Smart Student Budgeting Tips for a Fun Lifestyle
By Jo Campbell
The cost-of-living crisis is hitting students hard. A survey from the NUS-USI union revealed that 84% of students are constantly worried about their finances, with a third skipping a meal, and one in five going without heating [1]. Balancing uni work whilst taking extra hours at a part-time job to afford rising rent prices can feel overwhelming. Whilst budgeting might not sound exciting, it doesn’t mean you need to cut down on fun. It is all about being smarter with your choices and saving some money. Here are some practical (and most importantly enjoyable) ways to stretch your student loan a little further.
- Second-Hand Shopping – Because Vintage is Cool
When it comes to needing clothes, whether for internships or placements or even for day-to-day wear, second-hand shopping is the best place to find unique and cool clothes. Some of my best finds have come from an afternoon browsing the charity shops on Botanic, including Marie Curie, Cancer Research, British Red Cross, and Oxfam. My tip is to go early in the morning when the new stock is out. Not only can charity shopping help you build a unique wardrobe on a budget, but your money also goes towards a good cause.
Be sure to also sell your preloved clothes! Depop, Vinted, and eBay make it easy to list your used clothing for some extra cash. All you need is a phone to take pictures of your items, packaging to wrap your items in, and your local post office. I recommend reusing old parcel packaging to save money and reduce plastic waste. We currently have enough clothes on the planet to do the next six generations, so save your budget and the planet by avoiding the high street for purchasing clothes [2].
- Meal Prepping – Eat Well and Spend Less
Cooking every day can feel like a chore, and with deadlines fast approaching it can be tempting to live off takeaways that will use up a lot of your budget. Meal planning is an easy way to save money, eat better, and reduce waste. At the start of the week plan what you will eat for the next 7 days and in your food shop, only buy the ingredients you need. Choose a day (I do it on Sundays) to do your food shop, and then cook in batches, portioning and planning each meal for the week. Meal prepping not only saves you time in just having to heat pre-prepared foods and stops you from wasting ingredients, but bulk-buying also saves you money!
- Student Discounts – Never Pay Full Price
The best thing about being a student is the student discount. Student discounts are available for everything, from food and cosmetics to travel. This is a great way to get what you need without breaking your budget. Apps such as UNiDAYS and Student Beans show the latest student discount deals that you can take advantage of. I recommend even asking in person at the till if the shop offers student discounts to save some extra cash. Some good deals include Amazon Prime’s 6 months free for students, and Boots and Superdrug 10% discount. Be sure to also take advantage of 50% off bus and rail journeys by signing up for a Translink yLink Card, available for all 16–23-year-olds in NI. I recommend carrying your Student ID everywhere, so you never miss out on a discount!
- Explore the Great Outdoors – and Gain Some Free Hobbies
A great way to save money is to cut out expensive gym memberships or fitness classes from your budget by simply exercising outside. Belfast is surrounded by beautiful parks and hiking spots, making it easy to pick up a new, free hobby. Running is one of my favourites, and all you need is a pair of trainers. If you are new to running, I recommend following the Couch to 5k programme [3]. This transformed me from being someone who could not run for one minute to going out on runs frequently for fun. My favourite routes are Ormeau Park and the River Lagan, with smooth surfaces and picturesque views. Not only does running keep you fit, but it also saves you from paying for expensive gym memberships and saves money within your budget.
Budgeting as a student does not mean you have to miss out. Whether it is finding unique bargains in charity shops, planning tasty meals, making the most out of student discounts, or gaining new outdoor hobbies, there are plenty of ways to save money while still having fun.
Sources:
[1] Bain, M. (2024). “‘Harrowing’ findings in new survey depict financial struggles of NI students” Belfast Telegraph, 7 Feb 2024. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/harrowing-findings-in-new-survey-depict-financial-struggles-of-ni-students/a1701949583.html
[2] BBC, (2024). “Do we have enough clothes for the next six generations?” BBC, 9 November 2024. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0k37dhv
[3] NHS, (2023). “Get running with Couch to 5k” NHS, 5 Oct 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/
