It is no secret that London is a considerably expensive city to live in. Whether you are there to study, work, or simply visit, you will need a good budget to help you easily get around the city. Living in London might be a bit too hard and expensive to navigate as a student. Worry not, though! We have a custom-made guide just for you! Here are some of the nifty ways to save money in London.
Ways to Save Money in London
It is an already established fact that London is rather expensive, and the cost of living in London as a student is not exactly on the affordable side of things. This is why smart spending and savviness are required skills during your study period in London. There are plenty of ways to manage your spending and live happily on a budget while in London. Below, are some of the ways through which you can smartly save your money in London!
- Challenge Yourself with A Budget
Setting a budget is usually the first step on the money management journey. Invest in a planner and/or a notebook and budget your spending in it. Make a budget for the semester or even the entire year in advance. Having a fixed amount of money to pay over a long period of time is a great way to save money in London, that is provided you stick to your budget of course! Gather up all your expenses, set a detailed budget, challenge yourself to stick to it, and then reward yourself for that!
- Smart Students Travel with Savviness
Transportation takes up quite a lot of the budget that you set for yourself. Being travel savvy is a great way to save money in London. The tube and/or the bus are your new best friends; they’re the cheapest and fastest ways to get from one place to another in London. They are also the means of transportation that are eligible for student cards and discounts, making your journeys even cheaper and more budget-friendly. Investing in a Student Oyster Card is a smart way to go about saving 30% of your money on travel and transportation as a student in London.
- Discounts: A Student Perk
Your university card as a student in London is what you need to get all the discounts out there! Not only does it grant you offers and discounts in various stores and restaurants across the city, but it can also get you to pay less on transportation, university supplies, and even groceries. Make use of the magic that is your student card and take advantage of those offers!
- Catch Those Deals
Grocery shopping is expensive, especially for students in London. This is why smart shopping is in now! The key to shopping smart is choosing grocery stores that offer student discounts, shopping for a month or so in advance, and ditching pricey items that you are not likely to use.
- Free Entertainment? Count Me in!
One of the ways to save money in London is to entertain yourself with as little money as possible, which might seem hard, but it is, in fact, very doable! While London’s bustling atmosphere and busy nightlife might be pricey, there are ways to have a good time without the extra cost! Check out where to go for discounted tickets for students. Many museums, castles, art galleries, and parks offer these.
- Get Yourself A Job
We are acutely aware of how busy your schedule can be as a student in London. However, a job can benefit you in several ways. Not only will it ensure that you have a stable monthly income that is guaranteed to help with your expenses in the city, but it will also be a great addition to your CV, especially when applying for work after you graduate. Let’s not forget the added benefits of enhancing your communication and people skills that will definitely come in handy in the future. Of the numerous student jobs you could apply for, there are on-campus jobs like being a tutor or a librarian, or off-campus jobs like being a barista or working in retail.
- Talk More, Pay Less
Phone bills tend to be a bit on the pricier side, especially in a city like London. A great way to save up on your phone usage bill is to rely on internet-based means of communication. Contact your family back home using apps like FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype. You can mostly use the internet provided at your university or the free Wi-Fi that comes with your London student accommodation; this way you can talk to your friends and family while investing in a smaller, and therefore cheaper phone plan!
As expensive as it is to live in London, especially as a student, there are always ways through which you can make the best of this experience with the minimum funds! Use this list as your guide and keep these ways to save money in London in mind for your next trip there. Safe travels!
