Budgeting for Your Big Move to University: Essentials & Smart Shopping Tips

Hi there

, I know that moving to university is an exciting milestone, but it can also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to budgeting for all the essentials you’ll need in your new space. Whether you're staying in halls or a shared flat, planning your purchases carefully can make your transition smoother—and help you save money in the process.

Start with a Budget 💰
Before diving into shopping, take a moment to assess your finances. How much money do you have saved? Are you expecting any funds from loans, scholarships, or family support? Once you have a clear picture, allocate specific amounts to each category of items you’ll need. Prioritize essentials first, and remember, luxuries can wait until you have some extra cash. For instance, shower gel is a must-have from day one, but that cute poster or cozy rug can be bought later when you’ve settled in.

Essential Items for Your University Room
Here’s a basic list of what you’ll need if you’re staying in halls:

•

Bedding & Pillows: A good night's sleep is crucial! You’ll need a duvet, pillows, bedsheets, and a mattress protector. Check out Primark or B&M for affordable and comfortable options. ( this is more so for my girlies , from living with my brothers I know the boys can survive on a bedsheet and duvet alone)

•

Kitchen Supplies: Basic cutlery, plates, bowls, and mugs are essential. You’ll also need pots, pans, and a few cooking utensils. Poundland is a great spot to grab these at low prices.

•

Bathroom Essentials: Towels , a shower caddy, and toiletries like shower gel and shampoo should be on your list. Don’t forget a toilet brush and bathroom cleaner too.

•

Cleaning Supplies: A broom, mop, dustpan, and surface cleaner will help keep your space tidy. Poundland and B&M are perfect for picking up these items without breaking the bank.

•

Laundry Items: A laundry basket and some detergent will keep your clothes fresh. If you’re tight on space, collapsible baskets are a great option. I've seen some nice ones at TK Maxx.

•

Storage Solutions: Extra hangers, storage bins, and under-bed boxes can help you organize your room efficiently.

Smart Shopping Tips
When it comes to shopping for your move, knowing where to go can save you time and money. I have listed some of my go to places below:

•

Poundland: Ideal for cleaning supplies, kitchen basics, and even some toiletries.

•

Primark & B&M: Great for bedding, towels, and other soft furnishings. They often have sales, so keep an eye out for deals.

•

Costco: If you have a membership or know someone who does, Costco is fantastic for bulk-buying food and household items, perfect for stocking up at the start of term.

•

IKEA: IKEA offers a student pack that includes all the essentials, and you can order it online for delivery straight to your new place. It’s a convenient and cost-effective option.

•

eBay: For second-hand items like rugs, lamps, and other decor, eBay is your friend. You can find great deals on gently used items that add personality to your space.

A Special Note for my fellow international students
As an international student myself, I understand how daunting it can be to move far from home. It might seem easier to bring everything with you, but trust me, it’s often cheaper and less stressful to purchase many items after you arrive. Familiarize yourself with local stores, and don’t hesitate to ask your new neighbours where to find the best deals. Moving to a new country is challenging enough—lighten your load by buying smartly once you’re here.

Starting university is such an exciting new journey but all the little things like budgeting can make it daunting . If this post helped please keep an eye out for my next post, where I’ll dive into how to budget once you’re settled in at uni. Until then, happy moving, and enjoy this exciting journey!

Cece ✨Energy engineering student De Montfort University

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 1

University of Bath

Official Rep

Nice one @De Montfort University 🙂

Budgeting is a must-have skill for whichever direction you decide to take yourself, whether that be uni, an apprenticeship, work or something else. Just thought I'd add a few of the budgeting hacks that kept me afloat at uni:

Make use of reduced price food near shop closing time! Most supermarkets half-price or further reduce some stock with today's date on it about an hour or less before closing time. There's nothing wrong with these items, they're perfectly good for freezing or keeping to eat in the next day or two and can save a lot of money.

Get yourself set up with a savings account - separate from your bank account, a good savings account which you can access if you need to is a good thing to have at hand. These often have slightly better interest rates than standard bank accounts, and I found it very rewarding putting all of my spare money in every month and watching my savings grow!

Consider part-time work. Check out your uni's jobs page and see if there's anything on there which might interest you. Often jobs on campus like working as a student ambassador, online marketing and helping in accomodation are flexible or casual hours which work around your uni timetables, and pay a fairly good wage for really enjoyable work. Being part of a network is also a great way to meet different people.

Do larger, but less frequent laundry loads - if you need to pay each time you use your laundry facilities, this can add up if you do a load every week. Try to do larger loads when you can to save a little more

Cooking on a budget - perhaps try to perfect 5 good meals over the summer with a budget of around £4-5 each. Maybe try them out on your family or friends! My staples at uni were pesto pasta, jacket potato and tuna, mexican burritos, chicken tikka flatbreads and egg friend rice. Here is a page with yet more cheap recipe inspo.

More budgeting tips here from our friends at Save the Student. Any more tips are very welcome!

I hope this helps - very best of luck with your next steps and beyond! :smile:

Holly
University of Bath

Reply 2

hallamstudents

Official Rep

Original post by De Montfort University

Hi there

, I know that moving to university is an exciting milestone, but it can also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to budgeting for all the essentials you’ll need in your new space. Whether you're staying in halls or a shared flat, planning your purchases carefully can make your transition smoother—and help you save money in the process.
Start with a Budget 💰
Before diving into shopping, take a moment to assess your finances. How much money do you have saved? Are you expecting any funds from loans, scholarships, or family support? Once you have a clear picture, allocate specific amounts to each category of items you’ll need. Prioritize essentials first, and remember, luxuries can wait until you have some extra cash. For instance, shower gel is a must-have from day one, but that cute poster or cozy rug can be bought later when you’ve settled in.
Essential Items for Your University Room
Here’s a basic list of what you’ll need if you’re staying in halls:

•

Kitchen Supplies: Basic cutlery, plates, bowls, and mugs are essential. You’ll also need pots, pans, and a few cooking utensils. Poundland is a great spot to grab these at low prices.

•

Bathroom Essentials: Towels , a shower caddy, and toiletries like shower gel and shampoo should be on your list. Don’t forget a toilet brush and bathroom cleaner too.

•

Cleaning Supplies: A broom, mop, dustpan, and surface cleaner will help keep your space tidy. Poundland and B&M are perfect for picking up these items without breaking the bank.

•

Laundry Items: A laundry basket and some detergent will keep your clothes fresh. If you’re tight on space, collapsible baskets are a great option. I've seen some nice ones at TK Maxx.

•

Storage Solutions: Extra hangers, storage bins, and under-bed boxes can help you organize your room efficiently.

Smart Shopping Tips
When it comes to shopping for your move, knowing where to go can save you time and money. I have listed some of my go to places below:

•

Poundland: Ideal for cleaning supplies, kitchen basics, and even some toiletries.

•

Primark & B&M: Great for bedding, towels, and other soft furnishings. They often have sales, so keep an eye out for deals.

•

Costco: If you have a membership or know someone who does, Costco is fantastic for bulk-buying food and household items, perfect for stocking up at the start of term.

•

IKEA: IKEA offers a student pack that includes all the essentials, and you can order it online for delivery straight to your new place. It’s a convenient and cost-effective option.

•

eBay: For second-hand items like rugs, lamps, and other decor, eBay is your friend. You can find great deals on gently used items that add personality to your space.

A Special Note for my fellow international students
As an international student myself, I understand how daunting it can be to move far from home. It might seem easier to bring everything with you, but trust me, it’s often cheaper and less stressful to purchase many items after you arrive. Familiarize yourself with local stores, and don’t hesitate to ask your new neighbours where to find the best deals. Moving to a new country is challenging enough—lighten your load by buying smartly once you’re here.
Starting university is such an exciting new journey but all the little things like budgeting can make it daunting . If this post helped please keep an eye out for my next post, where I’ll dive into how to budget once you’re settled in at uni. Until then, happy moving, and enjoy this exciting journey!
Cece ✨Energy engineering student De Montfort University

Hi!

These are all great tips for students moving to University!

I would also say that another good shop is Dunelm when you are moving to Uni. They often have good sales on which make things well priced and they are good quality and will last you a while at Uni. Full priced things there can be expensive but when I was going to Uni I managed to get my plates, cutlery and glasses etc all in the sale for over half price which made it cheaper than places such as IKEA so it is worth looking here to see if they have any offers on!

Charity shops are also great places to find things like this and it's also good to shop second hand! There can often be some great things if you hunt around a little bit in charity shops and they are always well priced so don't forget about these too.

When you are shopping for kitchen items, my best tip would be to try and get some that you can easily differentiate from the other people that you will be living with. Look for coloured plates or cutlery or just ones with a bit of a pattern on as peoples things will get mixed up if they all look the same so it's worth getting some that are a bit different so you know which are yours as it will be a lot easier.

With budgeting for food, it's a good idea to make meals that you can freeze as this will be really helpful the you need food after uni and you don't feel like cooking as you will have something in the freezer. This can often work out a little bit cheaper and it also saves on food waste as cooking for one can sometimes be tricky and can leave you with lots fi things left over so making a batch of 4 meals instead of 1 doesn't take any longer and will be really helpful to you later on down the line. Some meals you can make and freeze include:

•

Bolognaise

•

Any pasta dishes

•

Chilli

•

Lasagne

•

Soups

•

Stews

•

Curry

I hope some of this helps :smile:

Lucy -SHU student ambassador.

Reply 3

UCLan Student

Official Rep

Original post by De Montfort University

Hi there

, I know that moving to university is an exciting milestone, but it can also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to budgeting for all the essentials you’ll need in your new space. Whether you're staying in halls or a shared flat, planning your purchases carefully can make your transition smoother—and help you save money in the process.
Start with a Budget 💰
Before diving into shopping, take a moment to assess your finances. How much money do you have saved? Are you expecting any funds from loans, scholarships, or family support? Once you have a clear picture, allocate specific amounts to each category of items you’ll need. Prioritize essentials first, and remember, luxuries can wait until you have some extra cash. For instance, shower gel is a must-have from day one, but that cute poster or cozy rug can be bought later when you’ve settled in.
Essential Items for Your University Room
Here’s a basic list of what you’ll need if you’re staying in halls:

•

Kitchen Supplies: Basic cutlery, plates, bowls, and mugs are essential. You’ll also need pots, pans, and a few cooking utensils. Poundland is a great spot to grab these at low prices.

•

Bathroom Essentials: Towels , a shower caddy, and toiletries like shower gel and shampoo should be on your list. Don’t forget a toilet brush and bathroom cleaner too.

•

Cleaning Supplies: A broom, mop, dustpan, and surface cleaner will help keep your space tidy. Poundland and B&M are perfect for picking up these items without breaking the bank.

•

Laundry Items: A laundry basket and some detergent will keep your clothes fresh. If you’re tight on space, collapsible baskets are a great option. I've seen some nice ones at TK Maxx.

•

Storage Solutions: Extra hangers, storage bins, and under-bed boxes can help you organize your room efficiently.

Smart Shopping Tips
When it comes to shopping for your move, knowing where to go can save you time and money. I have listed some of my go to places below:

•

Poundland: Ideal for cleaning supplies, kitchen basics, and even some toiletries.

•

Primark & B&M: Great for bedding, towels, and other soft furnishings. They often have sales, so keep an eye out for deals.

•

Costco: If you have a membership or know someone who does, Costco is fantastic for bulk-buying food and household items, perfect for stocking up at the start of term.

•

IKEA: IKEA offers a student pack that includes all the essentials, and you can order it online for delivery straight to your new place. It’s a convenient and cost-effective option.

•

eBay: For second-hand items like rugs, lamps, and other decor, eBay is your friend. You can find great deals on gently used items that add personality to your space.

A Special Note for my fellow international students
As an international student myself, I understand how daunting it can be to move far from home. It might seem easier to bring everything with you, but trust me, it’s often cheaper and less stressful to purchase many items after you arrive. Familiarize yourself with local stores, and don’t hesitate to ask your new neighbours where to find the best deals. Moving to a new country is challenging enough—lighten your load by buying smartly once you’re here.
Starting university is such an exciting new journey but all the little things like budgeting can make it daunting . If this post helped please keep an eye out for my next post, where I’ll dive into how to budget once you’re settled in at uni. Until then, happy moving, and enjoy this exciting journey!
Cece ✨Energy engineering student De Montfort University

Hey everyone!

Congratulations to everyone who already has an offer today!

Some of my top tips for savvy savings are:

•

Too good to go bags - these are great and you can get loads of food really cheap in them!

•

Meal prep - meal prepping is a great way to save some money and reduce food wastage!

•

Charity shops are a great way to pick up some bits to decorate your room and make it feel like home!

When you get to university, don't forget to introduce yourself to all of your new flatmates and people around you! Joining societies is such a great way to make friends and meet new people.

Finally, make a budget from the beginning and try and stick to this!

Congratulations to everyone and best of luck with your degrees!

-Rebecca, UCLan

Reply 4

University of Bradford

Official Rep

Original post by De Montfort University

Hi there

, I know that moving to university is an exciting milestone, but it can also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to budgeting for all the essentials you’ll need in your new space. Whether you're staying in halls or a shared flat, planning your purchases carefully can make your transition smoother—and help you save money in the process.
Start with a Budget 💰
Before diving into shopping, take a moment to assess your finances. How much money do you have saved? Are you expecting any funds from loans, scholarships, or family support? Once you have a clear picture, allocate specific amounts to each category of items you’ll need. Prioritize essentials first, and remember, luxuries can wait until you have some extra cash. For instance, shower gel is a must-have from day one, but that cute poster or cozy rug can be bought later when you’ve settled in.
Essential Items for Your University Room
Here’s a basic list of what you’ll need if you’re staying in halls:

•

Kitchen Supplies: Basic cutlery, plates, bowls, and mugs are essential. You’ll also need pots, pans, and a few cooking utensils. Poundland is a great spot to grab these at low prices.

•

Bathroom Essentials: Towels , a shower caddy, and toiletries like shower gel and shampoo should be on your list. Don’t forget a toilet brush and bathroom cleaner too.

•

Cleaning Supplies: A broom, mop, dustpan, and surface cleaner will help keep your space tidy. Poundland and B&M are perfect for picking up these items without breaking the bank.

•

Laundry Items: A laundry basket and some detergent will keep your clothes fresh. If you’re tight on space, collapsible baskets are a great option. I've seen some nice ones at TK Maxx.

•

Storage Solutions: Extra hangers, storage bins, and under-bed boxes can help you organize your room efficiently.

Smart Shopping Tips
When it comes to shopping for your move, knowing where to go can save you time and money. I have listed some of my go to places below:

•

Poundland: Ideal for cleaning supplies, kitchen basics, and even some toiletries.

•

Primark & B&M: Great for bedding, towels, and other soft furnishings. They often have sales, so keep an eye out for deals.

•

Costco: If you have a membership or know someone who does, Costco is fantastic for bulk-buying food and household items, perfect for stocking up at the start of term.

•

IKEA: IKEA offers a student pack that includes all the essentials, and you can order it online for delivery straight to your new place. It’s a convenient and cost-effective option.

•

eBay: For second-hand items like rugs, lamps, and other decor, eBay is your friend. You can find great deals on gently used items that add personality to your space.

A Special Note for my fellow international students
As an international student myself, I understand how daunting it can be to move far from home. It might seem easier to bring everything with you, but trust me, it’s often cheaper and less stressful to purchase many items after you arrive. Familiarize yourself with local stores, and don’t hesitate to ask your new neighbours where to find the best deals. Moving to a new country is challenging enough—lighten your load by buying smartly once you’re here.
Starting university is such an exciting new journey but all the little things like budgeting can make it daunting . If this post helped please keep an eye out for my next post, where I’ll dive into how to budget once you’re settled in at uni. Until then, happy moving, and enjoy this exciting journey!
Cece ✨Energy engineering student De Montfort University

So much good advice on this thread I love it!

One thing I definitely made the most of was student discounts! I used Unidays alot especially for online shopping, and also apps like Vinted. Some student discount providers also have food discounts too so if we wanted to treat ourselves to a meal out we could still stick to a budget. A lot of chain restaurants do deals throughout the week too or set menus which helped save the pennies on special occasions. Or for a cheaper way to try new foods or recipes, have a come dine with me night with your flatmates if you're in halls! We did this alot to share out food costs (and cleaning after) and it was always great fun.

We also had student discount on public transport and I had the student railcard too which really helped, especially as I lived away from home.

Sticking to a budget can be tricky and new to get your head around but little things go a long way. Good luck to everyone starting university - it's a really exciting time!

Jennie