How to manage money when in Manchester: A guide for students

Manchester is one of the most beautiful cities and many students come here for quality education. The cost of living in Manchester, while not so expensive, it is still relatively on the higher side. So, you have to keep a few tips in mind to save your money as a student. In this article, we have compiled a list of handy tips and tricks to help you manage your spending, stick to the budget and keep your living cost as low as possible.

Budgeting is important

To keep your spending in check, you must start keeping a count of your budget. Budgeting sounds boring, but there are many ways to keep budgeting fun. You can easily invest in a cool notebook or planner or even use one of the budgeting apps to easily set a fixed monthly or weekly budget. Try to stick to the challenge.

Smart travel is important

Cabs are always easily accessible, but they are quite pricey too. So, you need to start traveling smart and saving your money. Instead of spending £2.50 on a single ticket, try to invest in the monthly pass and save money. Another way to save money is to find student accommodation Manchester, which is close to the university so you can walk to and from the campus.

Look for discounts

A great benefit of being a student in Manchester is the student discounts. Your university card is your ticket to a wide range of discounts on different products and services across the city. You can easily get discounts on groceries, clothes, food, books, university supplies, and much more. You can also look for discounted entry to different attractions and landmarks in Manchester.

Cooking is trendy

Eating out in Manchester or even ordering food can be a bit expensive. There are different ways in which you can cook on an economical and in a limited time. This way you can easily save both your money and time. Meal preparation beforehand is a great way to make your food in time. You can get all your favorite food cooked during the weekend and keep it in the freezer or find some simple recipes to cook every day as per your comfort. This way you can save money and eat healthily.

Going for a part-time job

You can always consider getting a part-time job to help you keep up with the cost of living in Manchester. While a job might take up some precious time, which is greatly advantageous for you both in the short as well as long run. Not only this will help you make money, but also improve your CV. The students can work in a coffee shop or a bookstore. They can also work in the university library.

Look for free entertainment

Finding free entertainment is quite easy. Who says enjoying your time at Manchester has to come at a price? You can spend a fun day out in the city by having a nice stroll or you can plan a picnic with friends in one of the city’s different parks and gardens at little or no cost. Other ways to guarantee yourself some free entertainment which comprise visiting free museums and art galleries, and going on sponsored tours using the university card to get free or discounted tickets to some of the city’s famous destinations.

Energy Conservation

A great way of saving money is to ensure you keep your energy consumption in check. Gas and electricity bills are getting more expensive every day and that is why it is essential to conserve energy. You can do this by easily turning off all the lights when you do not need them, unplugging all the unused appliances, and investing in energy-saving light bulbs and appliances.

Grocery coupons

Grocery trips can easily take up quite a lot from the budget, this is why learning to easily shop smartly and efficiently. Here are a few methods in which you can get whatsoever you require in groceries while keeping a budget on time and maybe even saving some money in the procedure. Ensure you shop in bulk and compare brands while shopping. Get the ones with the most advantage and the least cost. You can collect different loyalty points and grocery coupons after every purchase. Do not dismiss the supermarket-own brands, those are generally of great quality and even good price. You can shop at different stores that do not overcharge as well as ones that offer student discounts this will help in saving you a few bucks.

Thrifting is a good idea

A lot of your budget for your Manchester living costs can go towards shopping. Whether you shop for clothes, books, university supplies, or even furniture, etc. to decorate your student residences. Thrifting and shopping at second-hand stores is the perfect solution for you. This not only helps in saving money but also allows you to unique stuff at a wonderful price.