6 of the best money saving tricks for uni students

uni students looking at phone for savings and budgeting

Going a full year through uni, only just having enough to get by, can be a stressful experience that negatively affects your mental and physical health as well as impacting your grades.

Avoid the stress and keep a nice lump of cash in your pocket with these tips.

1. Save with budgeting

You’ve read it before, and with good reason. Budgeting is important not just for saving but also for making sure you always have enough for student fees and amenities. 

Money on a debit card can feel slightly unreal. Being deliberate and planning out how much you’ll spend on each place matters.

2. Buy second hand textbooks

Textbooks are expensive, there’s no denying that. Most people use them for only one semester and throw them away—but not everyone! Buying and selling second hand uni textbooks is a great way of not only gaining back some cash but saving some too. 

Consider looking on social media for groups where students buy and sell their textbooks.

3. Save with student discounts

If you haven’t started coupon clipping as a student, now is the time to start. 

Websites such as student edge and unidays are great for students looking to save on great deals. Unidays itself has deals on everything from a Dominos pizza to your newest Microsoft Surface.  

Remember, as a uni student, you should always bring your student ID with you—you never know what in-store student discounts are going on!

4. Save by cutting back on subscriptions 

Subscription services are great for using services without dishing out enormous amounts of cash upfront, but they do add up once you pool the monthly expenses together. One way you can save is by cutting back on subscription services that you don’t use as much. Alternatively, some services have student discounts (e.g. YouTube). You may even be able to use programs like Microsoft Office for free with a student subscription.

5. Save by pooling funds

Tackle costs together and make life easier! You could pool funds with friends for meals, events or even transport costs. Then there’s TV: most allow for multiple accounts—if you want multiple differing services, devise with friends to have one each pay for a service and share.

6. Sign up to a high interest student savings account

Using the above savings tips, you’ll need to find somewhere to squirrel away your earnings. With a high interest savings account, you can let your money grow in a way that you wouldn’t usually get in an everyday account.

Looking to open a high interest savings account to make the most of your money? Check out and compare some of the best high interest student savings accounts on Mozo.

Savings account comparisons on Mozo

Mozo may receive payment if you click the products below. We don’t compare the entire market, but you can search our database of 274 savings accounts.
Last updated 27 July 2024 Important disclosures
  • Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    Savings Maximiser

    5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)

    0.55% p.a.(for $0 and over)

    Yes up to $250,000

    For customers who have an Orange Everyday account, deposit $1000 into a personal ING account, make 5 eligible transactions and grow their nominated Savings Maximiser account each month.

    Great variable rate every month when you grow your balance each month in addition to other eligibility criteria. No ING fees to pay. Save even more with ING Everyday Round Up. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^

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    Details
  • Reward Saver Account

    5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)

    0% p.a.(for $0 and over)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Intro bonus rate of 5.25% for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months, reverting to 3.25%. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals.

    Introductory bonus rate for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals. Start your account online in under 10 minutes and earn interest on balances up to $1,000,000 (T&Cs apply). No monthly account fees, helping you save smarter and faster.

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    Details
  • Savings Account

    5.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)

    4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Bonus variable rate is available for the first 4 months.

    Competitive introductory variable rate for first 4 months (on deposits up to $250,000). No account keeping fees to pay. Multiple 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.

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    Details
  • Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    High Interest Savings Account

    5.75% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)

    4.40% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening

    Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits with the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account. No Account keeping fees. No minimum balance. Support Aussie farmers with every dollar you save.

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    Details
  • Bonus Saver Account

    5.00% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)

    0.05% p.a.(for $0 and over)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Bonus rate when at least $20 is deposited each month and five Visa Debit transactions are made each month using linked Glide transaction account.

    Start saving and earn interest with just a $20 deposit and make 5 eligible transactions each month. No fees or penalties for withdrawing money.

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    Details

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings Account Awards

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