大象传媒

According to a recent Royal Bank of Scotland survey, a student鈥檚 biggest outgoing is their rent. At 拢78 a week, that鈥檚 more than they spend on going out, eating and transport combined. That鈥檚 no surprise, but with a year in Cambridge costing some 拢7,000, it鈥檚 increasingly important for students to manage their money.

Ama Uzowuru is Vice-President of Welfare at the National Union of Students (NUS). She has some simple advice for freshers: "Budget. Take an average month and list all your outgoings and incomings. If your outgoings exceed your incomings then you need to cut back鈥�.

The good news is that it鈥檚 possible to save almost everywhere, even on health. If you get an HC1 form from the local doctor, you can get means tested discounts from the NHS. With the average student spending nearly 拢50 a month on their phone bill, she warns us not to get 鈥渂ought over by gimmicks鈥� and to compare 鈥渓ike with like鈥�.

Another place to splash the cash

With university costing more than ever, students are having to work harder in their spare time. For the first time, Cambridge鈥檚 students are earning over 拢100 a week. Frankie Whiffen is President of Anglia Ruskin's Student Union. He says 鈥渟tudents are the richest they have ever been; however they will also leave with the most amount of debt鈥�

Perhaps there鈥檚 no time left for students to enjoy themselves now. Students spend more on books and course materials than they do going out. Far from being layabouts, today鈥檚 undergrads seem to be on a mission. Frankie says "gone are the days when students lived on a liquid diet", though admits some surprise at the findings.

The survey produced one more unexpected result. Our scholars spend over a tenner a week getting around. Given the city鈥檚 compact layout, and the popularity of cycling, where does the money go? Frankie reminds us not only do some people commute but also that the "Park and Ride does not offer student concessions".

鈥o what of his own finances? He says his "personal weakness is probably sandwiches", and estimates he spends 拢60 a month on the seemingly innocuous snack. It's a timely reminder that if you watch the pennies, the pounds will take care of themselves.