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Your Hall

How much do I spend per day as a PG student in halls

By PaulineComms 20 Mar 2024

Hey there, postgrads! Life at the LSE is undoubtedly thrilling, but it comes with its fair share of financial challenges, also when you're living in halls. I'm here to give you a peek into my daily spending routine (excluding rent :) ).

🌅 Morning Rituals and Bus: £4.75

Every morning kicks off with a visit to Pret for that essential dose of caffeine. With my subscription, I get unlimited coffee refills for just £30 a month! An even smarter way to save money would be to save for a coffee machine in your kitchen (no one is perfect). Toss in the cost of a bus ticket at £1.75, and my mornings come to £4.75.

🥗 Lunchtime: £7 or £0

When it's time for lunch, I love exploring the options around campus with friends. Whether it's grabbing a quick bite from a food truck or sitting down for a filled baguette, I budget around £7 for my daily lunches if I am eating out. On some days, I bring left-overs from the day before.

🍹 Post-Class Hangouts: £5 - not every day ;)

After classes, it's always nice to unwind and catch up with friends over a drink or a small snack. Allocating around £5 for these post-class hangouts allows me to enjoy some quality time without straining my budget.

🛒 Grocery Essentials: £3-£5 per day (approximately)

Stocking up on groceries for my favorite pasta carbonara sets me back around £15-£25 per week, averaging to about £3-£5 per day. It's a small investment for the satisfaction of cooking a delicious meal at home and having leftovers for the next day's lunch.

Total Daily Expenses: £19.75 (incl. eating out and hangouts)
When you add it all up, a typical day in the life of an LSE postgrad in halls comes to approximately £19. Of course, individual spending habits may vary, but with a bit of mindfulness and planning, it's entirely possible to strike a balance between enjoying the student experience and staying within budget.