How to save money as a student when studying in London
Guest post by Charles Ross
It’s easy to see why so many students are attracted to studying in London. It’s a city full of restaurants, history and has a real buzz about it. However, it is expensive and can be a struggle financially. That doesn’t mean you need to tick London off your list, it just means you’ve got to wise up and consider some of the below money-saving tips.
#1 | Energy providers
Even if you’re renting a property you are still able to switch your energy provider. Do some research to find out who has the best deal for your property.
#2 | Budget well
One of the biggest reasons students run out of money is down to poor budgeting. Before you begin an academic year try to work out how much money you will have to spend for the coming 12-months and then create a monthly budget and highlight what you expect to spend on items such as food, entertainment, study-related equipment i.e a fast essay writing service, clothes, travel, and any other essentials. Once you’ve done this, it’s important to try and stick to this budget so you don’t fall short.
#3 | Forget the gym membership
If you’re used to having a gym membership then this may have to be something that you give up in London. Instead of joining a gym, you could consider getting involved in a local sports club at your college/university. Alternatively, there are lots of places for you to jog and run around in London.
#4 | Shop wisely
When it comes to going food shopping there are quite a few tips to think about to ensure that you get the best value for your money. For instance, shop at those supermarkets that can offer you a student discount, compare different brands before you purchase anything if it’s possible then buy products in bulk and when it comes to buying pricier items i.e. meat, consider the cheaper cuts. Always remember that if you go to the supermarket at the right time, quite often you can get your hands on food for a reduced price.
#5 | Seek discounts
When you’re at university you will be able to get a student discount card. This means that you will get a discount from many restaurants and shops.
#6 | Traveling around
Most people use the tube or bus system to travel around London and for this reason, it’s worth getting an Oyster Card. An Oyster Card is especially useful if you are going to be traveling quite a lot. Also, it’s worth considering a student discount card for coaches as well as for trains.
#7 | Bank accounts
There are so many different student bank accounts to choose from and many of them provide you with a 0% overdraft deal. It’s important to pick a bank account that has a 0% overdraft deal because the last thing you want to do is pay charges if you accidentally go over your overdraft. For this reason, it’s worth spending some time researching the best deal when it comes to a bank account.
#8 | Look for freebies
If you’re in the know then you’ll find that there are so many freebies available for students. These could include free tickets for events, meals, cosmetics, or coffee. It’s worth going online to find websites that list all the freebies that are available to students.
#9 | Work
Consider getting a part-time job as this means you will have extra money to live off. It also means you’ll get some very important experience of working in the big wide world.
#10 | Make sure you cook
It’s far too easy to head out in London to eat as there are so many places to choose from. However, if you eat out too much, before long you will have overspent and affected your budget. It’s a better idea to cook your own food as often as you can. If you find it difficult to think of what to make then go online and use websites that provide you cheap, easy yet tasty recipes designed with students in mind. Another helpful tip is to cook food in bulk as this will save your time, effort, and money, as well as it means you will be able to eat this food the following day or you could even freeze it for another day.
#11 | Save on energy
It’s much cheaper to layer up than paying a heating bill. When it comes to living like a student, the way you use energy can have a huge impact on the amount of money you spend. So instead of turning the heating up, put on a thick woolly jumper and save your pennies as well as the planet.
#12 | Free entertainment
There are so many attractions to see in London and the good news is that many of them don’t cost you anything. Visit the many churches, museums, parklands, and galleries for free.
All in all, if you follow above-mentioned money-saving tips you will succeed in your college classes and not only. As there are more ways for college students to save pennies.
About the author
Charles Ross is a know-it-all global student. An easy-going extrovert, Charles adores communication advantages offered by the Internet – blogging in the first place. This – combined with his bitter experience of college essay writing – makes him a perfect author at AffordablePapers.com – writing tutoring service with moderate pricing for college students in need.
