IT HAS come to the time of the term when student loans are running out, and the question that affects most students is back, what do you spend your money on, food or alcohol?

Food is essential to live, but alcohol is essential to live well so here I weigh up which is more important, while trying to find a way of incorporating both into the remaining pennies of the loan.

Food tastes good, in fact it tastes so good that it drives many to obesity, however food is also a pleasure that many students can do without, instead deciding to go for the value cheap as chips alternatives.  The reason I see behind this is simple, very few students look forward to what they are going to eat that evening, or plan days in advance how they are going to cook their dinner.

Alcohol however is different, so much thought, anticipation and excitement go into a night out, it is something to look forward to all day, and often all week and so it is important not to miss out on this due to lack of funds.

With a limited amount of money the secret is to drink at home before going out, and with supermarkets always having cheap deals on drinks it is easy to chip in with a couple of friends to get a lot of alcohol for a fraction of the prices at the local pub. There are always friends willing to have pre drinks at their houses, and this is where you can make use of drinking games. The thing to remember is to stay at the house until as late as possible, not getting into the student bar until about half an hour before the doors closes, maximising the cheap drinking time, while avoiding the prospect of being some of the first people in the club.

As for food it is easy to shop on a budget by just buying value food from the supermarket, including such things as chicken noodles for 9p, or a loaf of bread for 40p, it may not be as nice as the finest range, but it still does the job. Also lets not forgot the essentials, with things such as a 12 pack of toilet rolls for £1.11, or a set of sponges for 12p, Bargain!!!

A student is about living life, not living well, so get the value meals, get out on a night out and enjoy yourself!