Are you an international student in the UK facing financial issues? Know that getting a part-time job isn’t enough to overcome the monetary challenges. Practising money-saving tips is an additional step you should take to minimize your unnecessary expenses and live without any financial stress. Trust us, it will let you focus on your academics without worry and help you save money for different adventures.
The internet is full of money-saving tips, but they all are worth an attempt. Most don’t help much but don’t get anxious, as we understand your desires. Therefore, we carried out thorough research and hand-picked eight pro-money-saving tips.
Excited to explore them? Let’s scroll below!
8 Pro Tips To Save Money When International Students Moving To The UK
1. Share A Flat
If you want to reside in a flat while studying in the UK, know that rents are expensive. According to a proven study, Brits typically spend almost 40% of their income on their home, compared to a European average of 28%.
Sharing a flat is the best solution here to keep your costs down and make new friends during your academic life. SpareRoom and Gumtree are the top-rated platforms to find a flatshare in the UK. You can also participate in events, such as Flatmating, to find potential flatmates you would like to accommodate with.
2. Open A Local Bank Account
Many international students make the mistake of opening a bank account, specifically for foreign tutees. That one is on the pricier side and provides fewer opportunities to save money. Therefore, create a local bank account once you arrive in the United Kingdom. Trust us, your life will become much easier (and affordable) with this step.
You’ll need two documents: one to prove your identity and the other to confirm your address. Research hidden bank charges upon sending or receiving money from abroad to try to avoid them. Wisely choose an international money transfer system to avoid bad exchange rates.
3. Grab Student In-person And Online Discounts
Connect with your classmates who are aware of student discounts or ask about them in online academic groups. Grabbing the ones you see online and in person will tremendously save you money and avoid financial constraints. Get a National Union of Students (NUS) TOTUM card, as this membership will give you access to a plethora of student discounts.
Besides, you may need to collaborate with reputable proofreading services UK to submit your significant academic papers without any errors. Hire UK-based agencies that are the most affordable and offer seasonal discounts to save you money.
4. Smartly Shop Sustainable Products
England has a wide range of supermarkets of different sizes, offering selections, and affordability levels. We suggest you head to Morrisons, Lidl, or Aldi, the most student-friendly supermarket in the UK.
A basic weekly shop in these places would cost approximately £20 to 30. Buy in bulk and shop at the store’s closing time, plus get your hands on quality food items without the price tag. Implementing these money-saving tips would let you live and focus on your studies without any financial stress.
5. Avoid Dining Out And Cook Yourself
You can’t afford to dine out in routine if you want to live on a limited budget as an international student in the UK. Dining out once in a while is okay, but you need to survive on home-cooked meals for the time. It would save you hundreds, if not thousands of pounds per academic year. Isn’t it cool, right? Prepare the majority of your meals at home. It is a time to pick up a new life skill if you don’t know how to cook.
You can purchase a recipe book or watch YouTube tutorials to understand the cooking process of different food dishes. If your schedule doesn’t allow you to cook during weekdays, plan and prepare your meals on weekends, then freeze them. If sharing your accommodation, you can also split the cost of ingredients and take cooking turns to save time, plus money.
6. Buy Second-Hand Clothing, Academic, & Home Products
Buy second-hand textbooks and other items to save money easily, quickly, and sustainably. You can buy books from your senior or through online platforms, such as Amazon second-hand and eBay. You can also look for charity shops to get what you want and contribute financially to meaningful causes. Oxfam, the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research, and Shelter and Mind are prominent UK-based charity shops that should be considered.
Vinted and Depop are popular second-hand buying and selling platforms specifically for clothing and accessories. These are the top choices of financially savvy and environmentally conscious students. Platforms like Gumtree, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace are suitable for getting used yet good quality kitchen utensils and furniture.
Another way to save your money is by refining your academic papers rather than outsourcing from online manuscript editing services UK. You should consider this tip only if you have decent proofreading skills, otherwise don’t take risks and seek professional assistance.
7. Get Food & Household Freebies
People and businesses are giving away high-value items, such as food, clothes, household stuff, and even plants for free via some online UK platforms. Look for them to get some quality freebies, otherwise connect with people who are happily giving away useful items in your neighborhood.
Community freecycling is another winner when it comes to the free exchange of items, such as clothing, electronics, and household goods. Join multiple local groups and keep an eye on the stuff available for free to promptly grab the needed ones. You and the giver can arrange pick-up timing, plus location to get freebies as soon as possible.
8. Make Affordable Transportation Choices
Luckily, you don’t need to have your car to travel to London or other UK cities. You can travel via buses or trains by swiping your contactless card. In case, you don’t have it, so grab your Oyster card from a tick office and it will do the same job. For traveling far away via train or airplane, book your ticket online as in advance as possible. Also, check out their official website to look for money-saving deals.
You can use CommuterClub to pay in monthly installments for expensive tickets. Besides, consider ride-sharing services, such as Uber, as they are the cheapest than traditional taxis in most cities. The most economical way to travel long distances in England is through a coach, such as Megabus or National Express.
FAQ’s
· How to save money as an international student in the UK?
Select the right student bank account and search for students’ special discount schemes. Shop food from affordable marts and avoid its wastage. Buy second-hand textbooks and borrow from the library as much as you can. Purchase apparel that is both functional and versatile, allowing you to mix and match to create various stylish outfits. Plus, get a high-paying part-time job.
· How can international students make extra money in the UK?
Conducting online surveys, paid searches, testing, and reviewing can help you make extra money from your accommodation. Freelancing and tutoring are more reliable money-making options.
· Can I open a savings account as an international student in the UK?
Yes, some UK banks offer accounts particularly designed for the needs of international students. However, they usually have a monthly operating fee system. If possible, we suggest you open a bank account aimed at students once you have arrived in the UK. It comes with typical perks, like discounts, letting you save some extra cash.
Wrap Up
Money discussions usually feel heavy, but hopefully, you would have enjoyed exploring our pro-money-saving tips. Implement them as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary expenses and save some extra cash to fulfill your desires. Keep in mind that budgeting well is really important for making the right use of your money. We hope you liked what you read. Do share with your international buddies studying in the UK to extend your helping hand.