Living away from home for the first time whilst studying dentistry can be stressful to say the least.But whilst you are settling into your new life at university, you may be feeling uneasy about paying for your rent, food shops and utility bills for the next five years-(not to mention all them dental socials). If this is the case, continue reading as you will not want to miss out on these top money saving tips!

1. Create a budget

If you don’t create a budget for yourself, how else are you going to know how much you can afford to spend each week? Start by calculating how much money you have savings for University as well as any other income you are expecting during the year and offset this with your expenditures. Remember to include any phone bills, memberships and subscriptions too. Be honest with yourself and stay accountable for any impulse purchases you make during the week and if at the end you find that your outgoings are more than your income, you may want to start cutting down on your spending.

Top tip: Creating a spreadsheet can help you keep on track!

2. Cook at home

You’d be surprised how many of them meal deals are costing you each week if you totted up the numbers. Being that extra bit organised and making your pack lunches will lead to a little saving overtime. Although it might not seem like much, in the long run this might be the difference between being able to make that final rent payment of the year. Time to stock up with the essentials and get experimenting in the kitchen! If you are living in a flat share, see if your house mates are interested in cooking meals with you as splitting the costs on ingredients may work out cheaper for the both of you. You can find plenty recipes online if you’re lacking inspiration or fancy trying something new. Not enough hours in the day? Rather than defaulting to a takeaway, consider batch cooking and freezing meals in preparation for the busier weeks as this can be a real money saver.

Top tip: If time is tight in the mornings, make your lunch the night before.

3. Consider a part time job or working freelance

When you have had a full day of clinic the last thing you will want to do is head out to your part time job at a restaurant (unless you’re full of beans!). So, it may be time to think outside the box a little.Think about what skills you possess or work experiences you have that may allow you to work remotely. There are lots of platforms out there that allow you to connect with others and share skills. For example, dental students usually have a strong background in science, so you could consider using your knowledge to teach other students sitting their GCSE’s and A levels remotely. Or if you are a talented writer, you could work freelance and contribute to article columns in your spare time. Find out what gives you an edge and work with it.Top tip: Having a part-time job will not only benefit your bank balance, but also make you stand out to employers.

4. Bag all the student discounts and offers

First things first, make sure you get yourself down to fresher fair and grab all the freebies and offers (even if you’re not a fresher!) You’ll be amazed by all the offers and discounts there. If you have been fortunate enough to purchase a new laptop for university, you may want to hold off from buying software as universities often provide essentials free of charge following your assignment of an academic email address. So, before you start setting up your device be sure to check with your university if this offer is applicable to you.And whether you’re out treating yourself to a bit of retail therapy or having a meal out with your new course mates, it’s fairly common for high street shops and restaurants to offer student discounts, especially during your first couple months at university. Many now accept student university ID cards when applying offers so always check before you pay (and more importantly, remember to take your ID card with you!).

Top tip: Check your bank to see if they can convert your current account to a student account for an extended overdraft.

5. Bursaries and scholarships

Finally, it’s worth checking with your university’s finance department to see if you qualify for any of the bursaries and scholarships they have available. These are often open to applicants during the summer before the academic begins, but some can also pop up mid-year so it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled.If you find yourself in financial hardship at any point during your course, many universities offer emergency funds of up to a couple hundred pounds when provided with evidence in the form of bank statements. Therefore, if you’re experiencing a bit of financial pressure despite sticking to your budget, the universities often have your back. You just need to ask.

6. Treat yourself!

So, you’ve been shopping at Aldi every week, cooking all your meals from home and working a part-time job. Treating yourself from time to time is definitely a good idea, especially if you need help staying motivated on your budget long-term. So if you’ve been having a rough time recently (and let’s face it, we all have them days in dental school), grabbing yourself a little pick-me-up every now and then won’t hurt!

By Stephanie Rosewarne