The Student Freebie Guide: Without Being Scammed

 

 

Hey guys!

 

 

Today I am going to share some ways of getting freebies as a student. I'm sure many of you would like to find out more about freebie apps and websites that are genuine and won't scam or rip you off. Below is some tips about finding freebies in the UK, and a list of places to get them from.

 

 

Read the Small Print

Some freebies come with a catch. For some offers, you may need to buy something, which means it’s not free at all. Make sure you read the small print to see the terms and conditions to see what you’re getting.

Look for Reviews

Before you sign up, do research into the company or website. Check online comments and reviews. Don’t get hung up on one or two bad reports, however, if people don’t have anything good to say, there may be a good reason for it.

Don’t Give Payment Information

Be careful when giving out your credit card details to websites and apps. Make sure to check reviews first before signing up to any freebie websites and apps, and don't hand any money over. Genuine freebie sites will not charge you. The thing to remember is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. It is possible to get some freebies, but receiving hundreds of pounds with minimum effort is very unlikely.

 

The Top Places For Free Stuff

Freebie Websites

Ilovefreegle.org and Freecycle.org – These sites allow people to offer free stuff they no longer want to people in their local area. This is great for larger items like furniture.

BzzAgent – This site offers free products in return for a mention on Twitter, Facebook, and other social network pages.

GumTree (Freebies section) – You can get anything you want on Gumtree which includes free stuff, from fire extinguishers, sofas, and TVs to concrete, soil, and scrap wood.

WOWFreeStuff – This site offers a mix of free samples, printable vouchers, and freebies, that are used in stores across the country. Currently, they offer free stuff from coffee to student freebies and free stuff.

Freebie Apps

O2 Priority – This app is available on the Android and iOS app store. It offers awesome offers and deals. These include random freebies, like chocolate bars and cinema tickets. You can also get O2 Priority on other networks, so you can enjoy their freebies.

WeQ4U – This freebie app is a bit specific. You can skip phone queues and reach companies using their direct number, instead of the standard 0800 number. This will let you make a somewhat expensive call for free through your mobile device.

AppGratis – This app offers you all types of new paid/premium apps for the Android and iPhone. And you can get these apps free every day using this app.

Do you have any good freebie apps and websites that you use to get free offers, samples and deals? If so, let me know in the comments!

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

 

 

Dislaimer: This post was contributed by Sami at Wow Free Stuff.

10 Ways to Make Money As a Student

 
Hey guys!

  

Being short on change is unavoidable as a student. Government loans barely cover accommodation, let alone food and going out, and most parents don't have enough money to spend on their children's education. Fortunately, the Internet has made it easier to make money in your spare time, without having to go through the lengthy process of finding a job. These range from selling old things to appearing on TV.

 

 

1. Surveys

 

Filling out online surveys may be tedious, but it can often be rewarding. Surveys are a great way of earning a few pounds whenever you have a spare moment. There are plenty of website that give you points for completing surveys, and you can exchange these for vouchers or cash. I personally like Inbox Pounds and Swagbucks. Doing lots of surveys is time-consuming and repetitive, so both websites offer other ways of earning money, including playing games, searching the web, and watching videos.

 

 

2. Trading

 

Trading requires a lot of patience and determination, but you can earn hundreds if you keep at it - just like my friend. It's also much quicker than things like doing surveys and writing articles. However, trading can be risky, so don't invest any money into it that you can't afford to lose. Check out Plus500 or eToro.

 

 

3. Blogging

 

Fancy being the next Victoria Magrath or Anna Gardner? Why not set up your own blog? (I'm sure that if you're reading my post, you probably have a blog already!) You can write about pretty much anything, not just fashion and make-up, and make a bit of cash too. If you have a reasonable number of readers, you can sign up to Google AdSense, which pays you when people click on the ads on your blog. Occasionally, you might be offered a sponsored post, but these are rare and sometimes only available to the owners of self-hosted blogs. Hannah Gale and Amy have written handy guides on how to make money as a blogger.

 

 

4. Freelancing

 

Assuming you're already a blogger, you must have some writing skills. So why not put these skills into use and write articles for clients on websites such as Freelancer and Upwork? It's great practice for anyone wanting to go into journalism or full-time blogging. As a freelancer, you pretty much have the freedom to change whatever you want - within reason, of course! When you've got enough articles under your belt, you can pitch ideas to magazines and newspapers (I'm not quite at that stage yet, although I do have a few ideas).

 

 

5. Be an extra

 

If you appear in the background of a TV show or film, you can earn around £80-100, which is roughly the same as what you would get if you did a day's work in a shop or restaurant. While there is a lot of waiting around involved in being an extra, you don't need any acting experience. Try casting agencies such as Be On Screen and Universal Extras, which has been set up specifically for students.

 

 

6. Sell things online

 

Got a load of clothes, books and DVDs you no longer want? It's worth selling them on eBay or Amazon. An alternative is Depop, which is a useful app for selling old clothes, and it doesn't take long to sign up to.

 

 

7. Become a tutor

 

By the time you reach university level you must be knowledgeable in at least a few subjects, so it might be a good idea to teach one - or two - to younger students. Some tutors are paid around £10 an hour, although this varies depending on experience. Sign up to Keystone Tutors or Bright Young Things to get started.

 

 

8. Take part in psychology experiments

 

This may seem scary at first, but it's actually quite enjoyable. Many university psychology departments need students to take part in experiments. These typically involve completing surveys and doing other tasks, and they last from 15 minutes to 2 hours. At my university, you get paid £6 per hour to do experiments, and you can do a few each week.

 

 

9. Become a brand ambassador

 

Companies such as Innocent Smoothies, Spotify and Smirnoff give students the opportunity to enhance their CV and earn an extra income by promoting their products. It's the perfect job for anyone who is really sociable and good at networking. You also need to be passionate about the brand you are working for Brand ambassadors tend to go on to work in PR, events or marketing.

 

 

10. Listening to music

 

Believe it or not, you can actually earn money by listening to music! I recently signed up to SlicethePie, which is a brilliant website for discovering new songs. SlicethePie has also recently introduced a fashion section. You get paid to review these songs and items of clothing, although it is only a few pennies per review, so don't expect to get rich quickly. You are able to receive a payment once you reach £10.

My referral code is U1B454E1.

 

 

Some other ways of making money as a student include setting up an Etsy store, cashback, helping people with chores and taking dogs for walks.

 

 

Do you make money in your spare time? Do you use any of the methods I have mentioned?

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena  

 

 

How to save money at uni

Hey guys!


Following my Top Tips For Uni post, I thought I'd share with you some of the ways you can save money whilst studying at university. There's nothing worse than being stuck in debt and not being able to enjoy your life at uni. By utilising these tips, hopefully this won't happen to you.


1. Get a railcard

As a student, you'll be using trains at least six times a year, so it's worth investing in a 16-25 railcard. It only costs £30 per year (o £70 for all three years), and you'll be saving 1/3 on train tickets. You can find out more by clicking on this link.


2. Hold pre-drinks at home

If you're going on a big night out, get your friends together and pop to the local Aldi for any prinks (a.k.a. "pre-drinks"). This will cost as little as £3 per person, whereas drinking in bars can add around £15 on top of the £3 entry fee to the club. And £18+ is a lot to spend on a night out when you're a student, especially if it's going to become a regular occurrence.


3. Alternate nights out

What I mean by this is, go out every second week, rather than every week. It's really not necessary to go out every single week and you'll be saving money this way. The other nights you can stay in and watch a film with your flatmates.


4. Limit the takeaways

It may be tempting to stop off at McDonald's (or Efe's, if you're in York) on the way home after a night out, but think about all those calories! And all those fivers you spend on a burger and fries / pizza could add up and you'd be able to afford a ticket to visit your friend in the next town (I'm sure they'll be so happy to see you!)!


5. Subscribe to Netflix

You may be glued to your TV when you're at home and having your own tele at uni can be sociable (ironically). However, subscribing to Netflix can save a lot of money. Netflix may also have films / TV shows that aren't available on an ordinary TV (e.g. Pretty Little Liars).


6. Walk

It's shocking how much you can save each year by simply walking instead of taking the bus / a taxi. You could literally afford a weekend's holiday if you saved all the money you'd be spending on buses. I'm going to try to limit my bus journeys to once a week (so one return ticket), if that. Also, as my mum tells me almost every week, "walking is good exercise". The uni gym is so expensive so walking is a cheaper alternative. I use a pedometer whenever I go out, so that gives me more incentive to walk rather than hop on public transport.


7. Use the library

Any books you'll need for your course are bound to be somewhere in the uni library. Check before spending £50 on a book that might be difficult to sell after you've finished using it.


8. Sign up to experiments / help out at open days

It is so hard to get a part time job so look out for any psychology experiments at your uni. Some Departments / Colleges may need students to help out at open days, and they can pay quite a bit, so make sure you volunteer if you have time and you haven't managed to get a job.


9. Keep a money jar

Keep any spare change in a jar / large purse and it'll eventually add up! At the beginning of first year, choose a type of coin, for example 20p, and try to save every coin of that type. I personally try to save every coin dated 2012 or later. I started at the end of first year, and I'm now starting third year, but I've saved quite a bit! Only "break into" the jar in real "emergencies" - like if you're getting a taxi home and don't have enough cash on you, you could quickly run up to your room and take some coins from the jar and "pay yourself back" later (this happened to me last term - I was only £1 short! :( ).


10. Get loyalty cards

It's probably wise to get a loyalty card for shops / restaurants you'll be purchasing things from regularly. I'd recommend getting ones for Starbucks, Costa, Superdrug, Boots and Nando's. Also see if your local cinema gives out loyalty cards.


I hope these tips come in handy! Thanks for reading!


Hasta luego!


Serena

Top Tips For Uni

Hey guys!

With the beginning of the new uni year just around the corner, I thought I'd do a post sharing my top tips. As I've already been at uni for two years, I know how it works, and this post should be useful for anyone starting this year.


 1. Join the university / hall Facebook groups before starting

Facebook is great for keeping in touch with old friends. However, what you may not realise is that Facebook is also useful for making new friends. During the summer holidays before you head off to uni, join the different Facebook groups (for either your accommodation or the university in general - or both!) and start chatting to the other students. It'll help break the ice for when you arrive.


2. Subscribe to Netflix

Netflix is a fantastic way of watching all your favourite TV shows and films - and it's a lot cheaper than forking out for a TV licence.


3. Don't worry if you don't like going out

University students have a reputation for partying 24/7, but in reality most of us prefer to spend the night at home snuggled in bed with a tub of Ben and Jerry's watching Netflix. Don't feel like you have to go out to a club or a bar just because everyone else is.


4. Join clubs / societies

Societies are another way of making friends at uni (and they look great on your CV). Many universities have a whole variety of societies on offer, ranging from the standard sports to the unusual FetSoc (i.e. Fetish Society - yes, there is such a thing). Remember not to sign up to too many societies in your first week - you'll never make all of them! I'd say two or three is a good number.


5. Bring a laptop

This is probably an obvious one, but it does seem that some students don't have laptops. Having your own laptop saves all the stress of trying to find a computer in the library - there never seem to be enough.


6. Buy food as a household

Doing a weekly shop with your housemates can save money and you can cook things together.


7. Buy books secondhand

There is seriously no point in spending £60 on a book you're only going to pick up once. Save money by ordering used books from Amazon or other students. Many books may also be available in the library - even better!


8. Bring fancy dress

Fancy dress costumes are something you'll be needing right from Fresher's Week. Some of the most common themes include Disney, Decades and Superheroes. You'll also need a costume for Halloween - though many Freshers go out several times during the same week as Halloween so it may be useful to bring two.


9. Attend classes

As many lecturers upload their presentations for students to read after class, it is tempting to just skip lectures. However, attending lectures will enable you to get a better grasp of the material covered, and you can ask the teacher for help if you don't understand things.


10. Stock up on medicine

Flesher's Flu is real, and it's not nice either. Make sure you have a selection of medicine so that you are prepared for the unexpected cold. Water bottles are also good for the long winter nights.



And finally, have fun! University is such a good experience and I hope you enjoy it!


Hasta luego!


Serena

So You Don't Want To Go To Uni?

With results day just around the corner, many sixth-formers across the country are busy deciding where to spend the next three (or four) years of their lives. However, others may feel that university isn't for them - maybe their grades weren't quite what they'd expected or they simply feel that they're not ready to go to uni. There are a number of students who aren't keen on the prospect of a few more years of education and would much prefer to do something else. But what can you do? British society makes us believe that university is the only post-school option. We grow up thinking that university is the only way to get a job, though there are plenty of other things available once you leave school. These are as follows:



1. Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are great for students who already know what type of job they want to do when they finish school. Apprenticeships combine study with practical training in a specific job. They enable teenagers and young adults to earn a wage whilst studying, and can last as short as a year, which is a lot quicker than a degree and therefore suitable for anyone who doesn't really like education. Apprenticeships are very varied and can train you to become a chef, retail assistant, receptionist, sales consultant or even an engineer.



2. School Leaver Programmes

Companies such as Barclays, Tesco, Nestle and Siemens give school-leavers the chance to work and get paid. Barclays in particular has a Life Skills programmes which is designed to teach young people the necessary skills for their future careers. Nestle offers a Fast Start programme during which you can work in one of their commercial departments. They will fund your programme and pay you too, though you will need 300 UCAS points before applying. This is equivalent to 3 Bs at A Level.



3. Gap Year

A gap year is definitely something you should take into consideration when deciding what to do after school. Gap years give you the chance to take a year out of education and think about what you really want to do for the rest of your life. During your gap year, you may decide to travel the world or simple stay in your hometown and look for a job. Although travelling is expensive, and you may find it difficult to find a travelling buddy, it is something you should do at some point during your life, especially while you are young. Experiencing other parts of the world will open your eyes and help you discover who you are. You can develop new skills that wouldn't be possible in your native country. Perhaps you will choose to climb to the top of a mountain or nurse villagers after a natural disaster. Travelling will also help you become independent, especially if you decide to visit place on your own. You may want to learn a language whilst you are abroad, which will in turn provide you with a whole new range of opportunities. Travelling the world will be challenging and I am sure that you will meet some amazing people on your journeys. STA Travel and Gap Force are two brilliant companies that can help you plan your year of travelling.


I hope this post has given you some ideas as to what you can do after school. Don't worry if you don't want to go to uni - you don't have to have a degree to be successful. Look at Zoe Sugg, Bill Gates and Steven Spielberg - they are hugely successful and didn't go to (or complete, in Bill Gates' case) uni. Don't just do what everyone else does, or what your parents think you should do - it's more important to do what YOU want to do!


Hasta luego!


Serena