By Amberina, BSc(Hons) Forensic Science student.
Final year student, Amberina, shares her tips on managing her money at UWE Bristol. She tells us how she saves money in three key areas: money management and budgeting, technology and study resources, and socialising and leisure. Keep reading to find out more.
Continue reading “How I manage my money as a UWE Bristol student.”By Hannah, MSci Forensic Science
Joining university as an 18-year-old was a little daunting, as it was the first time I’ve ever had to budget my money since leaving home. It really opened my eyes to how quickly money disappears unless you prioritise your spending.
Learning how to budget
In a time when rents have been increasing, I’ve had to prioritise paying my rent rather than spending money on doing fun stuff. However, I found that choosing a house with bills included made me less stressed, as I know exactly how much money I need to save every month for rent. Also, l found searching for houses early gave me the best chance to find a house within my budget.
Eating well for less
Most days during exam season I spend long days at the library. It can be very easy to eat junk food as it’s simply more convenient but can be far more expensive. So, I often prepare a meal to take to eat at the library as I find this saves me so much money rather than buying a meal deal every day. I also buy from the fruit and veg stand at the University, as it’s significantly cheaper than supermarkets and allows me to have a healthy snack whilst working.
As you can imagine, students spend a lot of money on food and drinks as it’s such an important part of socialising with friends. Personally, I’ve had to limit how much I spend on food and drink each week as it is very easy to spend too much. One way I’ve managed to save money is by taking advantage of the free meals available at the Students’ Union. It’s so easy as you just bring your own container and get a completely free meal in return.
It has really opened my eyes to how quickly money disappears unless you prioritise your spending.
Take advantage of the support at the Students’ Union
Another scheme UWE Bristol offer is the ‘bring a bag to campus’ scheme, where you bring your own bag to the Students’ Union and fill it full of free food and household essentials. These events take place on campus often and are advertised on the Students’ Union social media accounts.
As a student there is a temptation to go out socialising with friends more often, however now I’m going into my fourth year of university, it’s more difficult to afford to go out as much, as I have to prioritise my money for essentials. Although I do feel it’s really important to have a break from university work, so I always try and save a small amount every month for socialising. I also try to pick up a few extra shifts when possible, so I have some money to spend on myself.
Making the most of the discounts available
I also find making use of student discount apps such as ‘Unidays’ and ‘Student Beans’ have saved me lots of money during my time at university. There are discounts for practically everything as a student. I’ve found it most useful when going out for meals as so many restaurants in Bristol offer student deals.
There are also lots of travel offers, which makes travelling home from university less expensive. I’ve made use of the ’16-25 railcard’ and discounted coach tickets, which has allowed me to travel more for less.
Even though we’re living in a cost-of-living crisis, you can still have a good time at university. With some careful budgeting and the support available, it’s all possible.
Discover more about managing your student finances at UWE Bristol.
By Laila, BSc(Hons) Biomedical Science
Life as a student in Bristol is fun and exciting, and even though we’re in a cost-of-living crisis, there are many ways to stretch your student budget further. Here are some helpful tips that help me to budget and save money.
Meal planning to save money
I’ve always loved cooking and really enjoy choosing what new meals to make. So, I decided to learn how to make the most out of my meals and save money by meal planning, cooking in batches and shopping smart. I try to fit meal planning into my weekly schedule. I start by looking for my inspiration on budget-friendly, ‘easy to prepare’ recipes on TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram and then I create my shopping list. When I shop, I always look for discounts and deals, and try to buy store-branded items, as you can save loads doing this.
When I’m on Frenchay Campus, I head over to the fruit and veg stall in E block and buy some ingredients there. They have loads of fruit and vegetables from local suppliers for very affordable prices. I tend to prepare larger portions to cook in batch as the leftovers serve as great future meals and can be frozen for my busier days – saving both time and money.
Life as a student in Bristol is fun and exciting, and even though we’re in a cost-of-living crisis, there are many ways to stretch your student budget further.
The Students’ Union events
The Students’ Union at UWE Bristol host events to help you with the cost-of-living. My housemates and I went to the Students’ Union with our own containers to fill with hot food to either freeze, or eat for lunch/dinner – and this is all for free.
They also host other events like this to help students with the cost-of-living such as the ‘bring your own bag event’, where you can go along to fill your bag with lots of household items and food products – all for free.
They also offer many fun activities to do for free, which is a great way to save money and a good alternative to going out. My friends and I are going to the ‘Potheads’ workshop to make some clay plant pots, which is a fun activity to do on a budget.
Cost-effective, eco-friendly travel
When I moved to Bristol, I knew it was called a ‘cycling city’, so, when I moved into my first-year house, I bought a second-hand bike to cycle to campus. It’s not only faster than the bus or walking, but I save money on bus fares and get daily exercise that energises me for the day.
UWE Bristol also has a bike loan scheme that allows you to hire a bike for the year for free, with a £40 refundable deposit. There are some great cycling routes to take advantage of, while saving money on transport and helping the environment too.
So even though we’re in a cost-of-living crisis, there are many ways to stretch your budget and still have a great time at university.
Discover more about managing your student finances at UWE Bristol.
By Jessica, BA(Hons) English Language and Linguistics
Living as a student in Bristol has been an incredible adventure filled with exciting new experiences, academic growth, and valuable life lessons. Throughout my journey at the UWE Bristol, I’ve discovered how to tap into what’s on offer to make living costs more manageable. Here in this blog, I’m going to delve deeper into how I’ve been able to stretch my budget further while here. This includes everything from affordable public transport, diverse job opportunities, student discounts, and cheap eats.
Public transport discounts
Bristol’s public transport is both convenient and affordable and commuting in Bristol is easy. First Bus, the city’s primary bus operator, goes the extra mile to support students by offering discounts. Whether you’re heading to lectures, exploring Bristol’s beautiful parks, or discovering hidden gems, the bus network has become an essential part of my daily routine. Not only do the discounts make getting around more affordable, but they also encourage students like me to embrace all that Bristol has to offer.
Lots of job opportunities
Bristol’s vibrant economy is teeming with diverse job opportunities, making it an ideal place for students to earn while they learn. There are plenty of part-time jobs available in retail and hospitality, which is ideal to fit around your studies.
Bristol’s vibrant economy is teeming with diverse job opportunities.
Student discounts and benefits
As a student city, Bristol really values its students and there are so many discounts available using the TOTUM card. This student discount card opens doors to huge savings. From discounted cinema tickets to gym memberships and more, the TOTUM card has become a trusted companion for students looking for fun activities they can afford. Being able to unwind with friends at the movies or maintain a healthy lifestyle at a reduced cost supports our budget and enhances our overall university experience.
Great food at a price you can afford
Bristol’s food scene offers a tantalising mix of flavours, catering to all tastes and budgets. Among the many culinary discoveries I’ve made, one that stands out is the fruit and veg stall on Frenchay Campus. This hidden gem offers an array of fresh produce at incredibly reasonable prices, allowing students like me to maintain a healthy diet on a budget. Also UWE Bristol is great at providing a wide range of good, affordable food on campus without putting a strain on our wallets.
My time here at UWE Bristol has been unforgettable and despite the cost-of-living crisis, it is possible to have a great time and find ways to live well on a student budget.
Discover more about managing your student finances at UWE Bristol.
By Maria, BSc(Hons) Criminology with Psychology
As a final-year student, I know the struggle of having spent years saving. There are always challenges beyond our control and the rising cost-of-living is one such challenge we all face. I soon realised that I needed to adapt my lifestyle to survive these difficult times financially. So let’s take a look at my tips to help you save money too.
I soon realised that I needed to adapt my lifestyle to survive these difficult times financially.
Consider your transport costs
For people who work part-time and only work a few days each week, instead of using a weekly bus pass, use the 2-trip pass. I only work a few days per week, and I don’t really go out often, so that’s why I now use the 2-trip (return) bus pass, which is £2.70, whereas a whole week would cost me £18.80. This has saved me loads of money – so that’s £10 to save in my piggy bank.
Take advantage of the many Students’ Union offers
If you can’t live without your mocha frappés at Starbucks, especially during hot summer months, the struggle is real. One thing I really love now are the offers you get from the Students’ Union. From iced lattés to lemon water to the ‘bring a bag’ days on campus where you can fill your bag with free food, there’s so much on offer. They post every offer and activity available on Instagram and in the student comms too, so you need to keep an eye out for any updates. The free food giveaways at the Students’ Union offer a great selection of vegetarian and meat options – it’s a fun thing to do with your mates. What is not to like about freebies after all, especially when you’re a student.
Find your inner chef
One of the things many of us don’t enjoy is … cooking. For me, Fridays are for takeaways or going to that Italian restaurant at Cabot Circus in the centre. But remember the more money you save, the better it is for you.
You can definitely save money by cooking your own meals more. That recipe you liked on Instagram last year would come in handy now, especially if it’s student friendly. I was really pleased as I managed to make five meals for £10 – my parents were very impressed. There are Instagram accounts specifically catering for student budget meals that taste as good as those from a pub or restaurant. Also, those TikTok videos from student chefs will save you a ton of time prepping, buying, and cooking rather than paying for the bus ticket and spending it elsewhere.
I was really pleased as I managed to make five meals for £10.
Save, save, save
We can all focus on saving if we really want to and when we need to. Just think of all that money you save can go towards those ever-increasing bills. Also, changing the way you think can help you to change your lifestyle and often this is for the better. Despite these hard economic times, you can still have a good time like seeing your mates for a coffee at the Students’ Union or making a meal with friends at home. There are plenty of opportunities for connecting with people, without all the expense.
Discover more about managing your student finances at UWE Bristol.
