Being a student is the start of an exciting new chapter, and for many university life will be the start of an incredible adventure. However it can all be rather costly as all of those nights out, new outfits and tickets for gigs and trips add up.

Many students might be trying to save money by making economies and clawing back on luxuries, however making your student loan go further doesn’t necessarily have to mean missing out.

With a few smart choices you can save money and still enjoy all that university life has to offer; from batch cooking to embracing the SU Pantry, there are so many ways to save the pennies as a student.

Grab essentials at The Pantry

Meal planning to reduce waste

Have a meal plan to reduce food waste, so you know exactly how much food you will need to purchase for the week ahead and know nothing will go to waste. By making sure to choose recipes that work together with common ingredients you can save money on having to purchase lots of different fresh groceries.

Yes, chef!

Making food with others is another way to keep costs down as economies of scale kick in. An easygoing dinner idea such as beef tortillas or Chilaquiles could be a relaxed meal to share with others in your living accommodation, with flatmates contributing jointly towards a delicious dinner.

Plan dinners with your flatmates

Drop into the Students' Union

Make sure to use the SU food support systems which have been put in place to address the cost of living crisis. Facilities such as the Food Pantry located in the Students' Union offer two weekly visits for students and you can refill on items such as pastas, grains, spices, vegetables and cleaning products, just make sure to bring a few refillable containers.

Love your leftovers

Make sure to preserve leftovers whilst they are still fresh by freezing them. Stews can be batch cooked and frozen for later, and even cheddar cheese can be frozen if you find yourself in surplus, or need to travel home over the holidays and know you won’t finish it in time.

Lunch on the move

Think outside the box and bring exciting home cooked pack lunch to campus with you to enjoy in between classes. Communal spaces such as the picnic benches by the Mathematics building, the SU lounge or the library lounge are great spots to enjoy a snack. By replacing a few of those delicious Botanic Avenue lunches with something homemade you will be making some great savings. Picnic, anyone?

Save money by bringing coffee in a flask from home!

Hot stuff, coming up

Make use of the microwaves, water fountains and kettles on campus to replenish your energies with a hot meal prepared at home and warmed up for enjoyment between classes. Also invest in a reusable water bottle and fill up on campus, perfect for keeping hydrated. These facilities are located all over campus, see locations listed in the resources section at the end of this blog.

Embrace loyalty apps and loyalty cards

A number of supermarkets and cafes offer loyalty card schemes which allow you to build up loyalty points through your shops which can later be spent on treats. Alternatively other shops send personalised offers directly to you which allow you to save money on your favourite products.

Treat time

Finally, make sure to allow yourself a treat, you’ve definitely earned it with all of those deadlines and late nights spent studying at the library. Round off a taxing week with a little treat from Botanic Avenue, whether it is a gooey slice of pizza from Pizza Co, or a fancy cupcake from French Village.

Find out more

Cost of Living | My Queen's | Queen's University Belfast

Practical Help and Support | QSU

The Pantry: Free Refill Station | QSU

Food Banks | QSU

Beth Knights Software Development | Postgraduate Student Beth is a postgraduate student at Queen’s University Belfast, currently taking a course in Software Development to pursue a career change. With a background in finance and a passion for lifelong learning, she has returned to university as a mature student to embrace new challenges in the sector of software development and data analytics. Outside of her studies, Beth enjoys sailing, hiking, and exploring the hidden corners of Ireland, bringing an unstoppable desire for adventure on every trip.