The most difficult aspect of student life is successfully budgeting your money, especially when it comes to the inevitable temptation of a shopping spree or a meal at your favourite restaurant. But next time you’re stuck in the situation of deciding what you can (but more likely can’t) afford, remember there are so many discounts and offers out there that can be used to your advantage.

Although you will need to cut down on the amount of money you are spending, there are few key places to search for savings that will help you get as much discount as is available. Firstly, there is UNiDAYS; a website dedicated to students which is FREE to sign up to, but simply asks you to select your college/university and then to sign into your institutions student portal. Voucher Codes and Groupon gather together the best offers on the web and are both also FREE to sign up to. Voucher Codes also has a downloadable app to help you save even when you’re on the go. Lastly, NUS ask for a small fee of £12 and in turn issue you with a card which is valid for a year and is a recognised form of student discount in countless high street stores and restaurants, as well as online.

Below I have included some of the best discounts for places in Bournemouth over the next week.

Restaurants:

ASK Italian – 2 courses for £10.95 - This deal can be found on Voucher Codes and is valid from Sunday to Friday until 18th March 2014. By downloading their app all you need to do is present your phone with the downloaded voucher code when ordering your meal. Nearest ASK Italian: Jacey House, 284-92 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1PH. Telephone: 01202296900.

Zizzi - 30% off main courses – Available on Voucher Codes, this deal can be used all day Sundays to Thursdays. Although Zizzi always seem to have offers online, there is no reason why as a student you can’t indulge yourself sometime in the next few weeks, when your meal will be 1/3 its usual price. Valid until the 3rd April (but excluding Mother’s Day on 30th March). Nearest Zizzi: 5 The Square, Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, BH26HE. Telephone: 01202299010.

ChimiChanga – 40% off Your Food Bill – Another deal found on Voucher Codes which is valid Mondays to Thursdays from 12pm till 5pm. With a wide variety of Mexican food on offer, including enchiladas, nachos and burritos, it will definitely provide a pleasant change to the usual student diet. Nearest ChimiChanga: 61 Westover Road, Bournemouth, BH12BZ. Telephone: 01202314206.

Yates – Free Cheeseburger and Chips with any Drink – As a student Yates Bournemouth is likely to be a stop on a night out rather than a meal out, but with this current offer there is no reason why you cannot go there for dinner as well. Simply sign up online and receive your voucher for your [almost] free meal via email. Nearest Yates: 2 Dean Park Crescent, Bournemouth, BH1 1HL. Telephone: 01202 298612.

McDonald’s – Get a Free Medium Fries with the purchase of a Big Mac® or McChicken® Sandwich – With a valid NUS card, simply log in online to redeem this offer OR alternatively present your NUS card in any McDonald’s store and receive a free McFlurry, Hamburger or Cheeseburger with any purchased meal. Nearest McDonald’s: 33-35 Old Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth, BH1 1DS. Telephone: 01202 556671.

Shopping :

Dorothy Perkins – 20% off In-store – Exclusively to Voucher Codes, Dorothy Perkins are giving you 20% off seven days a week. Nearest Dorothy Perkins: The Castlepoint Shopping Centre, Bournemouth, BH89UY. Telephone: 01202547415.

Motel – 20% off Online at motelrocks.com – UNiDAYS are currently offering exclusive discount on Motel, and with free UK delivery every Monday - you cannot go wrong.

ASOS – 10% off Online at asos.com – Even an extra 10% can make all the difference on ASOS, especially with the range of products and prices on offer, so snap it up while you can.

Days/Nights Out Cameo – My UKCN – My United Kingdom Club Network is an app which allows you to get free drink offers for a selection of clubs in the UK. Until 1st April, the offers for Cameo include a Free Stella 4.8% Bottle, a Free shot of Smirnoff Gold or a Free Glass of Pepsi, Diet Pepsi or Lemonade. Nearest Cameo: Fir Vale Rd, Bournemouth, BH1. Telephone: 01202 311178.

Groceries:

The Co-operative Food – 10% discount with NUS card – This includes food, drink, household products, newspapers and magazines, confectionary and flowers. Nearest Co-operative: 382 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, BH8 8BN. Telephone: 01202 309273.

ASDA Stir-fry – 3 for £3 – This is the perfect cheap meal for students, not only is it a healthy option but it’s also quick and easy to cook. The offer gives you the choice of a variety of different stir frys, exotic sauces which are helpfully labelled with a level of spice and either egg or rice noodles.

ASDA Jumbo Fishcakes (Salmon, Cod and Thai) – 2 packs of 2 for £3 – If you are looking for something different to cook, these fishcakes from Asda are extremely tasty and well worth the price. Nearest Asda: Asda Bournemouth Superstore, St Pauls Road, Bournemouth, BH8 8DL. Telephone: 01202 298900.

So yes, budgeting for the first time is difficult, but it becomes slightly less daunting when you know where to look. Don’t be afraid to be the one that has a ‘buy-six-coffee’s-and-get-the-seventh-free’ card, and always check online before you embark on something you think might stretch your budget. Embrace the offers and student saving becomes slightly more smooth sailing.