Moving into your student accommodation can be very exciting, but also very expensive if you don’t plan things out and you’re not careful. So, here are a few tips on how you can save money and start your academic year with more money in your pocket
Set a Budget
A budget is always the easiest way to save some money. Take into consideration the costs you’ll have when moving into your new accommodation- buying furniture, deposits, groceries and rent. Before you go out and buy everything, make sure to read the inventory section of your contract to see what the landlord has to provide you with.
When you’ve set a budget, decide what the spending limits will be for each category. Try to keep this realistic so that you don’t end up going over your limit and feeling bad about it.
Split costs with your housemates
If you are moving in with housemates, consider splitting costs of shared items in the house. This will not only prevent you from having the house full of the same products because each person buys theirs individually, but it will also help you save money. Some ideas of items that you could split with your housemates can be kitchen equipment, cleaning supplies, and streaming services. To keep all this flowing nicely, consider creating a group chat so you can discuss what is missing and also what not to buy to avoid having duplicates.
Cook meals
I know cooking at home can seem really boring and you end up going out to eat or ordering something in. So, try to spice things up and plan a cooking session with your housemates where you can share food with each other and make the whole process a lot more fun.
Student discounts
Student discounts are a great way to save money. You can find discounts on everything from clothing to food and online subscriptions. Two apps that are most used are Student Beans and Unidays, because you can sign up for free and you can find discounts on almost every brand you want and even local stores. There you can find companies like National Express, Spotify, Nike, Apple, Samsung and so much more.
Moving to your new student accommodation on a budget can definitely feel overwhelming and impossible if you have a low budget. However, there are so many ways you can overcome this and make it easier than you thought it would be. Always remember, budgeting is everything!
