Getting the cash that you need during Christmas, and the festive period, can seem like a tough ask – especially when you’re a student! Don’t despair though because with a bit of thought and by using services like musicmagpie you can save the pennies and make yourself a bit of extra dosh.

Getting that extra spending money at any time of year is important, but at Christmas it is even more necessary. There might be parties to go to, end of semester nights out and presents for the boyfriend, girlfriend or family to buy. But, how do you do it?

Consider your expenditure – Everyone around you seems to be spending money like water, and every night there is a new event to go to, but you don’t know if you should or not. Chances are that you shouldn’t, what some students do at this time of year is to plan what parties they will attend and which they will have to decline.

Shop around – This is something that many students do anyway but it rings even truer at this time of year. When you’re buying gifts check online first to see where the best deal can be found, and never forget to ask if there’s student discount! You never know where you might get 10% off that you never knew before.

Sell DVDs – Every student has unwanted games, CDs and DVDs that are cluttering up their room and sometimes it’s because people don’t know exactly how much they can get for their stuff. Use websites and services online to get money back for what you don’t want. It all goes in the kitty for Christmas!

Make your own food – As much as it might seem nice to wake up 10 minutes before lectures, chuck your clothes on and get to your seat consider how you’re going to eat during the day. Have breakfast before you leave to stop snacking between lectures, and try to get home for lunch before creating some sort of dinner plan. Fast food can seem like a good option, but the expenses all add up.

Pound the pavements – Do you go to the gym on a regular basis? Why? You could save a lot more money and burn just as many calories by using the streets around your home as a running track.

Use your imagination – Worrying what to buy someone for Christmas? Why don’t you make them their own personalised card or present. Not only is this cheaper for you, but many people believe that this shows more thought and caring than a paid for gift.

Book early – Early bird tickets can save you a lot of money, be that for a nightclub or for a train. Where the latter is concerned, you can book as far away as 12 weeks before travel which can save you a great percentage on the cost of a train journey.

That’s a list of seven, but others like researching petrol prices before filling up your car or not buying books at this time of year can be simple things to consider. A lot of saving money is to do with common sense but you can also make quick cash as well by getting rid of unwanted gifts.