The Student Guide to Surviving the Winter (and your Energy Bills)
The days are getting shorter, the weather colder and deadlines are approaching ever so fast. St. Andrews can be a truly magical place in these last 2 months of the Martinmas semester, but with the stress of upcoming exams and increased expenses, it can feel difficult to take a breath of the crisp air and enjoy this town for what it is. That is why we have come up with some tips, tricks and heads up about winter expenses that will help you save money and time worrying about money this month.
Heat Smart- Not Hard!
If you are in private accommodation, likely heating bills are not included in your monthly bill, and as it gets cold, it can get tempting to keep your heat blasting for long periods of time. This may seem easier but ends up costing you up to 3x the amount of heat that you really need to heat the house when you are there. Here are ways to heat smarter and save your cash:
- Make use of heating timers, so the heat only turns on when you are home. Use this article to learn how to effectively use your timers and also save energy for the environment! “ How to set your heat boiler timer to save money and energy”
- Keep windows, doors and curtains closed to trap heat inside. There is no point in trying to heat the outside, so keep all the heat you are paying for inside the house!
- Layer indoors with cozy jumpers, socks and blankets instead of turning on the heat; you’d be surprised how far a cup of hot chocolate, and a blanket can go.
Find Free Heated Spaces
Heating your own home can be expensive, but luckily there are many heated university spaces you can take advantage of saving on heating and also get motivated to get out of the house!
- Some great free heated study spaces are the Main Library (Open Monday-Saturday 8:00AM- 12:00AM), Student Union (Open Monday-Friday 9AM-8PM, Saturday-Sunday 10AM-8PM) and the Byre Theatre (Open Monday- Saturday 10AM-4:30PM).
Understand Your Energy Contract
There are a lot of factors that impact the price that you pay for heating each month, and it is important to understand what you have signed up for.
- Check to see if you are on a fixed tariff, or variable tariff contract, and how often readings are taken. Find out more about how your energy contract works here: Fixed vs Flexible Contract. With energy companies I find it easiest to give them a call, but also a lot of them have chats now on their website where you can speak to a representative to easily change your contract depending on what works best for you.
- Learn how to read your meter. This is super important to understand your energy usage and what you are paying for.
- Check to see how often either you or your smart meter is taking readings. This can range from every half-hour to only once a month. This determines how accurate your energy bill will be and can also be an indicator to you of how much energy your everyday activities are really taking.
- Use apps like splitwise to split the energy bill and share other expenses with flat mates; it makes it much easier to keep track of!
Easy and Cost-Efficient Comforts
While it can be tempting to treat yourself to a hot drink or a not so occasional takeaway, there are easier and cheaper ways to find the same comfort.
- Cook hearty meals, like soups, stews, and pasta bakes. Not only are they super cozy, but they warm up your kitchen and are easy to prep meals! Here are a few recipes that are quick, easy and cheap: The Ultimate Budget-Friendly Student Cookbook!
- Try cooking with friends/flat mates! Cheaper, faster, and much more fun.
- Use a hot water bottle to keep warm before turning on the heat.
Get Support if you are Struggling
We know it can get tough financially, mentally and even physically as it becomes colder and exam season starts to creep up on us. Luckily, we have an incredible support system from Student Services who provide a wide range of options. Here are some that I think are the most relevant:
- Us! Chat with the money team to help understand how to budget and save in the winter season.
Finally, do treat yourself once in a while and make sure that you keep warm, using my tips and also your own. Exams can be overwhelming, but if you surround yourself with friends, hot chocolate, and financial knowledge, you will make it through!
Written by Lena Sidell, UG Money Mentor