National Student Money Week 2023

Thank you to everyone who took part in our National Student Money Week 2023. It was a great opportunity to highlight 15 ways we're supporting you with the cost of living - whether that's through saving money, making money, connecting with each other over a free hot drink, and accessing additional resources.

Plus, many of you engaged with some of the pop-events on campus - including an opportunity to speak to the Student Money Adviser and guess the price of non branded vs branded items in the shopping basket challenge.

Our Student Support Advisers also asked you for your budgeting tips when it comes to food shopping. So, here are some highlights:

• Cook from fresh and shop around
• Try not to stick to branded items
• Make a list of your essentials
• Buy bulk tea and coffee
• Reduced food products after 6
• Write a checklist each month to help stay organised when it comes to your shopping
• Never shop on an empty stomach
• Buy more of what you need, not what you want

Managing your finances

This next section has been written by the Student Money Adviser.

Financial wellbeing is important so that you feel secure and in control of your finances. Taking some time to capture your income and outgoings will help you to manage your money.

You could start by understanding your budget through budget planner tools. Here you can work out what your outgoings might be (such as accommodation, food, mobile contract, utilities) and what you have left over to spend or save. Having a budget may highlight where you might be able to cut costs and save money. You can get started today with one of these free online tools:  

• To get your spending breakdown, you can use the Money Helpers' budget planner. 
• Save the student also have a really useful budgeting planner spreadsheet and have written an article to help you get the most out of it. 

There are also plenty of money saving tips to help you cut costs and spend less. Here are a few that you can try:

• Use cash so you only have with you what you have available to spend.
• Challenge yourself to save by trying a ‘no spend weekend’. Go for walks, have a film/board game night, find a free museum, and use up any leftover food from the week.
• Split your outgoing costs by what you need and what you want.

And don't forget, if you need any additional financial support we're here for you. As the Student Money Advisor I can:

• Help you to understand and manage your existing bank accounts.
• Support opening/changing/switching accounts.
• Discuss different payment types so you can have more control.
• Assist with dealing with debt.
• Credit score – what is it & how can you take care of it/improve it.
• Savings options – make your money work as hard as it can for you.

Living in the community: Housing Hub

The University and Christ Church Students' Union have been working together in partnership on a new initiative to help those of you currently living in the local community.

If you are living in our accommodation or in privately rented accommodation in the local community the Housing Hub is here to provide:

• Friendly support and advice for any issues you are experiencing with housemates, landlords, estate agents or neighbours
• Money advice and household budgeting tips
• Student-to-Student mediation service for talking through issues amongst housemates
• Information on financial support and bursaries

Visit us in Tea & Toasty between 12pm – 2pm on the last Thursday of every month. The first one will be held on Thursday 27^th April, 12pm – 2pm, in Tea & Toasty (next to The Lounge). If you need support now or have any questions, you can email community.liaison@canterbury.ac.uk. 

Are you private renting? Your bills are likely to be one of your highest outgoings each month, and you might be feeling the strain of this due to the cost of living. Here is some advice and support to help you during this time - from your landlord's responsibilities to Help for Households, and organising your gas and electric to managing damp and mould.

Save money with the UPay App

Access a range of discounts and offers at our campus outlets via UPay – the University's Catering Department loyalty app. Simply download the app to your phone to access exclusive deals, offers, free food, and loyalty rewards such as:

• Loyalty offers- reward coins on our most popular items including hot drinks and our 5-item breakfast.
• U-Pay We Pay Scheme- for every £10 you upload into the app we give you £2 in your UPay purse.
• Hot drink tokens- pre-purchase your hot drinks in various multiples to make savings.
• U-don’t pay- students and staff who opt in to push notifications get notified when free food is available in our outlets that would otherwise go to waste.

Money Mules

Money mules are people who act as intermediaries receiving and moving money for criminals and criminal organisations. Even if the money mule is not involved in the fraud or crime which generates the money, they’re acting illegally by laundering the funds and have played a role in the completion of the crime. This means you can be prosecuted. 

There are plenty of ways to protect yourself - whether that's being aware, not signing up for opportunities without doing some proper research, not accepting messaging requests from people you don't know, and not sharing bank/ personal details with people you don't trust. 

You can find out more information, including relevant support, by reading this article on not being a money mule victim. 

Postgraduate Research Scholarships

Thinking of studying a Postgraduate Research degree? Then there are a range of scholarships that you may be eligible to apply for, depending on your chosen research area.

We're here for you

If you need some guidance, or experience any issues with finances or living costs, our Student Support Advisers can offer advice and support on:

• funding for full and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses
• university bursaries and scholarships
• applying for hardship funds including digital poverty hardship support
• assistance available in the local community

They can also offer advice on budgeting and money management (including student banking) and ideas for saving. Getting early financial advice can help put you on the right track and give you peace of mind - so get in touch with our friendly advisers or come for a chat at one of our face-to-face or virtual drop-in.