offered up to 57% savings on several university staples, including air fryers and pillows. You should bear in mind that these sorts of offers tend to be very popular, so grab them while you can! Keep an eye on supermarket social media channels to keep up to date with the latest promotions.’

    6. Check out the FreePrints app

    ‘Planning to decorate your new space with some little reminders of home? Whether it’s pics of your besties, grandparents, or dog, you can order up to 45 6x4-sized free photos from the FreePrints app every month. You’ll just need to pay postage, which is never more than £3.99.’
    -ENDS- 

    *Prices correct as of 6th September 2024. 

    Dan has worked in the consumer finance sector for over a decade in a number of roles, including developing and maintaining commercial partnerships, marketing, and digital development.

    Dan has strong market and product knowledge across a range of consumer finance products including, but not limited to, credit cards, savings, loans, and mortgages. 

    About Viva Money 

    Viva Money is not a lender but is a fully regulated and authorised credit broker. Viva Money is a registered Trading Name of Digitonomy Limited, Registered in England and Wales (Company number 08385135), Registered Office; Steam Mill Business Centre, Steam Mill Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5AN. Digitonomy Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference number: 690249. Licenced by the Information Commissioners Office, (registration number ZA007309)