Are you a university student in the UK looking for ways to save money? If so, then you are not alone! With rising tuition rates and the cost of living to increase, it can be hard to manage your finances. The good news is that students can do many different things to help keep more money in their pockets.
University life is fun, but it can be expensive, especially now more than ever. Luckily, there are many easy ways that students can save more of their hard-earned cash each month. Here are 100 ideas that will help you manage your finances better and enjoy University just as much without breaking the bank! It might seem like common sense advice, but these small changes make a big difference over time. You can become one smart cookie with some discipline, patience, planning, and commitment.
Let’s begin with how to save money as a student in the United Kingdom
- Student Bank Account
- Save On Utility Bills
- Save On Broadband
- Best Mobile Phone Deals For Students
- Take Advantage of O2 Priority
- Student Vouchers & Discounts
- Free or Reduced Applications For Students
- Car Insurance
- Avoid Buying A Car If You Don’t Need It
- Use Cheaper Transport
- Facebook MarketPlace
- Go to The Library
- Buy Cheap Textbooks
- Share Amazon Prime, Netflix and Disney+ with others
- Avoid Credit Cards and Debt
- Pay Bills On Time
- Use Free Financial Debt Advice Free
- Use Cash Rather Than Card
- Spend On What You Need Instead Of What You Want
- Live At Home Or in Shared Living
- Home Contents Insurance
- Student Council Tax Discount
- Student TV License Refund or Reduced Cost
- How to Meal Prep, So That You Eat Healthier and Cut Down on Costs
- 1. Have All Your Tools On Hand
- 2. Buy in bulk and cook to last a few days
- 3. Cook Ahead So All You Need To Do Is Reheat
- 4. Store Up Veggies/Fruits as snacks
- 5. Recipes & Last Minute Tips
- Use Money Saving Tin Or Piggy Bank
- Use Starling Bank App Spaces
- In Conclusion
Student Bank Account
A student bank account in the UK is an essential tool for students. You need a student bank account because your college or University can pay money into it, which means you have enough cash to buy books and living essentials. You may also want to withdraw some of this money from time to time!
Another great benefit of having a student bank account is that you can get a student debit card. This means spending your money in shops and restaurants and withdrawing it from cash machines. It’s essential to have a debit card when you’re at University, making life so much easier. You don’t have to carry around lots of cash with you all the time, which can be pretty dangerous.
Best Student Bank Accounts
- 4-year Santander 16-25 Railcard
- Earn up to 15% cashback
- 0% Overdraft Based on Credit Score
Save On Utility Bills
Utilities cover water, gas and electric bills in the UK and can be paid monthly, quarterly or yearly. They can be pretty costly, but there are ways to help reduce bills as a student. Utility bills will undoubtedly be a part of a student’s life when they move into a rented property and can become expensive if you don’t stay on top of it immediately.
Best Energy Provider For Students
The cost of electricity can be a bit scary, so, understandably, you might be looking for a new energy source. The good news is that there are many student-friendly energy providers in the marketplace. These providers offer special pricing or other incentives to get you started on your education. But how do you know which provider is best for you?
Look no further because we will provide you with our favourite energy provider for students in the United Kingdom.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy is probably one of the cheapest energy providers on the market and the best choice to save you that extra cash in the winter months!
If you are a big believer in looking after our planet, Octopus Energy only uses 100% renewable sources like sun, wind and water for electricity.
They are perfect for choosing where to shop for your energy with excellent customer service and great value compared to the “big 6”.
Tips To Reduce Cost Of Utility Bills
There are many things that students can do to save money on utility bills. One of the most important ways is not wasting energy when it isn’t necessary, especially in winter months when heating costs tend to be high.
– Heating and hot water can be expensive, so try to keep the heating down in winter and only have a shower once you’ve got into the warm!
– If you’re not using your oven or hob, turn off the electricity at the switch. The same goes for other appliances – if they’re not being used, switch them off at the plug.
– Make sure all your lights are turned off when you leave a room. And invest in some energy-efficient light bulbs!
– Try and do laundry during cheaper times of day, like overnight. And make sure to fully dry your clothes before putting them away – this will save on your electric bill as well.
Save On Broadband
Broadband is a part of every student’s life. It is not only used for studying but also to stay connected with friends and family members who might be living at a distance from you.
However, broadband can be expensive, especially if you are not careful about using it. It’s expected that you will be sharing the broadband connection with other students or flatmates. Therefore, you will have to agree on the speed and contract that is preferred by all. Including TV and Mobile may actually be cheaper than just having broadband on its own, so there is a lot to think about
Top Tips for Finding the Best Broadband Package
-Get a broadband package that is suited to your needs. If you only use the internet for basic activities such as checking emails and browsing websites, then a lower-tier broadband deal may be suitable for you. However, if you plan on streaming movies or gaming online, you will need a more robust broadband package.
-Look for special offers and discounts. Many providers offer student discounts, so it’s worth shopping around to see what deals are available.
-Consider bundling your broadband with other services such as TV or home phone. This can often work out cheaper than purchasing these services separately.
-If possible, opt for a no-contract broadband deal. This way, you can cancel your service if you find a better deal elsewhere.
-Be wary of broadband traps such as sneaky installation fees and excess data charges. Make sure you are aware of all the costs involved before signing up for a broadband package.
Top 3 Student Broadband Providers
✅ Cheaper Tv options
✅ 12-Month Contract
✅ Good Uptime Recently
✅ 12-Month Contract
❌ Expensive Price
❌ Coverage
✅ Reliable Speed
Best Mobile Phone Deals For Students
The mobile phone has become an integral part of our lives and can be a significant expense depending on the plan. However, it’s not always necessary to spend a lot on your mobile phone if you’re a student.
Voxi – Endless Social Media
Hands down, the perfect mobile phone contract for students is Voxi
Voxi Mobile has Endless Social Media, 5G-ready, Endless Calls and Texts, and the best part is the prices are affordable!
Take Advantage of O2 Priority
O2 Priority is a service that O2 offers to its customers. It allows customers to get priority access to the network when there is congestion, so they can continue using their phones as usual.
Mobile phones nowadays have dual sim cards, so you can buy a pay as you go sim card and top it up and be entitled to the multiple offers that o2 priority provides.
For example, if you like coffee, you can top up only £10 and claim a free Cafe Nero drink in the week. After 10 am between Monday and Thursday, you can use the O2 priority voucher to claim a free drink once every week.
Student Vouchers & Discounts
Student vouchers and discount codes are a great way to save money on your education expenses. They can also help you get the courses and programs you need for your degree. Many schools offer discounts to students who qualify, so it is essential to research what options are available to you. You may be able to get a voucher or discount code from your school, government, or private organisation. Be sure to ask around and compare different offers before selecting the best one for you. It might be a good idea to consult a list of student discounts to get the latest deals.
It is also important to remember that student vouchers and discount codes usually have expiration dates. So be sure to use them before they expire! And finally, always read the terms and conditions carefully before using any voucher or discount code.
Best Voucher and Discount Websites For Students
Students love a bargain! So they should. Why should they pay full price when they are experiencing moments in University they will never forget!
Below are our favourite Voucher & Discount websites:
Free or Reduced Applications For Students
As a student in the UK, you can get free or discounted software from various providers. Here are some of the best deals available:
Microsft Student Advantage
Apple Store for Students
Adobe Creative Cloud
Check out Software 4 Students for a large selection of products on offer for students on one website.
There are also many other providers of software discounts for students, so it’s worth doing some research to find the best deal for you. With so much great software available at a fraction of the regular price, there’s no excuse not to get started!
Car Insurance
Car insurance protects you in the event that your vehicle is involved in an accident, theft, or vandalism. Depending on your plan’s coverage, it may also cover you when you are not the driver (i.e., if someone else borrows your car and gets into an accident). Insurance can be pricey, especially if you’re in your teenage years or just recently started driving. It is important to learn good habits for driving because the better your driving record is, the lower your insurance rates are.
The average cost of car insurance in the UK is around £1,298 per year. This figure has risen 27% in just three years and continues to increase. The average cost varies depending on the type of policy, the terms and conditions included, the provider you purchase it from, your age, where you live and how many claims you have made in the past.
Car insurance costs for young drivers tend to be higher than those for older motorists because they cause accidents more often. The fact that they are new to the road and lack experience means their risk is greater than other drivers who have had years of driving practice. They are more likely to contribute to accidents in which other people are involved too.
The cost also varies according to the type of vehicle that you drive. For example, expensive cars may incur higher premiums because there is a higher chance that any damage to the car will be extensive.
Tips On Reducing Car Insurance Premiums
Shop Around
Taking time to search around for car insurance quotes could save you money. Bear in mind that car insurance comparison sites have different car insurers, so it’s best practice to ensure that you use more than just one to confirm the best price for your car. As a youngster, we expect that prices will be much higher than those over 25 years old.
Car insurance is based on the area you live in, your age, gender and where you park can affect the price of your car insurance.
Generally, your postcode is the main factor that will affect how much your car insurance costs. This comes down to the risk pool that an insurer will put you into and therefore how much they will charge. The worst areas of the UK have higher insurance costs due to a higher rate of theft, more uninsured drivers on the roads, and more accident claims.
Vehicle Insurance Group
Vehicle groups are an important factor in how much your car insurance premiums will cost. Most cars will fall within groups 1-50. Generally speaking, the lower the group, the cheaper your insurance. Check the Insurance Group of a vehicle before you purchase a car.
Black Box
This type of policy is aimed at young or inexperienced drivers with a poor track record on the roads. Using telematics to monitor your driving style can prove beneficial as you will be rewarded for staying accident-free and keeping to the speed limits.
If you are an experienced driver, you may receive the same premium as someone with your history would typically pay. However, if you have any convictions or accidents in the past, they will not go unnoticed. As the policy uses telematics, it can be declined when you phone up to renew your policy, depending on how well you’ve done in the black box.
Adding a Second Driver
When a young driver first starts driving, his or her car insurance can be costly. One way to help reduce the cost of car insurance is by adding another driver to the list of insured drivers, such as an experienced parent or guardian. This will often result in a discount because the new driver has years of experience and is considered safer/less risky than a young driver.
Pay In Full
I understand that paying for car insurance in full is not a very appealing idea, but if you pay in full, you will save £100s instead of paying monthly. Students are more short term looking than the long term. But we all learn that long term choices benefit us better in the long run.
Pay Higher Excess
insurance excess is the first part of any car insurance claim that you have to pay. Car insurance excesses can be changed from when you buy your policy to when it runs out. But, what is the point in increasing your car insurance excess? After all, isn’t a higher excess just going to mean more money for you to come up with. Raising your insurance excess will reduce your premium because the insurer deems it less of a risk.
It is probably best to think of an insurance excess as a safety net for you and the insurer. In most cases, if there is a car insurance claim, it will be the insurer paying out unless you have chosen not to have your own insurance excess on your policy.
Avoid Buying A Car If You Don’t Need It
If you don’t need a car, then don’t buy one as a student. It is not worth the expense, and it will only be an extra drain on your finances.
The purchase price of a new car is often much more than any benefit that could come from owning one. The average cost of a second-hand car in the UK is about £1500 – £2000, which means if you buy a car with finance, it could cost you up to £4000 in repayments depending on how much you pay for the vehicle.
And if that’s not enough, then there’s insurance which can be £1000 or more. And then there is fuel and tax, too – all these costs mean that even though you will have spent money initially on purchasing the car, within just a few years of ownership, your vehicle could actually become one of the most expensive things in your life.
If you are so desperately in need of transport that buying a second-hand car is really the only option open to you, then do some homework first. Make sure you get some kind of breakdown cover included when buying it (or arrange this yourself). If you have a garage or somewhere safe to store the car, then do so. It will be safer there than where it is most likely to spend most of its time – locked up on the street with all kinds of other cars and potential thieves. But also make sure you are not paying over the top for your car by getting ripped off by dealers.
And don’t buy new because you think that means better quality! You might regret this later if you spend money repairing something that’s only broken down, especially as someone studying full-time away from home. You won’t have much free cash available for these unforeseen costs which crop up when buying a second-hand vehicle.
Plus, you’ll need some funds available to pay for parking at University, public transport tickets or maybe even a taxi ride if you are unable to walk between lectures on campus.
Use Cheaper Transport
When you are a student in the UK, there is no doubt that one of your primary concerns will be how to save money on getting places. In order to keep costs down and make sure you have enough money for all the fun things going on during your studies, it pays off to look into different transport options. One way of doing this is by using cheaper forms of public transportation such as buses or trains instead of relying on taxis or cars too often.
National Rail 16 – 25 Railcard
RailCard offers students in the UK a discount of 1/3 off most rail fares. It is valid for one year and can be purchased online or at any staffed station.
The Railcard is valid on all National Rail services in Great Britain, excluding Eurostar services to France and Belgium and some ferry routes. The Railcard offers a third off most fares, but not ‘anytime’ Advance tickets, Off-Peak Day Travelcards for Zones 1-6 (including Zones 1-2 Travelcards) or ‘Saver’ tickets (which are usually the cheapest tickets available).
Facebook MarketPlace
Facebook Marketplace allows you to buy and sell things with others on Facebook, similar to eBay or Craigslist. It’s a helpful feature if you want to sell something quickly and easily and buy something locally via your phone.
If you are strapped for cash and looking for a bargain, the Facebook marketplace is perfect. You can buy second-hand electronics for a much lower price than if you were purchasing from a store or even eBay auctions online.
Tips For Selling On Facebook Marketplace
There are a few ways to make money with Facebook Marketplace. You can sell items you no longer need or use the platform to find deals on things you need. Here are a few tips for making the most of Facebook Marketplace:
– Make sure your item is priced competitively. If it’s not, it will likely sit unsold.
– Take good pictures of your item and be clear about its condition. This will help potential buyers feel confident in their purchases. Cars, for example, taking photos of them in the sun and behind an eye-catching background increases the chances of
– Be responsive to questions from buyers and be willing to negotiate on price when necessary. Don’t bother wasting your time with them if they offer a ridiculous price.
– Facebook Marketplace is within the app of Facebook. Therefore, you will see the profile of the potential buyer/seller. Avoid dealing with profiles that do not show a person’s face. Take a look at their profile for further legitimacy.
– Promote your listing if it’s an expensive item but make sure you monitor how much you spend!
– Ship items quickly and securely once they’ve been sold. This will ensure that both the buyer and seller are happy with the transaction.
Go to The Library
If you’re a student, the library should be one of your favourite places on campus. Not only is it a great place to get some quiet studying done, but it’s also home to a wealth of resources that can help you with your research assignments.
The library has books, eBooks, journals, heating, electricity and power to charge your laptop or phone. It also has a range of resources such as scanners, printers and photocopiers for an affordable way to print out coursework at a moment’s notice.
Working at home can be distracting. The library provides an environment free from distractions and full of people who want to work.
You can save money on textbooks by using the library’s collection of course books that students have been required to purchase over the years. The annual student contribution fee covers this service.
Buy Cheap Textbooks
Textbooks are an essential part of any student’s education, but they can be expensive. Luckily, there are ways to buy textbooks cheaply.
One way to get cheaper textbooks is to buy them second-hand. There are several websites where you can find used textbooks, including Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay. Another option is to check with your university or college bookstore or even have a look around in the local charity shops. This cuts costs and works out as far cheaper than buying brand new books. All the information you need on how to do this is below.
As well as buying books second-hand, there are other ways to save money. With some research and a little bit of effort, you can find the cheapest textbook option available.
Another way to buy cheap textbooks is by purchasing e-books online. Many people think these are more expensive than physical textbooks, but they can work out more affordable if you do your research. Some e-books can be bought for less than £5, and there are often discounts available if you buy more than one book at a time.
Waterstones Student Plus Card
As a student, you will be able to get benefits from many different book stores, one of them being Waterstones. They offer a Waterstones Plus Student card that gives you stamps on every purchase of £10 instore and once you have 10 stamps, you will be able to purchase a book at £10 off.
Amazon Prime For Students
Amazon Prime is one of the best places to receive discounts for students
If you are a student, you can get 6 months free and a discount membership thereafter on Amazon Prime. This membership includes super fast delivery on products and other benefits like access to Prime Video and Prime Music.
In addition to the many benefits of Amazon Prime for all members, students can also take advantage of Prime Reading. You can choose up to 10 titles at a time from more than 1,000 carefully curated books, magazines, comics and Kindle Singles.
Share Amazon Prime, Netflix and Disney+ with others
Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime are great ways to save money as a student. By sharing an account with others, you can split the cost and save money.
For example, if you have a family member or friend who also watches Netflix and wants to watch the same shows as you, then it makes sense to share an account. This way you can both watch your favourite shows and save money.
Amazon Prime offers Students 6 Month Free-Trial!
Let’s take a look at the costs of Netflix, Disney and Amazon Prime:
Streaming Platform | Starting Price | Free Trial | 4K |
Amazon Prime | £5.99 | ✔ | ✔ |
Disney + | £7.99 | ❌ | ✔ |
Netflix | £6.99 | ❌ | ✔ |
Avoid Credit Cards and Debt
Students should use credit cards sparingly or not at all. Once you have a lot of debt, it can take years to pay off, and if something happens that causes you to miss payments, your interest rate will increase even more. Students can avoid accumulating too much debt in their lives by avoiding credit cards altogether when they are still learning about personal finance. If this isn’t possible, then only get one card with low rates and limit yourself on what purchases require using the card.
Another benefit for young adults (and older ones, too) who don’t want/need a credit card but need access to instant funds would be prepaid debit cards like those offered by companies such as GreenDot, which allow you to put money on the card and then use it as if it were a credit or debit card.
Once you have a lot of debt, it can take years to pay off, and if something happens that causes you to miss payments, your interest rate will increase even more. Students can avoid the accumulation of too much debt in their lives by avoiding credit cards completely when they are still learning about personal finance. If this isn’t possible, then only get one card with low rates and limit yourself on what purchases require using the card.
Another benefit for young adults (and older ones too) who don’t want/need a credit card but need access to instant funds would be prepaid debit cards like those offered by companies such as GreenDot, which allow you to put money on the card and then use it as if it were a credit or debit card. This can help students stay out of debt while having access to the convenience that comes with using a plastic payment method.
Pay Bills On Time
When you first go to University, this may be the first time you will have complete independence and must pay bills. This is certainly a scary prospect. Before signing any contracts that include broadband, utilities, or mobile phone, make sure you can afford them by subtracting your income from your expenditures. Otherwise, if you don’t pay back what you owe on time, not only are you in debt, but your credit score will take a hit for the rest of your life. This is especially important if you use a student overdraft. If you miss a payment or go over what was agreed, then you may have to pay a late payment fee on top of paying the debt back.
Use Free Financial Debt Advice Free
Debt can be a daunting prospect at any time in your life, but especially as a student. You may not have much money coming in and you may be juggling a lot of expenses, meaning that it can be easy to get into debt without even realising it.
If you find yourself in debt, don’t panic! There are many organisations that can offer you free debt advice to get your finances back on track.
Stepchange is a UK-based charity that helps people with debt problems. One of the ways it does this is by providing free, confidential advice and support. Stepchange can help you to manage your debts, understand your options, and make a plan to get back on track.
If you are struggling to keep up with your payments, the charity can also help you to negotiate with your creditors. This might be for a reduced repayment amount or an extended repayment schedule. Stepchange will not tell your creditors to stop trying to contact you or to cancel any legal proceedings they may have started against you.
Stepchange can also help you if you are about to make a debt-relief application to the courts. This might be an application for bankruptcy, a Debt Relief Order (DRO) or a Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS). The charity is independent of the government and the insolvency profession. It does not provide legal advice and it does not tell you what option to choose. Instead, one of its trained advisers can talk about your options and guide you through the process.
Stepchange has offices in England, Wales and Scotland. You can get help from Stepchange even if you live overseas or are an ex-pat UK national. However, the services offered are slightly different in each country.
You can find out more information on the Stepchange website or by calling the charity’s free helpline. The number is 0800 138 1111 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or 0808 808 4000 (Scotland). Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm, and Saturday,
Use Cash Rather Than Card
Using cash helps you stay mindful of how much money you’re spending. When you only have a certain amount of cash to spend, you’ll be more likely to think carefully about each purchase. This can help you stick to your budget and save money on unnecessary expenses.
Another benefit of using cash is that it’s generally safer than using a card. If your card is stolen or compromised, the thief could potentially drain your account. With cash, there’s no risk of this happening since the thief would only be able to take the physical bills from you. So if you want to be extra cautious with your finances, using cash is a good way to do it.
There are plenty of other reasons why paying with cash is better than using a card. For example, many stores offer discounts for cash purchases because it’s harder to track where the money went and they often receive fewer complaints about overcharging with cash transactions. So if you want to save even more money without spending extra time or effort, use cash instead of your debit or credit cards when making purchases.
Spend On What You Need Instead Of What You Want
Spending money on only what you need instead of the products that you want will save you so much money in the long run. The number of items that I bought was based on impulse, only to find out later down the line that I didn’t use it at all.
Live At Home Or in Shared Living
Shared accommodation or staying at home can both have their benefits as a student. It is important to weigh up the pros and cons of each option to see which would be the best fit for you.
Staying at home can save you money on rent, bills and food costs. You will also have easy access to your parents’ support network if any help is needed.
However, it could be difficult to motivate yourself to study in the same place where you sleep and eat each day. There may also be little social interaction with other students, which would mean that you miss out on making new friends outside of your school network. Sharing a house or flat with many people can also lead to difficulties as you will have to maintain a cordial relationship with all of them. In shared accommodation, it can be difficult to meet new people and find out about different social events – this means that there is less scope for branching out and trying new things.
On the other hand, living in shared accommodation could lead you to make new friends and provide opportunities to get to know people from different walks of life. It can also be a great way to save money, as the cost of rent and bills is usually split between everyone in the house/flat. Additionally, you will have more social interaction, which can help with your studies, as you will have people to talk to about coursework when it becomes a bit overwhelming.
However, you will need to be able to share a kitchen and bathroom with people that you may not know very well, which could be difficult if you are not comfortable around strangers or do not want too much contact with them. If the people living in the house/flat are messy, then this can make a living there difficult, and it will be harder for you to find a space that you can call your own.
In summary, both staying at home and shared accommodation have their benefits and drawbacks. It will depend on the individual students’ preferences as to which is more suitable for them. Some people may prefer the convenience of living with family, while others may enjoy the freedom that shared accommodation provides. As long as you carefully consider each option, then it will be possible for you to make an appropriate choice on which is best for you.
Home Contents Insurance
Students can take out a few different types of home contents insurance policies.
The first is called a “Contents only” policy and this covers the loss or damage to your possessions in your home, up to a certain limit.
The second type of policy is called “All risks”, and this covers you for any losses or damages to your possessions, no matter what the cause.
The third type of policy is known as an “unoccupied property” insurance policy. If your house is left unoccupied for more than 30 days, this covers your belongings.
Finally, there is also the option of taking out the student-specific cover, which will ensure your belongings against theft or damage while they’re away from home (for example, if you’re studying abroad).
Whichever policy you choose, it’s important to make sure that your possessions are covered for their full value. It’s also good to shop around and compare prices before buying cover.
Ensuring your home contents can give you peace of mind while you’re away from home, and know that your belongings are protected in the event of any accidents or theft.
So, What Type of Home Contents Insurance Policy is Best For Students?
As with most things, it depends on your needs and budget. A “Contents only” policy may be enough if you only have a few valuable items. However, if you have lots of expensive items (or if you’re going to be leaving your belongings unattended for long periods of time), then you will probably need a more comprehensive policy, such as an “all risks” or student-specific cover.
When choosing the right home contents insurance policy, it’s important to consider what type of property you are living in (shared house? rented flat?) and how much your possessions are worth. It may be that taking out extra policies, like public liability or landlords’ damage waiver protection, would be advisable too. This can all seem very confusing at first but shopping around online is easy enough with our comparison tool, which means finding the best deal shouldn’t take long! So don’t delay, compare prices today to find your perfect fit!
Student Council Tax Discount
If there is a house of full-time students, you will be exempt from paying council tax. Make sure when you move into a house with other full-time students, you inform your local council that you are entitled to this exemption and you will be removed from the list.
Student TV License Refund or Reduced Cost
Unfortunately, you are required by law to pay for a tv licence in your household. Share the burden with your housemates to reduce the cost of watching live television.
If you’re only watching streaming services like Netflix, Disney + or Prime Video, then maybe consider letting Tv Licensing know you don’t require a tv licence.
Watching BBC Iplayer is not allowed without a tv licence.
How to Meal Prep, So That You Eat Healthier and Cut Down on Costs
So you’re at University, living away from home for the first time and trying to save money. Like any student, you want to eat healthily, but you want to save money too. Here are 5 easy steps how to meal prep at uni so that you can have healthy meals during your study breaks without spending a ton of cash. Meal prepping is one of the best things you can do if you’re serious about saving yourself time and money in the long run!
1. Have All Your Tools On Hand
This step isn’t necessary, but it makes the process less cumbersome; buy all your utensils, pots, pans, knives, plates, bowls, cups, and utensils. Place them under your bed or somewhere where you can easily access them. We have listed below products on amazon that you can purchase:
2. Buy in bulk and cook to last a few days
This way, you will be able to save money and time – cooking several dishes that take less than 2 minutes each to prepare is much faster than cooking something every day. Consider buying: rice, chicken (thighs/breasts), quinoa/rice noodles, sweet potato, spinach/kale, canned beans, frozen veggies etc. Also, check out the sales section of supermarket websites for bargains on meat and vegetables!
3. Cook Ahead So All You Need To Do Is Reheat
I recommend doing this on the weekends when you have more free time; roast off chunks of chicken breasts or thighs so that you have a large stash of cooked meat, cook a big pot of rice or noodles and store in the fridge. This way, all you need to do is take out what you want to eat, pop it in the microwave for a minute and voilà – 2 minutes later, your meal is done!
If you have rice with your meat, then you can always go for Tescos Microwaved Rice if you’re short on time. This is a great affordable option, as each bag costs £0.35 and you can usually serve 2 meals for each.
4. Store Up Veggies/Fruits as snacks
Veggies such as carrots and celery can be eaten raw as quick energy snacks if needed; cut them into bitesize pieces and put them into Tupperware containers. You can use cheese (nonfat) as an additional snack ingredient; make sure to check the label before buying.
5. Recipes & Last Minute Tips
Here are some great recipes from websites for food prep that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner:
– BBC Good Food Ideas – 29 Meal Prep Ideas
– Downshiftology – 40+ Best Meal Prep Recipes
Use Money Saving Tin Or Piggy Bank
You can use a money-saving box to save up for a specific goal. This will help you save up for something that you want and need in the long run. This can be anything from a new computer to a vacation or even a new car. If you have something you want and need, this is the best way to use your money-saving box. You can put any amount of money into it that you want. It is also important to remember not to spend the money in the box until after you have reached your goal. The best way to do this is by using a piggy bank that you can’t access until you reach your goal.
Another great way to use a money-saving box is to put money in it for emergencies. This is the best way to save up for an emergency because you can never tell when one will happen. You can put any amount of money in it that you want, and it is always good to have extra cash just in case something happens. If you are saving up for an emergency, it is important not to spend the money until after the emergency has passed. The best way to do this is by using a piggy bank that you cant access until after the emergency has passed.
Below are the best options for a Money Saving Box on Amazon:
Use Starling Bank App Spaces
Starling Bank is one of the best apps to use for saving money. The app has many features that will help you save money. One of them is being able to create a Starling Space within your account for a certain savings goal. The space feature allows you to round up payments that you make to be sent to your space and have regular payments from your main account to your space daily, weekly or monthly basis.
This feature allows you to stay In control of your money and be able to set up a monthly budget for your spending, which is great for people who have trouble sticking to a budget.
In Conclusion
As a student, we know how hard it can be to stay on top of your finances, so we hope this article helped you stay on top of your money.
Let us know in the comments if we have missed anything or if you have any better ideas that can be passed on!
Thanks for these top tips! Every student needs help saving money