Budgeting is one thing all students need to think about, and this is becoming increasingly clear with the cost of living crisis. There are certain things you can cut back on in order to save money as a student, and these sacrifices are sometimes necessary. Let’s have a look at some of them…
Subscription services
We’re all guilty of paying for too many subscriptions – Prime, Netflix, Spotify and so on. You can be savvy with these and share subscriptions where you can; although some services won’t let you, it is worth looking if you and your housemates can jump onto the same account for things that you all use. This allows you to cut down the cost a little bit! Regularly examine your subscriptions to see if there’s any you aren’t using, because it might be worth getting rid of them altogether.
Branded food items
Heinz ketchup might be your favourite, but is it really worth paying double or triple the cost of the supermarket’s own brand version? This applies to condiments, soup, cheese, bread, crisps, butter, fizzy drinks and more – with the cost of branded food items going through the roof and not showing any sign of slowing down, it might be worth trying some alternatives and seeing what you can swap out in your weekly shop.
New clothes
Even for the most fashion conscious among us, if you’re looking to save money then cutting out new clothes can be a great way to do it – this is good for the environment too. Instead of heading to ASOS or JD, why not try the local charity shops or the likes of Vinted and Depop? You can find some great second hand bargains to add something new to your wardrobe without spending too much money or adding to the impact fast fashion has on the planet. This is a great way to save money as a student!
Nights out
Enjoying a night out with flatmates or course friends is undoubtedly a huge part of being a student; however, there is no reason to attend every single night out or event on the horizon. You can still enjoy your student experience if you cut down on nights out, and swap them for evening walks or movie nights. The cost of nights out can really add up, even with all the offers and discounts available to students!
Taxis or Ubers
It can be so tempting to hop in a taxi to get from A to B, but this really can hit your budget hard. Opt for public transport (or walking!) to get to where you need to go as it is much cheaper and again, more beneficial for the environment. It might take a little longer, but if you’re able to readjust your schedule a bit then it definitely helps to save money as a student.
Textbooks or other course materials
Of course, many courses require the use of a textbook and other specific course materials or tools – and this shouldn’t be overlooked. But if you can go halves with someone on your course, buy second hand, borrow from the library or find the information online then this really helps to save a little bit of money!
Saving cash can be hard, but if you think about implementing these changes then you can definitely make things easier on yourself and help you save money as a student.
