Student money forum Follow our tips to help you make the most of your finances in the year ahead. Course materials Try to borrow books at the library. You can also buy second-hand ones , as older students are often willing to sell their old books. Food Cook large amounts of food at a time , and freeze what you don’t eat to prevent food from being wasted. Take a packed lunch to college every day-it's cheaper than eating out. Clothes Try organizing clothes-swapping parties with your friends. This is a good way of getting a new wardrobe for free. Toiletries Plan ahead! It’s never good to run out of toothpaste. Supermarket brands are the cheapest and often aren’t very different from expensive brands. Extra study expenses Be organized , so you can avoid library fines! You can save money on printing , by always printing double-sided and in black and white.