Living on a Budget: A Student’s Go-To Guide
- Jan 27
- 2 min read
University can be challenging. It’s often a person’s first real step to independence, especially if they have moved away from home. This is why it’s very important to keep your finances well-ordered for an stress-free, enjoyable experience.
In the UK, in 2025 statistics showed the top three shops that were the cheapest for weekly shopping were Aldi, Lidl and Asda, so try sticking with these.
There are nine important factors to keep in mind to stay financially stable whilst at University:
Avoid eating out! - learning to cook will help you gain an important life skill, save money weekly, and also generate healthier meals, which will help with productivity.
Track your spending - if financial support is given, create a budget for your food, as it will ensure you have enough money for all aspects of your life.
Create weekly meal plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner - you will be able to work out costs more easily.
Use unbranded products - they tend to be cheaper than branded ones.
Buy certain products in bulk - products like rice, oats, or pasta can be cheaper if bought in larger quantities, which will in turn last longer.
Buy frozen fruit and veg to cook with - they are cheaper, last longer and can be used for all three meals of the day.
Buy fruit and vegetables that are in season.
Always repurpose leftovers - you can easily create new meals from meals you haven’t managed to finish during the week, and will have a run-on effect of saving food for the following week.
Use deals and vouchers to your advantage - they lower your prices and can often leave you with more food to use for cheap.
Some easy ideas that I’ve used in the past are breakfast burritos, as they can be stored in the freezer and are a cheap, filling meal. For lunch, I’ve made rice bowls and snack boxes that contain dips, crackers, fruits/vegetables or simple sandwiches. For dinner, bolognese is the meal I use and make the most, as you can make it for less than ten pounds and get around five to six portions out of it. Stir-frys are a close second.
The main thing to remember is to be responsible, and if in doubt, the internet or social media will always be able to help you and point you in the right direction.
Written by, Alexis South
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