GIMP

Although GIMP may sound a bit dodgy, it is in fact an excellent free piece of image editing software that is available for all operating systems. It has a large section of features, however it is a little buggy and takes some getting used too. But if you have the time for it, it can be an excellent alternative to Photoshop.

Link: GIMP

Pixelmator

If you are lucky enough to own a mac, then you should have a look at Pixelmator. It contains many of the same features as Photoshop at a fraction of the price and it certainly fulfils it’s objective of being “image editing for the rest of us”. It can even handles Photoshop files.

Link: Pixelmator

Paint.NET

If you are a PC user and you don’t quite need all the features of Photoshop and you can’t get used to GIMP then the free Paint.NET may be for you. Like all of the other programmes mentioned in this article, it contains layers and it also has many special effects such as noise and distortion.

Link: Paint.NET

Free Image Editing Websites

There are a number of free image editing websites out there at the moment, which have many of the same features as full applications. Two of the best are Sumo Paint and Pixlr. Both of these excellent websites feature intermediate features such as layers and even have some more advanced features. They are definitely worth a look if you want to do some quick free image editing and have access to the internet.

Links: Sumo Paint & Pixlr

Still Can’t Live Without Photoshop?

Finally, if you must buy Photoshop, you should check out Software4Students. This site, which has featured on MSS before, has excellent discounts on Adobe software. Photoshop CS4 will still set you back £147.99, but this well below the £603.97 that Amazon are currently asking for it.

Link: Software4Students

© 2009 Money Saving Student

Photoshop Alternatives for Students

The Student Loans Company (SLC) have announced on their website that from 1 September 2009 to 31 August 2010 there will be 0% interest payable on student loans.

This is 1.5% lower than the interest rate for the previous period and reflects the low base rate set by Bank of England, which is currently just 0.5%.

Link: Student Loans Company Interest Rates

© 2009 Money Saving Student

No Interest Payable on Student Loans for 09/10

You will soon be able to watch every episode of certain Channel 4 programmes, like Father Ted, for free online.

Currently viewers can watch most programmes for 30 days after they have been aired.  PC uses have also had access to some extra content through the downloadable 4OD application.

From July Channel 4 will be making available more than 4,000 hours of archived content on its 4OD catch-up service.  This content will be made available to PC, Mac and Linux users.

However, some of Channel 4’s content will not be made available online because of rights issues.  For example, American shows like Friends will not be included.  But who hasn’t seen every episode a million times anyway.

The full service is expected to be launched on the 3rd of July.

Also, watch out for Hulu, the excellent US video site, which may be coming out in the UK later in the year.

Remember!

You do not need a TV license to use this service, but if you watch live TV you do!

Link: Channel 4 Catch-Up

© 2009 Money Saving Student

More Free TV From Channel 4

MSS users can now get 5% off at 118 Menu by entering a simple voucher code.

About 118 Menu

118 Menu allows users to order their takeaway online, with over 250+ takeaways to choose from.

How To Get The Discount

Simply type in mss at the checkout to get 5% off your takeaway order.

Link: 118 Menu

© 2009 Money Saving Student

MSS Users Get 5% Off At 118 Menu

Although I like the idea of videos giving out practical advice, it’s mostly pretty obvious stuff given by very cheesy ASDA employees.

The best video (which is below) advises you to grate your own cheese instead of buying ready grated cheese.  Brilliant stuff!

Link: Saving You Money TV

© 2009 Money Saving Student

ASDA’s Brilliant New YouTube Channel

The popular online clothing store ASOS is currently offering a 20% discount to customers who use a simple promotional code.

How To Get The Offer

Just head over to the ASOS website and at the checkout use the voucher code ASOSLOOK to get your 20% discount.

When Is This Offer Available

This voucher is valid until midnight on Monday 9th March and is for full-priced items only.

Link: ASOS

© 2009 Money Saving Student

ASOS 20% Off Voucher Code

Thinking of how to might get home this easter?  Well National Express may provide you with a cheap option.

They are giving away 40,000 seats on over 180 routes for just £1 one way plus a 50p booking fee.

The Routes

You can find a full list of routes here.

How To Get It

Simply visit the national express website.

When Is This Offer Available

This offer is available throughout March, however it is on a first come first served basis, so act quickly if you want to benefit from it.

Link: National Express

© 2009 Money Saving Student

£1 National Express Offer

Link: Student Loans Company

© 2009 Money Saving Student

Student Loan Interest Rates Have Fallen Again!

The Arts Council England in association with Metro have created  an excellent new scheme called A Night Less Ordinary, which tries to get young people to go to the theatre.

About ‘A Night Less Ordinary’

Just launched, the scheme offers thousands of free theatre tickets to young people across the country.  These free theatre tickets are available to anyone aged under 26.

The Theatre Events

You can get free tickets to see comedy, tragedies, musical theatre, dance, modern mime, plays, circus and much more.

The Venues

There are more than 200 venues participating throughout England.  

Find you’re nearest venue here.

How To Get The Tickets

Just go to the A Night Less Ordinary website and type in your postcode to find participating theatres near you.  Then simply click on the get free tickets button.

With Valentines Day around the corner, this could provide you with a brilliant free night out.

Link: A Night Less Ordinary

© 2009 Money Saving Student

Free Theatre Tickets For Under 26s

I have previously discussed how to watch TV for free on catch up sites, however it is also possible to watch live TV on your computer for free with Zattoo.

About Zattoo

Zattoo is a free program that allows you to legally watch live TV on your computer.

It was Founded in 2005 and is available in 8 countries so far: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.  

Currently it has over 3.6 million registered users.

Available Channels

Zattoo has number of free channels, of which the main ones are listed below:

BBC One
BBC Two
ITV
Channel 4
Five
BBC News
BBC Three
Euro News

The Program

The program is pretty easy to use, just simply click on the channel that you want to watch and you’re good to go.  It also contains a nice TV guide.  Another thing to note is that you will see an advert while the channel you have selected loads, however this allows them to keep the service free.

Alternatives

You can now watch most BBC channels live online via the iPlayer website, however it is not quite a convenient as having easy access to them in one program.

If you want an actual TV but can’t afford a new one, don’t forget to check out charity shops (I recently got a cheap TV from Oxfam).

You Need A TV License!

If you use Zattoo you will need a TV license, as it shows live TV!

Link: Zattoo

© 2009 Money Saving Student

Zattoo – Another Way To Watch TV For Free