Whether you are heading into first or third year in September, you are bound to be thinking about the best ways to stick to that scarily tight budget in the months ahead. If you’re moving into your university run halls of residence or alternative shared accommodation in your university city – we have a few top tips to help you make your money go further when living in shared accommodation.
Saving money in your first year accommodation
Living in your university run halls of residence or shared student accommodation is a great way to get to know people at your university, and whether you’re in a catered or non-catered residence we have great tips to help you keep your domestic expenditure nice and low.
Non-catered halls
Cook in bulk for your flat and freeze the leftovers – eating in as a group is just as much fun as going out to eat and only a fraction of the cost. Five top meals for those on a budget that are guaranteed to keep all those hungry mouths happy are:
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Stir fry with a protein element of your choice
- Tuna pasta bake with cheese
- Chilli con carne
- Curry
Shop around your nearby supermarkets for the best priced ingredients, particularly when shopping for tuna and cheese which have a tendency to be horrifyingly expensive, and between a group you’re sure to see the cost of eating deplete drastically. Similarly, as the end of term approaches and meat suddenly turns into an unattainable luxury, pad out your meals with lots of low cost vegetables to stretch your food out even further.
All shared accommodation
Whether you will be living in catered or non-catered shared accommodation this September, splitting the cost of pre-drinks is a great way to save money on your overall night out. Student nights tend to make a minimal dent in your budget, however, having a few drinks before you head out can save you even more money – particularly when you split the cost of those drinks between a group.
If you are taking your car with you to uni, why not suggest to your friends that you will be the designated driver for the weekly shop or a night out each week that will only cost them your petrol money rather than a bus or taxi?
Once the mayhem of freshers week has worn off and you have established some new friendships with your fellow course mates, you can suggest that a few of you cut costs by sharing textbooks. This could save you a lot of money in the long run as well as giving you the opportunity to work together and share ideas.
Author Bio
Danielle Middleton is a digital content writer at The Student Housing Company; the student accommodation provider with a difference. Since 2011 The Student Housing Company has been forging firm relationships with universities throughout the UK and providing premier, modern accommodation for their students throughout their university careers.
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