Our mate* Howard got in touch** and asked us to post some money-saving tips for all those debt-ridden students out there… here’s what he had to say:

Our Mate* Howard

“Easy everyday savings ideas

Saving money us not easy, especially in today’s turbulent economic climate. Money is tight, but there are a few easy everyday ways that you can save a little cash here. Before you start saving, ensure you open a savings account with a good interest rate. You can even open online savings accounts.

Try:

• Cutting all unnecessary bills. If you are finding money tight and you need to make savings, you might want to consider cancelling that gym membership that you never use or getting rid of your cable TV subscription. This can save you hundreds of pounds a year.

• Going to free events and days out. If you take the time to look, you’ll find that there are loads of free events and activities going on in your local area. Try going to these rather than spending money on days and nights out. This money saving tip is perfect for families looking for things to do in the summer holidays.

• Installing energy saving devices. Many energy companies now offer their customers energy monitors, which let you know how much electricity you’re using. Along with these, you might want to replace all your light bulbs with more energy-efficient versions, and get a water saving device fitted in your shower. These measures can shave quite a bit off your household bills.

• Making a list and sticking to it every time you go shopping. It’s easy to become distracted in the supermarket and end up buying more than you need. If you stick to a list, you will only buy what you need and can save yourself some money.

Try all of these tips and see how much money you could save – your savings account will thank you!”

*by “mate”, I mean someone I’ve seen on TV

**it almost certainly wasn’t Howard who got in touch… but we can’t say for sure