This great article was taken from a british site, so please dont mind the pounds and pennies The information is universal. Please enjoy.

Seeing as there was a lot of disagreement about PowerSymphonia's Money Saving Tips, I decided to start a new thread that we can all contribute to, and hopefully build a concise list about ways to keep hold of your pennies at uni. If we get enough, I might split them into sections
Thus, I present to you; Tips.

Shopping

Think about where you shop; Do you need to buy things at the most expensive shops? Shops such as Poundland, InStore and Home Bargains, as well as Lidls often sell named brands at much lower prices.

Think about what you need to buy; Make a list and stick to it. However, if you see something on offer and it works out cheaper, get that. (For example, if your normal washing powder is 99p, but you can get a different brand for £1.25 and buy-one-get-one-free, get that!). Also, don't go shopping when you're hungry!

Think about how long your food will last. The family sized big tub of tomato cooking sacue might seem like a good idea now, but will you use it all before it needs binning?

Do you need named brands? A lot of supermarkets offer own-brand food at much less, and the taste isn't massively different. However, please consider the value; a few pence more at one supermarket could mean the world of difference in taste!!

Check for reductions. Many shops have reduced bargain baskets just because an item was part of a multi-pack or has a dent. Equally, many stores reduce fresh foods that can be frozen (Meats, pizzas etc) half an hour before closing, so you can stock up a lot cheaper.

Buy frozen, not fresh, and buy loose if you only need a few bits and bobs, else you'll end up throwing half a packet away.

Stock up with basics when they're cheapest so you don't end up running down to Tesco Express, where they often cost more!

Consider the meat you buy; Does the vegetarian option work out cheaper?

Cooking and Keeping Food

Learn to cook. Learn to cook some basic meals. The ingrediants work out cheaper than ready meals and you know what's in it!

Share your Food; Cook large amounts and freeze it to share over a few ays, or cook a big meal to share between housemates. Also, buy big packs of fruit and share it between you all.

Take pack lunches into uni. They're cheaper than buying food there (and you're guarentee to get what you want!)

Prepare your own cookbook. Don't spend money on a recipe book full of recipes you likely won't use. Get a notebook and get your mum to tell you how to cook all your favourite meals - Or even pick up the Sainsburies recipe cards! You can also get loads of recipes online, or from TSR itself!!

Make your own drinks by experimenting with different sweets in your favourite spirits such as vodka. (It also helps to hie the taste of cheaper vodka!)

Money Saving around the Home/Campus

Fill your washing machine Make sure you have enough underwear to keep you going until you can fill up a washing machine with washing, and take big things like towels and bedsheets home to wash.

Consider Handwashing instead of using the laundrette. It can leave your clothes in much better condition.

Phone calls should be made using only if you have inclusive minutes. Otherwise, get someone else to call you - Particularly parents, whose landline might have free evening/weekend calls!

Check what you need before you go, so you can get it at home rather than paying aty an overpriced union shop.

Drink before you go. Think about it; It costs less to drink at home, so have a goo few pre-games first and then buy one or two drinks to keep you going while you're out!

Keep cheap snack food, such as dried fruit or ice lollies, in to kick those cravings rather than going down the chippy!

Getting More Money/Saving Money

Think about your freebies. Think about what you will use to get around and get a railcard with a bank account if that's the way you'll travel. Look for other freebies out and about too - I often get things like deoderant for free when they're giving away them in the street, and they fit perfectly in your bag.

Use cashback sites. While the online shopping revolution gives no signs of stopping, other sites are offering cashback on purchases on these sites. For example, you can get 4% of all your shopping back from comet when you buy through Quidco. It's free money for things you would be buying anyway, and it does add up.

Use Loyalty cards such as Boots Advantage Card, Tescos Clubcard and Nectar cards. You can earn some big rewards and like cashback sites, you're getting something for nothing. Equally, they give out some good offers like free eye tests.

Think about how you need to travel. Particularly in London. Bus is cheaper than tube, and walking is free!!

*UPDATED*Save your pennies. Grab a jar and stick your shrapnal in; Pennies, two pennies and 5 penny coins. Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves. You can also stick them into a Coinstar machine (At most supermarkets) and get your money back as a voucher to use in that store! (Please note; There is a small fee for this service that comes out of the money you put in)

Use charity shops as they're often lots cheaper, and you can get good vintage stuff! They're also really useful for textbooks - Just be aware that if you get an older edition, you may need to do an extra little bit of reading!

Stick to your budgets! Duh!

Fill in a HC1 form to save you money with your prescriptions.

Book travel in advance and use your railcard to save you money. Also, if you book far enough in advance you can get coach fares for £1 with National Express for a lot of routes.

Consider your actions - Do you really need to go out, or could you save that money for a better night out?

Feel free to add more.