The UK’s capital is a fantastic place to live and highly sought-after by young couples, professionals and families alike. Let’s face it, though, purchasing new properties in London can certainly cost a lot, which takes the shine off residing in the city.
When I moved house I had a slight meltdown about how I’d afford everything – after all, I was so used to having a large chunk of bills already paid for when renting. Here are five of my top tips for making living in London a lot more affordable so you don’t have to sacrifice the destination of your dreams.
Get an Oyster Card
If you’ve never had an Oyster Card before for whatever reason, get into the habit of regularly topping it up. You can use it on the bus, tram, tube, Docklands Light Railway and the majority of National Rail services in the capital.
You might not have realised you can use it for so many things, so start saving now and always take your Oyster Card with you. Just remember to register it, as if it’s lost or stolen, you can block it to prevent your money being used by others.
Consider a water meter.
Many newbuilds have water meters installed, which is where you pay for what you use. This can work out a lot cheaper if there are only a couple of you in a property. For example, water companies can push the price up of their services during a drought for their customers who pay a set rate, but you can avoid this if you stick to a meter instead.
My other top tip which I always do is to take a reading on the day you move in – I even capture the figure with the camera on my phone. That way, you can prove how much you used, especially if you’re moving into a property that the builders have previously been in – you don’t want to pay for their water!
Downgrade your food shop.
Don’t get sucked in by brands at the supermarket. Next time you’re in, take a look at the shelves. You’ll find the most expensive goods tend to be at eye level, and the supermarket’s basics right at the bottom.
I love my food, and there are some things I’d rather pay more for, but in my opinion items such as chopped tomatoes, sweetcorn and kidney beans really cannot differ from one another. On this note, pay a few pounds for a slow cooker to make the most of cheaper items. This means you can buy inexpensive cuts of meat. After a few hours cooking, traditionally tough cuts will be tender and tasty.
Use offers and vouchers.
With all of those amazing shops, restaurants and the West End at your feet, it can be tempting to spend a small fortune having fun in your spare time. While I’m not saying you should ignore everything London has to offer, be savvy with it.
Use last-minute booking and voucher websites to get 2-4-1 dining options, as well as cheap deals on theatre tickets that haven’t yet sold.
Skip the morning coffee.
One of my biggest vices is coffee and I can’t get going in the morning without a caffeine hit. However, this was costing me, so instead I invested in an affordable flask and some flavoured syrups from my favourite coffee chain so I can recreate the magic at home. I feel like I’m treating myself, but at a fraction of the cost!
