You've all come to London with some sort of budget in mind, but the real trouble is sticking to it. With so many things to do and sights to see, it can be hard to keep an eye on your spending. This is why we've compiled a list of the best ways to avoid burning a hole in your wallet.
Use these helpful tools to keep track of your spending habits (in other words, use these to see how much you're really spending at Pret each week):
It's true, the simplest way to save money is to cook at home! There are plenty of inexpensive grocery stores to chose from such as Lidl, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. Even “higher-end” stores like Waitrose price match Tesco on many of its own items.
Try and avoid the smaller versions of these stores (Tesco Metro, Sainsbury's Local etc.), they tend to be more expensive, even though it's the same shop! Bigger is better when it comes to supermarkets.
If you can’t find the motivation to go food shopping by yourself, bring along your flatmate and take advantage of BOGOF (buy one get one free) and other deals that will make checking out easier on your wallet.
Whether you’re travelling to Europe or within the UK, there are many ways to find cheaper, or even discounted rates.
With the 16-25 Railcard you save 30% on all trains throughout the UK. While, there’s usually a charge for the travel cards, they end up paying for themselves with your first booking so even if you only use it once, it’s worth it.
You can find some great deals on websites such as EasyJet and RyanAir, but make sure you’re following their travel restrictions (i.e. size of carry-on).
Take advantage of websites/apps like Opodo and Skyscanner that search dozens of websites to find you the best available deals, but keep in mind that when searching for flights online, it’s best to use a private browser since booking sites use cookies to track visitor behaviour (which may result in your paying a higher fare).
Although booking a flight every weekend to a new European destination sounds like the study abroad dream, it can also make your semester very costly. Instead, take the time to see what’s right on your doorstep!
Want to see the coast? Travel to Brighton (often called ‘London by the sea’), Cornwall, or Wales. In need of some green space? Visit The Highlands in Scotland or explore national parks such as the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Peak District and Dartmoor.
Happy money-saving!