“Making positive changes, no matter how small they may be, will always pay you back tenfold”
The soaring cost of rent, food, fuel, and energy has left students, apprentices, and learners at breaking point.
In 2022, NUS found that 96% are cutting back, with a third left with just £50 a month after paying rent and bills. Save The Student (2024), found that the monthly average student living costs are approximately £1,104.
12% of students have taken out loans, 11% using foodbanks (NUS, 2022) and 67% skip meals to save money (Wonkhe, 2024).
90% say this is affecting mental health, but only 1 in 5 have had help government help (NUS, 2022).
We are in a cost-of-living crisis too! 45% of us can no longer afford course materials (NUS, 2022) with 81% worried about making ends meet (Wonkhe, 2024).
Harry Tomlinson
Vice President Education and Welfare (High Wycombe)
Welcome
to the student’s guide to the cost-of-living crisis
Here you will gain information and have access to tools which will hopefully make navigating the current crisis that little bit easier. The tools and information within this guide are from a range of different materials and sources ranging from the Students’ Union’s The Big Deal to local councils and online websites.
What is the cost-of-living crisis?
To be straightforward, the money you receive from student finance, possible part time work, or any other forms of income, doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. The money will go on living costs such as your energy bills, rent, food costs and fuel. This means you tend to have less money to do the things that you enjoy doing.
Unfortunately, in a lot of cases, this can also mean having to choose between what bills to pay, potentially going hungry to pay for heating during winter, and being unable to travel to potential job interviews or even your classes. This could also potentially mean choosing to skip classes to work.
How does this affect you as a BNU student?
At BNU there are many students who are all from different walks of life and the cost-of-living crisis affects EVERYONE. It does not discriminate (well unless you have a couple thousand pounds as pocket money!) Those students who travel to the different campuses are affected by the spike in fuel costs. Students who do a food shop, either for themselves or their families, more than likely will have to cut back on their food shopping list and this includes essentials and feel-good treats. Renting students, especially those in private accommodation, are affected heavily with rent increases and energy prices soaring.
Although this guide is a tool to help you as a student living through this crisis as much as it can, it must be remembered that the cost-of-living crisis is not something that can be changed through fun saving challenges or cutting back on takeaways and nights out.
ENERGY SAVING
Saving energy doesn’t have to be a big deal. It can be as little as turning your TV off at the plug instead of keeping it on standby. These little tips add up over time and keep money in your pocket to spend later.
Some tips and tools mentioned in this section may only apply to those in private accommodation but most of them will apply to those in University halls too.
Bulbs
Replacing all your lightbulbs with LED versions may sound like a faff, but they save up to 90% of the energy a normal bulb would use and last about 25 times longer. So not only do they use less energy every day but replacing them less frequently means there’ll be less energy used globally to manufacture and distribute new bulbs.
Dishwashers and Dryers
Your household might have these devices but honestly use that drying rack and airer. Your bills and the planet will LOVE you. If you have an energy tracking app, you’ll see the massive different it makes when avoiding using these devices.
If you are already using your drying rack and airer, then the planet already loves you!
Stay cool!
Lowering your thermostat and not turning the heating on may seem like a horrific idea, even in winter, but throwing on some socks and a jumper saves you having high energy costs. It’s cheaper to heat the person (you), rather than the room.
Fluffy socks, a jumper, maybe even a small hot water bottle in the mix, what’s not to love to stay warm? Not in summer though...
Au Naturale
Throw those curtains wide and let that lovely natural light into your room. Over the autumn and winter, it gets dark and gloomy early on, so make the best of the sun by doing this instead of turning the lights on. When you do have to use that little electric sun (yes, the light bulb), make sure to turn them off when leaving the room to save on your electricity bill. Even those who live in halls can do this. The less energy used the better!
Turn it off OFF!
Keeping things on standby is an easy way to get devices up and running as quick as can be. Although it may be on standby, the device is still eating away at your electricity. Turn your devices off at the plug once you are done using them. The best time to do this is whilst sleeping and leaving the house.
Meal Prepping
Having a day of meal prepping for the week not only gets you some tasty lunches (that you don’t have to worry about on the day for) but bulk meal prepping also saves you switching on that oven as much as you would. Your gas bills will look healthier, and this also helps with costs of meals during the week.
Energy Saving Tools
There are many tools and websites that give you examples of brilliant energy saving tools and the best providers to use as a student. One such tool which is well used by BNU students is One Utility Bill or best known through the website as fusedbills.co.uk.
SUSTAINABILITY
This tool allows you to pick the packages you want to take on and gives the option to split payments between your housemates. This tool also finds you energy deals for a good price.
Period Poverty and the Link with Sustainability
Periods are expensive: pads, tampons, new underwear, pain relief and all the extras that go along with it. Even if you only focus on the costs of period products, people who menstruate on average spend £10 a month on period products so roughly £120 a year (disposable pads – £120 x 5 = £600). The charity Bloody Good Period provides menstrual supplies to food banks, asylum centres and those who can’t afford them. They estimate that the average lifetime cost of having a period is about £4800. The sustainable swap to reusable pads costs around £5 for a single and £30 for a set and should last for five years. Find out more ecobravo.co.uk/collections/reusable-sanitary-pads
Keep in mind that as a Students’ Union we have campaigned on Period Poverty and there are free sanitary products around female and nongendered toilets around all campuses. If you need access to any sanitary products, please ask in the Advice Centre of the Union itself.
Disposable pads: £120 x 5 + £600
Shopping Second-hand
Reusable pads: £30!
Shopping second-hand is such an amazing way to becoming a more sustainable student and there are multiple apps, and charity shops you can use as a BNU student. Have a walk around the area you live in and check out the charity shops you see. Not only do you bypass fast fashion, but you also give to charity and get yourself some groovy new outfits. This can be applied to apps such as Vinted and Depop.
Refurbished Tech
The benefits to buying refurbished technology, such as laptops and phones, is that it saves you money as well as being environmentally friendly. This is because refurbished devices don’t require the same number of resources and energy as newly made phones. Refurbished phones are also like new and work almost the same as fresh out of the package.
Keep an eye out on Fridays on the High Wycombe Campus around 4pm, sometimes The Lounge Express will put out sandwiches on the bar, once they have closed these can be taken for free.
Living in halls or with friends/housemates? Cook a meal together once or twice a week (or maybe more if you all like eating together). This saves on money due to a combined food shop leaving less wastage and allows for the oven to not be overused eating up your energy.
Get using that soap! Handwash tends to come in a plastic bottle and we all know what impact plastic has on the planet. If you don’t, go check out eartheclipse.com/ environment/environmental-effects-plasticpollution.html
Instead of printing all that paperwork out, have it emailed across to you. Or, if you are sending, get it done over email. We love the trees, keep it green!
Oh, water we to do? Sorry… Try taking a timer into the shower and minimise on how long you take to shower. Finding a shower head that reduces water wastage is also helpful to keeping sustainable. Keeping that tap off whilst brushing your teeth is also very ‘green’ of you. I’ll stop…
water ofSqueeze lemon Baking bicarbonatesoda/soda This does the same job as your normal washing up liquid, with less of the plastic waste!
This service provides BNU students with free, second-hand goods. Bucks New Usage is located at the High Wycombe Campus in West Wing, open every Wednesday from 12:30pm – 2:30pm. You can grab items like mugs, pots and pans, cutlery, bedding, toasters or even kettles too!
Rusty’s Refill is a service available at the High Wycombe campus from the SU reception. Rusty’s Refill station provides students with the opportunity to purchase a variety of household essentials at a very low cost, and it’s also sustainable. You can purchase items like rice, pasta, herbs, and washing detergent. Just make sure to bring your own container.
MONEY SAVING TIPS
Saving money isn’t just about throwing a couple of quid into your piggy bank. Money saving is applicable to getting discounts on your favourite foods, essential items and even your course books
Make the Most of Student Discounts!
UNiDAYS and Student Beans offer free discounts for sixth form, college, and university students. From tonight’s outfit to food comas, to living healthier. These tools cram as many different student discounts on different categories ranging from clothing, food and drink, fashion, technology, beauty and lifestyle. Totum is also a student discount provider but for the full range of perks, the card requires a sign-up fee.
You can also ask in store when paying if they offer student discounts. Doesn’t hurt to ask.
Course Book Pricing
Don’t fall into the trap of buying fresh new course books or resources. Always have a look around for recently graduated students from the same course who may be selling these books. Joining Facebook pages that specifically sell course resources and making use of the Facebook market is a great place to start.
As a BNU student you also have access to the libraries on all three campuses. Use their search function to see what shelf it is on. You can also place books on hold and collect too.
Aylesbury have ‘Help Yourself to the Bookshelf’, where students can borrow items from the shelf, just make sure to scan the QR code and fill in the form so we know it’s been borrowed.
Shop Smart
When going grocery shopping, Lidl and Aldi have the best priced food 9 times out of 10. This doesn’t mean you can’t go to your local Tesco and find a good deal on some food items. Always look around when shopping; keep an eye out for reductions and shop in season. You can also join loyalty and reward schemes (such as Tesco Clubcard), which can help you get points to receive rewards (like money off). Try not shop when you’re hungry... you may end up with more in your basket than you intended.
Avoid ‘Pay Later’ Services
Whilst they might seem great, one missed payment can spell disaster and these companies are never your friend. This also goes for reaching into your overdraft and using credit cards all the time. If you have to use them, try and pay off as soon as you can.
Money Saving Apps and Websites
These sites, add-ons and apps can save you money with very little effort. (Too Good To Go, Honey, ebay, Groupon).
Free Trials
Most streaming services and services in general have a free trial period which you can opt out of before you buy. Have a look around and make the most of it. Don’t forgot to add a reminder (whether on your phone or calendar) to make sure you cancel the subscription if you don’t want to sign up and pay.
Own Brands are Just as Good!
When you think about supermarket own brands, you tend to think about the plain packaging that doesn’t look very appealing. Well, these own brands must be up to the standard of other similar products. Fancy some biscuits? 49p for a pack makes it them taste even better!
Budgeting Tips
Save The Student! (2024) recently produces a quick guide to budgeting. Their guide is full of tips and tricks to money saving a few of them are:
knowing your weekly budget (you can work this out using the following equation)
total income – estimated expenses number of weeks in a term
Set goals (e.g., order less takeaways)
Moving some money into savings (only spend what you can see)
Plan ahead for what you will spend
Find the best deals (look around)
(Save The Student! 2024)
SO WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
All BNU students ae automatically a member of Bucks Students’ Union and that means everything you do with your Students’ Union is completely free! Whether that’s developmental activities or additional skills sessions, playing competitive sport or Sport for Fun, joining a society or attending one of our many fun and diverse events, it will not cost you a penny.
Amy saved £1,640 as a student.
Club and Societies £100
Representation £600
Training, Development and recreational activities £940
"The free activities provided by the Students' Union were a lifeline for me during my time at university. Being a nursing student, juggling placements and studying can be incredibly demanding, leaving little time to spend with my children. These activities gave me the opportunity to create precious moments with them in a fun, stress-free environment.
What made these experiences even more impactful was that they were free, especially during a time when the cost of living was a significant challenge. I wouldn’t have been able to afford similar opportunities for my kids and me if it weren’t for the Union’s support. These activities not only brought us joy but also eased the financial burden, allowing me to focus on my studies while still sharing meaningful time with my family."
Over the three years of a typical degree, some of our members have saved between £3,000 and £5,000. So, what are you waiting for? Make the most of everything that’s available to you by visiting our website bucksstudentsunion.org or popping into one of our offices.
JOBS
Working while studying can help give you much needed funds, but it can also have other benefits. It will give you real work experience on your CV and essential transferrable skills to talk about in your applications and interviews once you have graduated. You will also meet new people, and it can be beneficial to your mental health to take time away from your studies and see immediate results from your hard work.
With the current cost-of-living crisis, around 58% of students are working part-time jobs whilst studying on full-time courses (Save The Student, 2024; Wonkhe, 2024).
We at the Students’ Union are here to support you in finding part-time work and you can start by looking at our JobShop website at bucksstudentsunion.org/employability/jobshop
If you don’t see anything on there that you are interested in or would like some help updating your CV before you start applying, you can either email us at sutraining@bnu.ac.uk or come and see us. We would be more than happy to go through your CV with you and show you where to look for part-time work.
Although we understand the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, we do not recommend students work more than 20 hours per week while studying on a full-time course. This is to protect your mental wellbeing; ensure you have enough time to give to your course and give you time to unwind and relax.
If you are struggling, we are here to support you, so come and visit the Advice Centre of email them at suadvice@bnu.ac.uk for further support.
If you are currently looking for a job, there are sometimes positions available within the Students’ Union and the Students’ Union bar and venue. These can be found via Union Jobs, (bucksstudentsunion.org) and other opportunities, such as becoming a Freshers’ Helper, can also be a good source of income with part-time hours.
"I work while studying, as being at university is sometimes hard to fund. However, I am proud that I am able to work for an organisation like Bucks Students’ Union. Working as Bar Staff and a Team Leader has given me the skills to improve in my personal life as well as within my course. When I leave university, it is helpful to have leadership and customer service skills as I can always use them to find a job on the side of my career. The experience of working allows me to have organisation and time management skills whilst I am here, and it is great to meet so many people on the job who I can now say are my friends."
- Dee Whyte
FUNDING AND BURSARIES
Most students will have some financial difficulties at some point. This will only increase due to the cost-of-living crisis, and it is always better to seek help with financial problems as soon as they occur. Bucks Students’ Union, alongside Buckinghamshire New University, have a variety of funding and bursaries for those students who may be struggling. The Union’s Advice Centre is a helpful service to access information around these opportunities so do not be afraid or ashamed to get in contact.
Your main funding will most likely come through as Student Finance if you are a UK student. It is best to keep a look out on the Students’ Union and University website to see if more funding is available too.
BNU Hardship Fund - Provides discretionary financial assistance for students who pay tuition fees to help them access and remain in higher education. Some international students may have access to this if in crisis.
BNU Asylum Seeker Scholarship - For asylum seekers to provide them with opportunities to make the most of their new lives.
BNU Refugee Scholarship - To support refugees and provide them with opportunities to make the most of their new lives.
Care
Leaver
Bursary
/
Estranged Student Bursary
/ Gypsy Roma, Traveller, Showmen and Boater (GRTSB) Bursary - We understand that you face additional challenges, and we will do our best to support you at every stage of your studies including accommodation and a mentor.
BNU Learning Resource Fund - Here to help you get the most out of your course during your time with us. This package gives you the funds to buy goods specific to your study needs at a better value for money than other online stores.
BNU Thrive Bursary - For students from low-income families or high depreciation areas. Money should never be a barrier to education. If you are from a low-income family, an area with high levels of deprivation or an area where very few students go to university, then you can be offered you up to £1000 each year of your course to support you with your studies and living costs.
NHS Funding - These bursaries are available to some students who are studying a course linked to the NHS.
Other types of funding and relief can be found by your local council’s website too.
If you are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis you have every right to use a Food Bank, as going hungry should not be an option. The following will give the addresses of food banks in High Wycombe, Uxbridge and Aylesbury. If you need any more advice or you are struggling with food poverty, then do not hesitate to contact the Advice Centre in the Students’ Union at suadvice@bnu.ac.uk.
It is advised to go through the normal referral channels, however using the Students’ Union Advice Centre or the Student Hub for help on this is more than welcome. These channels will supply you with a food voucher which can be used at the foodbanks. High Wycombe and Uxbridge both have a food bank within their campuses – get in touch with the Advice Centre or Student Hub for more information, or below for other locations.
High Wycombe:
Wycombe Food Hub - Unit 26 Chilterns Centre, High Wycombe HP12 5ES (01494 913626) (wycombefoodhub.org)
One Can Trust, 11 Duke Street, High Wycombe, HP13 6EB (01494 512277) (onecantrust.org.uk)
Aylesbury Foodbank - 44 Rabans Close, Aylesbury, HP19 8RS There are a few collection locations which can be found here aylesbury.foodbank.org.uk/locations
FOOD BANKS
FOOD
Food is our energy source, and it is a shame that the UK census has 7.1 million adults in food poverty as of April 2022. We shouldn’t have to budget on our food but with little to no support from the top it is an unfortunate topic. We as a Students’ Union have The Big Bucks Meal Deal and Monday Monthly Meals (MMM). We will post recipes and meal cook-along videos and similar projects on our social media over the course of the year so please keep a look out.
Meal Planning - Plan out what meals you will be cooking throughout the week.
Keep It Simple! - Sometimes the simple things just work and cooking extravagant meals means you will have to buy more ingredients or groceries that cost more money.
Lists Keep You on Track - As you plan out your meals for the week, start writing up your shopping list. Do this during and after you have planned your meals. This prevents buying unnecessary food which will be wasted.
Own the Brands - When going to a supermarket to buy food, try to buy the own goods of the store. For example, in Tesco, buying Tesco’s own products is cheaper than buying a brand of that food.
Make the Most of Your Leftovers! - Leftovers are crucial when trying to save money when buying food. Every time you cook food whatever you have left, store in the freezer. This means that later in the week, when you don’t have time to cook or don’t want to cook, you can pull out a meal already prepared in the freezer.
Freeze It! - The freezer is a good way to store fruit, veg and meat. Freezing food allows you to store produce in portions. This prevents food waste and makes life a little easier as everything is already divided. It is also a great way to keep food for longer as it stops food from going off.
The Big Bucks Meal Deal - The Big Bucks Meal Deal is a project derived from the cost-of-living-campaign run by Bucks Students’ Union. This project gives students access to free hot meals three times a week from The Lounge (High Wycombe campus). This is funded and supported by BNU and delivered by Bucks Students’ Union. The Lounge hosts these on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Just remember to bring your ID.
Uxbridge and Aylesbury have similar free food events, provided by Gather & Gather.
At Aylesbury, Gather & Gather provide free lunch twice a week at the Basin Cafe.
At Uxbridge, Gather & Gather provide free breakfast twice a week at Pulse Cafe. Keep an eye out these cafes for more information.
Tinned tomatoes - An obvious staple, a base to many dishes and cheap to buy
Spices and seasonings - Paprika, chilli flakes/powder, all purpose, Italian herbs. Give a bit of flavour to your meals.
Cooking oil - We don’t want anything sticking to that pan!
Tinned potatoes - Imagine, it’s the middle of winter, not a penny to your name and these guys are in ya cupboard…… Get them roasties cooking.
Tinned carrots - Essential for stews or if you need to see in the dark…
Plain flour - A great staple for the making of sauces (like cheese sauce).
Mixed beans - Fancy a chilli but no meat or missing the tofu?
Rice - It’s fairly easy to boil some rice for most people. You learn from experiences. Or even a few packs of the microwave stuff.
Stock cubes - Gives your food that extra flavour just in one cheap cube.
Pasta - Just pasta… what’s not to love
Tinned baked beans - Short on cash but need something filling? Beans on toast!
Bread - Throw it in the freezer.
Soups - An easy meal when you need that heart-warming kick or making that budget-friendly fancy feeling meal by using it to sauce up your pasta or rice dishes too!
Dried noodles - Those cheap ones you can throw in a microwave. The beginnings of a banging ramen bowl.
Tinned fruits in juices - Got a sweet tooth or feeling low on energy? Pineapples
CUPBOARD STAPLES
It’s important to remember that money gets us all down from time to time, and when you’re struggling, you’re certainly not alone.
If you’re still feeling lost after reading the guidance in this booklet, don’t panic!
Bucks Students’ Union, and Bucks Students’ Union Advice Centre is still on hand to help.
Bucks Students’ Union Advice Centre
High Wycombe Campus tel: 01494 603 016
Uxbridge Campus tel: 01494 605 180
bucksstudentsunion.org/advice suadvice@bnu.ac.uk
You can still access these services even if you are an Aylesbury student. Call either number or email the team.
Or if you need further help, the Government have some great resources: costoflivingsupport.campaign.gov. uk/help-with-your-bills
