So it's March already and the year is nearly at an end. The end of year parties will soon be in full swing. One problem though, cash is running low. Sounds familiar doesn't it?

Well if you're expecting me to give you some get rich quick tips, you'll be disappointed. But if you've ever looked at your bank balance and wondered where you spent all that money, you've come to the right place.

I know that feeling all too well, and let me tell you, it doesn't finish when your studies do. Oh no, it even rears its ugly head every now and then in your working life. Best to control it now I reckon. That's why I set off on a voyage of discovery to discover how exactly students "spend" their "hard earned money".

Well, as with any case it makes sense to begin with the usual suspects. Obviously cigarettes and alcohol are a major reason for money disappearing. Drinking and/or smoking away large chunks of the day is just a way of life for many students. And when you add that to the fact that most then go out at night and repeat their carefully planned life style it's not surprising that you often wake up to a putrid smell and an empty wallet.

Since we're on the subject of getting smashed off our faces I think we should mention drugs. Ah yes, that other great student pass time. Apart from being illegal, people everywhere find that taking drugs is quite a drain on your pocket, even with the price of an "eighth" falling! And seeing as you get so "mongered" you don't actually realize the amount of money you've just smoked. All you ever remember is the crazy antics that you got up to.

This evidently brings me on to the other big expense that goes hand in hand with the sessions - clubbing. Many students find that as much as some of the student nights may seem pricey, they are nothing compared to going out on a Saturday night with Joe Public. A sure fire way to put a dent in your wealth.

Mandeep N from Aston University, Birmingham, told Cunextuesday about how she has an obsession for handbags and ends up spending too much money on them. She claims that she's generally quite good with money but handbags are her one big vice. I'm sure girls can agree and they can probably add shoes and make up to that list too. Talking of shoes, I know that a good pair of trainers is every student's essential piece of clothing but when it comes to actually paying for them you know it blasts a serious hole in your sky rocket (pocket).

James S, from Cardiff University, told us how he has gained in love but lost in wealth since he got a girlfriend. He claims he has spent too much on overblown romantic gestures for his ladylove. No doubt she disagrees but we won't go there.

And from my own experience I know that buying records to satisfy my vinyl fetish leaves me below the breadline, even though I am perceived as "cool" (the jury is still out on that one).

Well I hope that's shed some light on where your money vanishes to. With all the crazy fads and questionable pastimes, we end up digging deeper and deeper into our pockets but all that comes to hand is fluff and the remnants of your chewing gum wrapper. Is spending money really a means of obtaining happiness or is that just capitalist propaganda getting the better of us? If only I knew… I'm off to figure it out over a pint.


Useful Links:

This is London - Video of the village
This is London - List of trendy bars
London Town - Playground of the rich&famous
Krakow nightlife - Cheap Night Out