Student finance: money wasting danger zones Think ahead and imagine the future - will you still be using your membership subscription in 6 months time? If the answer is no, then go onto the pay as you go option - if the reality changes you can always start a full membership. Student finance: Top 5 student budget apps The pub 'round' It's a very British thing to buy rounds of drinks for your new found uni mates - it's communal and it saves bar queuing time. However, it's also a top money wasting danger zone. If you were only planning on staying for one drink or you've got an essay deadline the next morning, a simple 'No thanks, I'm just staying for one or two, so I'll grab a drink in a bit' will do. Habit purchases The habit purchase is anything you buy repeatedly in certain places and at certain times (often food and drinks, for example, a latte on your way to your morning lecture). You've enjoyed the purchase in the past and you make the purchase again and again on autopilot. It's at these times that the purchase can be a complete waste of cash. How many times have you thought "I didn't enjoy that" or "I don't really know why I bought that"? Just be aware when you're auto-piloting towards that coffee, or whatever it is; think, "is this a habit buy? Do I really need or even want this? IN PICTURES: Top 10 world universities 2013 Debit cards Don't take your debit card with you on a night out. Just take the amount of cash you plan to spend and NO cards. This safeguards your evening against drink logic - just make sure you have enough for a taxi home. Cooking for one Don't cook for one. Making one meal for a few friends is much less work and more economical than cooking for one. Plus you can take it in turns and then you get a few nights off washing up! You also don't have to eat the same meal for days in a row. Oliver Brann is Editor of studentbeans.com Check out the Telegraph's Student Life and Student Finance sections for more advice