Cutting everyday costs: food, books, transport and subscriptions

Small, repeated costs decide whether your money lasts the term. You do not need to be miserable to save: a few systems for food, books, travel and subscriptions free up money for what you actually care about.

Food: the biggest cost you control

• MoneyHelper's tips for students: make a shopping list and stick to it, cook easy dishes in bulk and freeze portions, and choose supermarket own-brand or reduced items.
• Plan around three or four base meals you can cook well (see the Kitchen Skills module) and rotate them, instead of deciding hungry at 9pm.
• Takeaways and delivery apps add delivery and service fees on top of menu prices. Set a weekly limit, for example one delivery a week, and enjoy it.
• Shop once a week with a list, eat before you go, and check the reduced section near closing time.
• Carry a water bottle and make coffee or karak at home: GBP 3 a day on drinks, five days a week, is GBP 15 a week, or GBP 180 over a 12-week term.

Books and course materials

• MoneyHelper warns that university books can be much more expensive than books you have bought before, and suggests borrowing from the library or buying second-hand.
• Before buying, check the reading list for 'essential' versus 'recommended' items, and see whether the library has an e-book version.
• Ask students in the year above: many sell or give away last year's books and equipment.
• Ask your university IT service which software is free for students before paying for any licence.

Transport

• MoneyHelper suggests using student travel deals and booking in advance for extra savings, for example with a 16-25 Railcard or a Student Oyster Photocard in London.
• Compare a monthly or termly pass with pay-as-you-go using your real number of trips. A pass only saves money if you use it enough.
• Walking or cycling short distances saves money and counts as exercise. Check the Getting Around module for road safety.
• Book flights home as early as you know your dates; last-minute holiday flights are often the most expensive cost of the term.

Subscriptions and small leaks

• List every subscription you pay: streaming, music, gaming, cloud storage, apps, gym. Write the monthly price next to each.
• Cancel anything you have not used in the last month. You can usually rejoin later.
• Set a calendar reminder two days before any free trial ends, so you decide on purpose rather than being charged automatically.
• Check whether your university already gives you something free: library access to newspapers and journals, cloud storage, sports facilities.
• Example: three subscriptions at GBP 6, GBP 11 and GBP 13 a month cost GBP 30 a month, or GBP 360 a year.

Bills you might not expect

• MoneyHelper's student budget list includes bills such as gas, electricity, water, phone and, in the UK, a TV licence.
• If you live in a shared house, find out which bills are included in rent before you sign. The Running a Home module covers renting basics.
• A SIM-only phone plan is usually cheaper than a new handset contract if your current phone works well.
• Use MoneyHelper's free Budget Planner, a spreadsheet or your bank's budgeting tool to see where money goes each month.