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Li Xuan

September 25th, 2022

Affordable stores for a student’s budget

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Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Li Xuan

September 25th, 2022

Affordable stores for a student’s budget

0 comments

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Moving into student accommodation? Looking to revamp your wardrobe? Or maybe you’re just really hungry? Whatever it is you’re doing or feeling, these stores will have you covered so be sure to pop by!

IKEA

Honestly… it’s not just furniture shopping – it’s a day out. Remember that iconic film scene in “500 days of summer”? Re-enact it by exploring the showroom and living the adult fantasy of how you’ll decorate your kitchen and imagine yourself cooking pancakes in it on a future Sunday morning with your dog at your feet wagging its tail. After all the daydreaming, make your way out to enjoy the scrumptious meatballs! 

The kitchenware is really inexpensive, and they tend to come in packs, so you can bulk buy three pans, three saucepans, four sets of cutlery items, etc. They also have a great selection of chopping boards, baking trays and tupperware boxes. A bonus is its unique Scandinavian touch and rainbow colour scheme which makes it easy to identify various items. Whatever you need, IKEA pretty much has it. 

Unfortunately, many of us have lived in houses (especially student houses) where the curtains are barely a couple of sheets of tissue paper. This does make it increasingly more difficult to get a few more minutes of shuteye before you make your way to that dreaded 9am. But thanks to IKEA’s £5 stick-on blackout blinds you no longer have to be stuck with those and they come off clean for the end of your tenancy. Furthermore, if you’re in need of some extra inspiration, IKEA has some useful articles and images on its website. No move-in is complete without an IKEA trip, so head down to your closest store.

Primark

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not only a place where you buy clothes and shoes. Although when clothes shopping remember to keep the hangers that usually come with your purchases. They are much stronger (and obviously free) than if you got them off the shelf, trust me. You will definitely find little houseware gems in high street shops such as Primark and New Look which sell durable mugs and photo frames, or ornaments like fairy lights or keychains. But wait, there’s more. I went into Primark for towels and ended up with a bath mat, two pillows and pillowcases, four towels, two sets of bedsheets, and a blanket, all for only about £40. 

Poundland

As suggested by its name, everything costs £1. It’s particularly great if you don’t live near a Lidl or Aldi for affordable snacks, stationery that is much cheaper than Ryman or WHSmith, and toiletries such as shampoo or toothpaste in comparison to Boots or Superdrug. Although for some other items you might want to do a check before you head down to a store because charging £1 across products means that some items may end up being more expensive.

B&M

I would say that if you want better quality bedding and duvet covers for the winter season this is the place to go. I decided to get some extra ones here because my Primark ones weren’t thick enough when I was still in my undergraduate years in the midlands which is much colder than London. It also beats Primark as if it’s located in an inconvenient area to you, there is an online delivery service. Sadly, most of the big discounts are available in-store only so if you really wanted to you would have to work a bit for the savings. 

Habitat

This Sainsbury’s sub-brand has a great range for your home needs from diffusers to bedding, toilet and kitchen products. If you’ve got a Nectar card, it’s a great way to earn more membership points for rebates and offers in your future grocery shops!

Wilko

This superstore has almost everything for every section of your flat or house and also your storage, stationery and toiletry needs. It’s also a great place to find items that may be cheaper than elsewhere. There are also plenty of savings to be made on UNiDAYS and Student Beans and they have an online store too if you’re feeling lazy. 

TK Maxx

When I first heard about this place, I was quite shocked as it houses many high-end quality goods but at a fraction of the retail price, sometimes as low as half of their original ones yet the items are exactly the same, no joke. Even celebrities have been spotted frequenting the store too!

About the author

Li Xuan

A Malaysian Borneo native studying MSc Environment and Development. Given my multicultural upbringing, I speak 6 languages which is partly why I chose the LSE and its very international student body! I'm also a R'n'B/soul/jazz fanatic.

Posted In: Money

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