Most of us at studentbeans.com are avid watchers of the X-Factor, so we were very interested to hear the latest gossip: Ofcom is investigating claims that fans of Laura White had problems getting through to cast their votes for her.

After receiving a petition of 50,000 signatures, Ofcom launched their investigation lastnight, and will start by requesting the voting figures of last week’s show.

This, however, may prove a bit tricky - an X-Factor spokesperson has made it clear that revealing the voting figures now would “give contestants an unfair advantage and spoil the competition for viewers”.

Will X-Factor release the viewing figures? Will Laura return to the live shows? Will Louis Walsh continue to bring Westlife into every conversation? We’ll just have to wait and see…

The Tesco Value range is a firm student staple - from baked beans to shampoo, it covers pretty much every aspect of the student lifestyle.

And now there’s a new addition to the Tesco Value family - Tesco Value greetings cards*.

Pricing in at 0 pence it’s surely the cheapest thing to be adorned with the famous blue and white stripes.

You can print and download the simple cards (for birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s and many others) as and when they are needed.

Granted your mate/girlfriend/mum probably won’t appreciate at the time, but think of all the money you’ll save!

* It’s a joke.

This week’s Student Money Saving Tips article is live on the Beanzine; here’s a taster of the deals, offers and tips you can find:

• Get 20% of everything in the Dorothy Perkins VIP week
• Why Waterstones is your one-stop bookshop this Christmas
• Where to buy an Apple iPod Touch for £120 off the RRP
• Find all the current 2 for 1 restaurant vouchers available

If you want to find more details on these offers, and more, then check out this week’s Student Money Saving Tips article on the Beanzine.

If you still want more then don’t forget that the Beanboard is updated daily with plenty of student-friendly offers.

Happy Saving,

The Beanteam

1. Free gifts

Many magazine subscriptions offer free gifts to the first 500 people to take up the offer.

At the minute, National Geographic is giving away a rather fetching fleece (hurry - only 79 left…) but typical gifts include designer beauty products or products related to the topic of the magazine.

2. Something for everyone

There are literally thousands of titles available to suit every friend, family member and random acquaintances (no matter how vague the association).

Whether it’s for your celeb-mad best friend, or gadget-crazy brother you’ll find something that won’t force them into a fake smile of appreciation.

3. Much cheaper

Magazines are usually one of the first luxuries to go when times get hard, but if you buy online you can save significantly on the RRP.

4. It’s the gift that keeps on giving

Why buy a present that runs out in a matter of days? A magazine subscription will last a lot longer than bath salts/wine/toffee.

For magazine subscription offers see studentbeans.com.

To see the full list of award winners, see StudentRadio.org.uk.

1. Release your inner child

Who says toffee apples and sparklers are for kids?

Toffee apples are so easy to make and sparklers go for as little as 30p a packet in Tesco.

Just make sure you cool the sparklers in earth or water before binning them - unless you enjoy the odour of melting bin bags.

2. Go to a free firework event

Every city has a fireworks/bonfire extravaganza of some sort - opt for those and cut out the expense, danger and general nuisance of lighting your own bonfire.

Not only is one less bonfire better for the environment (and hedgehogs), it also means that alcohol isn’t off the menu.

3. Make a toffee apple cocktail

Surprisingly similar to the cocktail recommended in the blog post for Halloween, this lemonade, apple and butterscotch schnapps concoction sounds a bit too sweet - but at least you won’t have toffee in your teeth.

With the winter nights getting longer and mornings getting colder, what better reason is there to indulge in some shameless procrastination?

The games section on studentbeans.com is one.

Launching in the next week, it’ll feature a selection of computer games that threaten to put your grades dangerously at risk.

If, however, you prefer your essay-avoiding to at least look productive then cast your eye over the new finance section.

Here you can compare the best student credit card rates, find out everything you need to know about credit and read the best student money saving tips.

Watch this space for news of the launch date!

Get your fix of the best deals and offers around now with this week’s Student Money Saving Tips, now live on the Beanzine.

Here you’ll find…

• The best value sim card in the UK
• Newspaper and magazines freebie highlights
• 2 for 1 main meals in restaurants nationwide
• Voucher codes to help you save on your Christmas shop

Want to know more? Then read this week’s Student Money Saving Tips on the Beanzine.

Happy Saving,

The Beanteam

P.S. If you can’t wait until next week then check out the Beanboard, which is updated daily with loads of shiny new student deals.

1. The early bird catches the worm

Peru, Brazil and Bolivia sound pretty appealing, even more so if you’re stuck in the library with a coffee and a deadline.

If an adventure trip there sounds good then book before 15th November at STA Travel to get 10% off the Early Bird Adventure Trip prices.

2. Christmas at home makes you wonder if you’re adopted

With the British Winter hovering somewhere between rainy and windy, it’s even easier to leave the family falling asleep in front of the TV and head elsewhere.

Whether it’s budget Bruges or blow-out New York, give the Queen’s speech a miss this year.

3. Plan an adventure in your lecture

An around the world trip, though an amazing experience, may not be so amazing to plan.

This is where the STA Travel Route Planner comes in.

Simply click on the cities you’d like to go to, the dates you want to leave and get your quote!
All of these deals and more are available from STATravel.co.uk

The world waits with bated breath for Wednesday 5th November, when the  US Presidential Election results will be announced.

While the suspense is unbearable, it does make you wonder - what will keep us entertained?

Never has an election been prime material for so many comedy sketches, newspaper columns, satires and pranks.

There is certainly no end to the viral videos to have come out of the Election:

Pranked Palin

Watch here

The most recent video to be making the rounds is Sarah Palin’s conversation with President Sarkozy…or so she thought.

She was duped into having a six minute conversation with one half of Canadian comedy duo Masked Avengers

Paris Hilton for President?

Watch here

Paris Hilton hit back with this short ad spoof after McCain’s campaign ad attacked celebrities such as the 27-year old socialite.

With unconvincing energy proposals and proposal to paint the White House pink, is she “like, totally ready to lead”?

Wassup 2008

Watch here

Remember the Budweiser “wassup” adverts? Well eight years later, despite various problems with the state of the US, the guys are back to urge Americans to vote for Obama.