Being a student from Malaysia where the exchange rate from Malaysian Ringgit (RM) to British Pounds (£) is about 5.4:1, I have mastered the technique of saving money while studying abroad such as not turning on the heating even during the winter. Jokes aside, living in London can be very costly but hopefully these few tricks and tips I’m about to show you how you can enjoy a comfortable life in London whilst not putting a dent in your wallet!
London Life Hacks 101
1) UNIDAYS
UNIDAYS is a lovely platform consisting of tons of student discounts on a wide range of categories all the way from clothing to food dedicated just for students! Simply verify your student details in order to be eligible for all these tasty discounts. If you’re looking to buy a new phone or laptop, you might want to check UNIDAYS out as well so you don’t miss out on any good deals.
2) Too Good To Go
This remains my personal favorite! Restaurants tend to have leftover sales at the end of the day which are still freshly produced in the morning. Using Too Good To Go, you can purchase these tasty delicacies at a much cheaper price depending on what is leftover. Take note that there is usually a fixed collection time for your orders, and you would have to order your ‘Magic Bags’ beforehand and collect it during the designated time slot.
3) First Table
Fancy going for a fine-dining experience in London? First Table allows you to dine-in in groups of two to four people, whilst getting 50% off on your final bill! Your dining time will start as soon as the restaurant opens for business, but your experience will be the same otherwise! A 5 pound deposit is needed in order to secure a table.
4) West End Theatre Lottery Tickets
Being a musical theatre fan, I am constantly intrigued by the shows and musicals London has to offer. However, it is often really expensive to secure a ticket in these shows, much less stall seats. Before purchasing your tickets to any show, do check out their websites to figure out whether they have lottery tickets available. Lottery tickets work by allowing you to enter your details a few days before the show in order to participate in a lucky draw. Upon securing a lottery ticket, you will able to watch tons of different musicals and plays from £10 to £20 in stall seats (usually).
5) Olio
Olio is an app which allows people to give second-hand stuff away for free! This involves both food and non-food items. People also collect leftover fresh food from restaurants and it works on a first come first serve basis 🙂
6) Pret A Manger’s YourPret Barista
With just £20, you will be able to get up to 5 cups of coffee a day, as long as they are within 30 minutes intervals! This new initiative by Pret A Manger works on any drinks on their menu. This includes tea, hot chocolate and also smoothies and fraps at certain branches!
7) Just always be curious!
Before purchasing anything, just do a quick google search to see if you can find any discount codes even if it’s buying something online or having a meal out! You will be able to find good deals such as 50% off on fresh food from Wasabi 30 minutes before closing hours and 50% off Byron Burgers on certain days. I’m sure there are even tons of other discounts I am unaware about, but with a curious mind and an adventuristic spirit, all of you can make the most out of your life here in London too!
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