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How to Save Money in UK? Best Tips & Benefits

If you are planning to study or move to the UK, then you must be aware that the UK is one of the most expensive countries to live in. It has a high cost of housing in major cities like London, Cambridge, Oxford, and Bristol. However, the UK has a higher cost of living as compared to many other European countries. Thus, it becomes important for each person to save money in the UK. So, this blog is all about how to save money in UK along with budget-friendly tips. Let’s dive into it.

How to Save Money in UK|Gradding homes.com

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Top Money Saving Tips in UK for Every International Student

The UK is expensive for international students due to high living costs, mainly in cities like London, where rent and basic expenses are higher compared to other cities. So how can students manage their costs in the UK? To get the answer follow the below tips to save money in UK for international students.

1. Saving on Accommodation

One of the biggest expenses that usually come across is student accommodation in UK and rent. Here are some tips that you can follow to manage your budget for accommodation without disturbing your bank account every month.

1. Shared Housing

  • One of the ways to save money in UK is the shared housing. Living with your friend and sharing one place can split the cost of rent and utilities with roommates.
  • By sharing costs, students may be able to afford housing in more desirable neighbourhoods than they might not be able to afford alone.
  • Shared housing in the UK can reduce your monthly rent cost as you only need to pay a portion of the total bills and rent.
  • Many shared houses are fully furnished, which automatically reduces the need to purchase your furniture and appliances.

2. Student Accommodation Deals

  • The another useful way to save money in UK, is to explore student accommodation options or deals. These deals have discounted rates or special promotions designed for students.
  • You can use offers such as early bird booking deals, student discounts, and referral bonuses. Furthermore, it sometimes also includes utilities in the price.
  • In some cases, you can also negotiate the rent with the landlord, if you are planning to stay for a longer period.
  • You can save money in UK,by booking your room well in advance.

2. Saving on Transportation

Life in UK is simple and fast with easy access to transportation. However, there are some techniques to save money on transportation in the UK, as there are many options available in the UK. Look below for what you can do.

1. Public Transportation Passes

  • Investing in the student bus or rail bus is the best way to save money in UK when it comes to your transportation costs.
  • Most cities in UK offer the student oyster cards that are used for journeys on public transport with “pay as you go.”
  • Travel card allows you unlimited travel on specific public transport options within the selected zones for a set period. (e.g. daily, weekly, monthly)
  • Available for UK students, allowing unlimited travel on buses and trams for a set period.

Also Read: Student Life in London

2. Car Sharing

  • Carpooling or car sharing is one of the smart ways to save money in UK. It has a facility for sharing arrangements with classmates, colleagues, or friends to share the cost of fuel and parking.
  • Connect on Social Media with other car-poolers and arrange suitable pick-up and drop-off locations.
  • Car sharing not only saves money but also reduces traffic which is an eco-friendly option.
  • Car sharing in the UK is available through services like Enterprise Car Club, Zip car, and Turo.

3. Reducing Utility Bills

Saving utility bills is one of the great ways to save money in UK. Thus, look down at the following tips below that you can follow while living in the UK.

1. Unnecessary Usage of Appliances

  • Turn off lights and fans when you don’t use them, and consider switching to energy-efficient light bulbs.
  • Use appliances during specific times of the day.
  • Get a smart meter that can help you manage your energy usage.
  • Use ceiling fans as it uses less energy than air conditioning.

2. DIY Skills

  • Students must use the Internet and learn the basic DIY skills to save money on basic small fixes and repairs.
  • By learning the DIY skills you can learn basic plumbing like fixing leaked taps, basic home repairs, and measuring and leveling. Through this, you can save your money in the UK.

4. Budget Friendly Entertainment

You must have access to “Budget Friendly Entertainment” that is affordable and doesn’t need a lot of money. However, look down at the following tips through which you can save your money in the UK.

1. Visit Free Places

  • Visit the free museums like the British Museum or Natural History Museum, and exploring the local markets.
  • Save money in UK by getting a free library card and browsing books for free, providing hours of entertainment.
  • Many cities offer free walking tours, allowing you to see the sights while getting exercise.

2. Enjoy Community Events and Activities

  • Some theatres and art galleries offer “pay what you can” entry, allowing you to explore cultural experiences at a price that you can afford.
  • Check the listings for free community events such as concerts, festivals, or art exhibitions.
  • Money in UK can be saved by watching movies with your friends at home.

5. Saving on Food and Groceries

You can save money in the UK, by not eating outside food and spending on groceries unnecessarily. However, below are the tips to follow for saving money in the UK.

1. Meal Planning

  • A good life in UK can be lived by planning your meals in advance and cooking at home.
  • Spend a few hours once a week and make a whole list of groceries that you will need for the whole week (or at least for three days)
  • Check what ingredients you have and what you need to buy.

2. Compare Prices

  • You must compare the price by weight, not by the shown displayed price.
  • Look for how much each product costs per 100g
  • Take benefits of discounts and offers on the grocery items.

Overall, these are the tips on how to save money in UK, based on the five important factors. The next section will let you know how can you start saving money as soon as you land in the UK.

How Do I Start Saving Money in UK?

If you are wondering how you can start saving your money while living in the UK, then it is good for you. In this section, we have mentioned the six most important factors on how to save the money in UK. Let’s grab a look at each one of them.

1. Set a Budget and Review It Regularly

Start by making a weekly or monthly budget, and use a budget planner to help yourself. Make sure to check your budget before each payday to check whether you’re on profit or loss. Further, if you think you have spent more in a particular area, then try to identify ways to reduce the cost in that category.

2. Save Money on the Food Shop

Save money in UK by planning your meals before heading to the supermarket. However, many supermarkets in the UK offer some kind of loyalty scheme, and it’s clever to sign up for a free points card. Also, this will often give you money-off vouchers or discounts.

3. Keep Your Energy Bills Down

To save money in UK, you need to keep your gas and electricity bills down by checking your monthly bill and data. You can save your money by changing your switching suppliers. Also, turn off the lights and fans when you are not using them at your home.

4. Find a Part-Time Job

To add extra money to your account, you can explore working in the UK, once you are at the university. Your student visa will allow you to work up to 20 hours a week during the time and full-time vacation period. However, you can also consider this work as your internship, which will be reflected in your CV.

5. Personal Accommodation

You can save a lot of money if you have your accommodation or even in sharing. Whether you find student accommodation in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, or anywhere try to find it in sharing. Through this, you will save the money in UK.

6. Save Money with Public Transport

Money in UK can be saved by travelling on local buses or rail and then buying multiple small journey tickets. See if you can take the public transport passes weekly/monthly for your use. However, most cities in UK offer the student oyster cards that are used for journeys on public transport with “pay as you go.”

Overall, these are some factors to consider for living a long and good life in UK. In the next section, you will explore some smart financial habits for long-term savings.

Smart Financial Habits for Long-Term Savings in UK

Building good money or financial habits is a key to long-term success. From budgeting and saving to responsible borrowing and investing everything is essential. Thus, this section will let you know how to save money in UK for long-term success.

1. Monitor Transactions: Monitoring your transactions is vital for achieving financial goals. You must regularly keep track of bank and credit card statements that provide insights into spending habits and ultimately the potential savings.

2. 50/30/20 Rule: To save money in UK, the 50/30/20 rule is a popular budgeting guideline that can make the process easy. Allocating 50% of income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt repayment. However, the ratio can be different.

3 Avoid Impulsive Buying: Don’t buy anything on the spot. Spend the time researching and comparing the prices instead. However, there are many products whose prices decrease over time.

4 Start Saving and Investing: UK students must build emergency savings which is a common step, as it helps provide a financial safety net for unexpected or unpredicted expenses.

These are some financial habits for long-term savings in the UK. The next section will let you know some of the government schemes that help in saving money in the UK.

Government Schemes and Benefits That Helps in Saving Money in UK

To live a good life in UK, the government of the UK has made some schemes that help to save money for students. Thus, in this section, we have mentioned the 10 schemes and what they offer that will be beneficial for you to save money in the UK.

1 16-25 Railcard- 1/3 off train fares for young people.

2 Student Finance- Helps cover living costs.

3 NHS Low Income Scheme- Financial support for healthcare costs.

4 Child Trust Fund (CHF)- Long-term savings for those who are born between 2002-2011.

5 Council Tax Discount- Full exemption for full-time students

6 Free School Meals- Support for eligible students in education.

7 Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)- Covers extra costs due to disability.

8 Local Travel Discounts- Many councils offer student bus/travel discounts.

Overall, these are the government schemes to save money in UK. In the next section, you will find out some of the common mistakes that need to be avoided when trying to save money in the UK.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Save Money in UK

When it comes to saving money in the UK, specifically when you’re on a tight budget, consistency is key. However, students still make mistakes that need to be avoided. Thus, this section has listed out some errors or faults made while saving money in UK.

  • Not keeping track of budget and expenses makes it hard to identify the areas where you have lost.
  • A lack of having emergency funds can create problems.
  • Saving without a goal is useless. You must have a set goal so according to that only you will be able to save money.
  • Unnecessary spending the money is one of the major mistakes.
  • Whether you’re travelling or going somewhere, you need to have insurance. Not having the correct insurance creates problems.
  • UK students sometimes indulge in miscommunication about money and made illogical decisions. This will lead to the problem of saving money.

Conclusion

To conclude, we discussed the tips on how to save money in UK, based on the following factors. Further, we also had a brief look at some financial habits for long-term savings and common mistakes to avoid while saving money in the UK. This blog has helped you to understand in a better way how can you save money in the UK. Still, if you have some doubts regarding the UK, then connect with us! Our consultants at Graddinghomes.com will let you know about the best places to live in UK, accommodation, and jobs to pursue.

FAQs

1 How Do I Save Money in the UK?

You can save money in UK by following some methods that are mentioned below.

1 Keep your energy bills down

2 Establish some saving goals

3 Track your spending

4 Give the credit card a break

5 Quit the gym

6 Start a side hustle

2 Can I Live on £1,000 a Month in the UK?

Living in London as a student with £1,000 a month is challenging but with careful planning and budgeting, it can be done. It will depend on various factors such as accommodation choices, lifestyle, and willingness to manage your finances accurately.

3 What’s the UK Average Salary?

The average salaries in the UK have risen significantly over the years. In 2022, the average earnings for full-time employees were £33,061. By 2023, the average salary increased by 5.7%, reaching £34,963.

4 What Is the 70/20/10 Rule?

With this budget method, 70% of your income covers your expenses, while 20% goes to your wants and 10% to your savings.

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