Getting on top of your finances can help you feel more in control of your money.

Here’s 6 tips on how your money can stretch and go further:

1. Look at where your money’s going

Look at where you’re spending your money and try breaking this down into your ‘needs’ and ‘wants’.

Your ‘needs’ might include your rent and bills, while your ‘wants’ could include eating out or clothes shopping. This can help you see where your money is going and where you could potentially make changes.

Use our budget planner tool to help you break down your spending.

Remember – you don’t have to stop your ‘wants’ altogether. A budget just helps you prioritise your spending a little more. You may find you feel less guilty about spending on ‘wants’ if you’ve budgeted a bit of money for them.

2. Shop wisely

Before you hit the supermarket, try planning your meals for the week and check what items you already have. Not only will this help you create your shopping list, but it may help reduce food waste.

It’s also a good idea to set yourself a budget for your shop and resist temptation to splurge at the checkout.

3. Seek out the best deals

If you’re in shared accommodation, why not start a kitty for things like milk, toilet roll and butter? You may be able to make the most of any bulk-buy deals or eat together and split the cost of ingredients, for example.

Being a student means you won’t need to pay Council Tax and may get discounts on things like broadband or phone contracts. If you’re not happy with your current rates, it’s worth shopping around.

Watching what you spend doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun. Make the most of loyalty cards, discount vouchers and 2-for-1 deals where you can.

4. Use your freezer

If you’re going to be busy studying, try batch cooking meals and freezing them. You can then defrost one quickly when you need it, without having to pay for a takeaway.

5. Stay on top of your money

Awareness is key when it comes to your spending and having an overview of your account will let you know what’s going on. Getting to grips with some of the key terms you may see when checking your account can help you stay in control of your finances. Check your account statements regularly as it would give you a clear insight of how your money is being spent and this could help you decide on things to cut off.

6. Ask for help

If you’re struggling to stay on top of your finances or you’re feeling anxious about money, speaking to someone you trust can help. Most schools have a student union that gives financial support.

They may be able to help you with your budgeting or support you in finding assistance if you need it. Starting the conversation can feel difficult, but it can help make things a little easier.