A new study has found that students spend their money on almost 20 takeaway meals each month.
Jamie Elliott
Students are stretching their tight budgets to splash out almost £100 on takeaways each month, according to new research.
The study has found that students spend an average of £99.93 on approximately 16 restaurant or takeaway meals each month, which is twice the national amount.
Duncan Jennings, co-founder of VoucherCodes.co.uk, has said: “With many students holding down a part-time job and an active social life, as well as studying for a degree, it is easy to see why so many have become reliant on takeaway meals as a quick fix.
“What was once a weekend treat or hangover fix has become a regular necessity for many students.”
“Beats doing the washing up”
Students are tempted by easy access to their student loan. They are too tired from studying as well as part-time work and hectic social lives and are finding it hard to resist the urge of fast food.
Half of the students surveyed said they relied on takeaways as a source of food after a hard day of studying.
“I’d say I buy about five or six takeaways a month but that’s because it varies with money and often depends on whether I’m getting takeaways with my mates or not,” said Sam Tidman, a KU politics and international relations student.
“It’s often pizza, but I can’t resist a good Indian. I find takeaways are a simple and quick option, plus it definitely beats doing the washing up.”
Don’t break the bank
Emma Moody, a third-year English literature student at Kingston said: “I get takeaways much more than I should. I don’t always have time to cook and it’s a quick option when I need something right away.”
The study by shopping website VoucherCodes.co.uk listed pizza, curry and Chinese as the top three takeaway picks for students and showed that 18-24 year-olds spend up to £1,237 a year on eating out.
However, by doing a simple online search for discounts means that students do not need to break the bank to enjoy a bite to eat at their favourite restaurant.
Mr Jennings said: “Whether eating out or eating in, savvy students should head online to check out the latest discount codes for the majority of the national takeaway and restaurant chains.
“Some places offer discounts for students – sites like VoucherCodes.co.uk will have a money-saving section. But students shouldn’t be afraid to call restaurants to find out what other deals they can offer.”