1. Similarly to food shopping, make use of the stores where you or your friends work to make use of the discount, therefore if you're thinking of getting a job, ask at your favourite stores first where you're likely to shop.

2. Loan day is a fenzied day in the cities of England when floods of students surge to the shops on the lookout for fabulous clothes and shoes to buy with your 'free' money. You should keep in mind, that if you budget yourself all year on buying clothes and accessories, and leaving DVDs and CDs to birthday and Xmas lists, you can really treat yourself on loan day.

3. Shopping online can be very beneficial. Prices are often much cheaper than in the shops and on a lot of sites delivery is free.

4. I'm not suggesting everyone go out and get store account cards, but this can sometimes be smart if you choose a shop that stocks everything from underwear to coats. This can be your 'basics' shop where you know you can get that new pair of pants if the emergency arises and you have a cash shortage.

5. Take advantage of great deals, such as '4 DVDs for £20', you can go halves with your friends if there are films you'd both like, which will save you buying 4 films, when you only really want two, and will save you a tenner.

Please note: The above top five is not the choice of the BBC.