Saturday, February 25, 2012

Learning on a Shoe-String: Top Tips for Cheap Student Living.

YORK, England, September 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the biggest challenges you'll face as a student is money management. Staying in control of your finances at university will allow you to enjoy all the other aspects of student life. It will also stand you in good stead for the future too.

One of the main expenses at university is your accommodation. Price and quality vary hugely, but there is something out there to suit everyone's taste and budget.

UNITE are the UK's leading provider of student accommodation at http://www.unite-students.com. They offer a wide range of accommodation in 24 cities across the UK, to suit varying budgets and expectations. And because all room prices are inclusive of utility bills, internet access and contents insurance, there are no hidden costs for residents.

If you're on a tight budget, here are some useful tips from UNITE on how to be smart with your cash.

 - Location - Consider location vs. price carefully. You mightfeel like       you're getting a bargain by opting for a cheaper area, butthink about      the added cost of travelling to and from uni or the city centre (      http://www.unite-students.com/student-accommodation-UK?)    - Getting around - Depending on the location of the accommodationyou      choose, getting around can be expensive. Weekly or monthly travelcards      can shave pounds off your travel expenses. Don't forget tosee if there      are student discounts - a Student Rail Card will save a third onrail      fares.    - Utility bills and internet access - Find out if the accommodation      provider includes these in the rent price. If not, work out howmuch it      will cost in advance so you can budget accordingly. Make use ofprice      comparison sites to get the best deals (      http://www.unite-students.com/clearing/index.html)    - Go green - You can implement some simple measures to become moreenergy      efficient - and you'll notice a saving if you pay monthlyutility      bills. Try turning your lights off when you leave a room, useoff-peak      electricity by setting your washing machine to come on at nightand      only boil as much water as you need.    - Get insured - Contents insurance is essential, so check if this is      covered by your accommodation provider. For example, UNITE'sprices are      inclusive of contents insurance. Always check what the policycovers as      often you will need to upgrade the policy to cover personal itemssuch      as laptops. Companies such as Endsleigh provide contents insurance      specifically for students.    - Savvy shopper - Consider clubbing together with your flatmates todo      food shops as buying in bulk is often cheaper. Don't alwaysgo for 'buy      one get one free' deals or special offers on multiple items -you could      end up paying out for items that go out of date or you justwon't use      (http://www.unite-students.com/student-homes/unite-partners)    - Simple savings - Make sure you sign up for your NUS card as soonas you      enrol at your university. It entitles you to lots of discounts on      everything from cinema tickets to money off with retailersincluding      Topshop, Amazon, Play.com    - House Proud - You don't need to spend lots of money to getyour place      looking good. Make it your own with throws, cheap plants and photo      montages. You might also find some retro gems in yourparent's attic. 

Students can browse, organise viewings, view virtual tours and book rooms online by visiting http://www.unite-students.com or find out more by calling +44-(0)800-783-4213.

SOURCE Unite-Students.com

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