Student Savers!

Yes - I will assume I know what you're thinking - that even with work and student finance helping (for those if us who are so lucky), there's always that period when you're just flat broke! So here are ten premptive tips to helping you squeeze that money just a little bit further (and if you're eco conscious like me add some brownie points to your conscience too).

1) Cook! The more you cook the better you will become - admittedly you will probably go through a long burnt, sad process before you get to that moment when you can just pick a few things out of your cupboard, go to the shop for a top up, and ta da! And when you do you'll produce something fabulous, edible and a whole lot cheaper than if you ate out or got a takeaway, and will prob end up saving a few pounds on your waist too while we're at it.

2) Shop around. Luton has a lot of Poundlands, 99p stores and just damn cheaper venues for your shopping needs. We've charity shops for the vintage lovers, and even your high street stores seem to always have a sales section. Admittedly I may spend twice as long shopping as the next person, but I know I have twice the money left in my pocket because of it.

3) Use your student card! You'll be surprised how many places don't advertise but have up to 20% off for lovely students like ourselves. Cinema tickets, lunches, high street stores, all add up in keeping you out of the red, and some places (yes, I will mention McDonald's choice of the 99p menu free) won't give you a discount but give you an extra freebie to make it worth the spend.

4) Turn it off. If you're bill aren't all inclusive of utilities, then make sure you're playing your part to turn off lights and heating when not using a room, or set the thermostat on a timer and a little lower and wear some snuggly socks instead. Don't overcharge your phone or electronics as it will cost you not just in bills but can damage battery life span also.

5) Car pool. If you commute to university then take advantage of Green Hub's own car pool connector online, take turns and save fuel, air pollution, and maybe even make a new friend.

6) Lotalty cards. Okay, maybe you shouldn't be as sad as me and have a whole wallet just for loyalty cards, but you'll be surprised how soon points add up. Pennies make pounds to spend in tesco's, subway give you points and additionally free cookies for your birthday, and Matalan gives you exclusive offers with their shop card. The university's own coffee bar on the mezzanine has a loyalty card giving you a free hot drink on your 8th purchase.

7) Save! Okay maybe a little ironic if you trying to keep yourself from the food bank. But putting £20 a month away, or even saving your bronzes or £2 coins. It's a little way to trick yourself into living carefully and then having some money when you really, really need it.

8) Sell and buy online. Amazon and eBay aren't the only places, there are local Facebook groups where you can sell your clothes, gadgets and what not, picking up a few bargains for yourself. Buying second hand doesn't mean wearing old, smelly clothes that are balling, most of the time it's clothes that have been worn one or twice if at all. Some even have the tags still on. And just because it's not edge of fashion doesn't mean you won't get some heads turned for your awesome fashion sense being liberated.

9) Don't be afraid of cheaper brands. Sometimes there really is no difference in the jumper from Primark or Next. Or the pasta from M&S or the Asda brand. But there is often a massive difference in price. Aldi is great for getting the same quality goods but in a less familiar packaging, check it out.

10) Give. All kinds of giving, money, time. Give to charity or a friend in need. You'll see there's always someone who needs something just that little bit more than you do. Give away your old clothes to a charity shop, your pennies to a busker, make a pledge once a month to a cause you believe in. Give one of your 11p noodle packets to the Food Bank trolley on your way out. Help out at a charity shop once a week. University isn't a pause on life, it's you becoming who you want to be. And I'm a genuine believer in karma and what you give away coming back to you.