Money diaries – Smith
By Smith, from India, studying MSc Finance
Year of study: Postgraduate
Accommodation type: University accommodation (self-catered)
Part-time job: Student Ambassador (occasional shifts)
Day One
Mondays always feel like a fresh start, until you’re sprinting out the door at 8:15am, half-asleep and clinging to your coffee like a lifeline. I had two back-to-back lectures today, so breakfast was quick: just toast and eggs in the shared kitchen.
By mid-morning the Business School cafe was calling my name. I gave in and grabbed a cappuccino and a muffin for £4.30. Not the most budget-friendly move, but we all have our weak spots.
Lunch was packed from home, leftover chicken curry and rice from the weekend, eaten with a friend in the lounge. Honestly, having home-cooked food on hand makes a huge difference, both in terms of budget and brainpower. After class, I walked home and made a simple pesto pasta for dinner, my go-to for nights when I want something hot and fast.
Total: £4.30
Day two
Today felt steady, library in the morning, lectures in the afternoon. I packed lunch (leftover pesto pasta from Monday night, still holding strong) and managed to stay focused through a few readings and group project planning.
The highlight of the day was dinner at Solti, a Nepalese-Indian restaurant I’d been meaning to try. My friends and I ordered a mix of things, biryani, paneer butter masala, steamed dumplings, and naan. The food was incredible, and we split the bill. My share came to £14.20.
After dinner, we called it a night early. It was one of those chilly, clear evenings where the city feels quieter than usual, a reminder that sometimes doing less feels like doing enough.
Total: £14.20
Dinner at Solti, a Nepalese-Indian restaurant.
Day three
No classes today, which meant a slow morning and time to catch up on readings and chores. I did a load of laundry (£3 for wash and dry, it’s not cheap, but I make it last a week).
I cooked all my meals at home today. Lunch was egg fried rice, and dinner was dal with basmati rice and some frozen paratha I found at the Asian grocery store near Nicholson Street. Comfort food really is underrated.
Total: £3
Laundry day
Day four
I had a student ambassador shift this morning. Three hours welcoming prospective students and answering questions like “How cold does it actually get?” Answer: very. But also, manageable. That shift will add £32.70 to my account next month, not immediate but helpful.
Afterward, I grabbed a quick lunch with one of the other ambassadors at Burger King for £7.50. I got a cheeseburger meal, and we ate outside since it was sunny.
Dinner was homemade again. I threw together a bowl of ramen with some frozen dumplings and soft-boiled eggs quick, comforting, and surprisingly satisfying after a busy day.
Total: £7.50
Cheeseburger meal from Burger King
Day five
Friday felt like a reward. The academic workload was light today, so I mostly focused on reviewing lecture notes from earlier in the week and planning for an upcoming assignment.
I did my usual weekly grocery shop at Lidl spent £22.40 on essentials like rice, tortillas, spices, and some meat for dinner plans and meal prep later.
The best part of today was cooking with a few friends in the evening. We made pork belly tacos from scratch, slow-cooked the meat, made a spicy slaw, heated the tortillas just right. It took effort but was so worth it. There’s something grounding about cooking together at the end of a long week. Plus, splitting ingredients made it super affordable.
Total: £22.40
Homemade pork belly tacos with friends
Day six
I live for chill Saturdays. Slept in, made a big brunch with scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee, and then started my “life admin” checklist cleaning, doing a meal prep, syncing up with friends on assignments. I didn’t spend anything all day… until the evening.
Around 9pm, I decided to head out for a late-night walk and ended up at Knoops a cozy little hot chocolate shop tucked away near Victoria Street. I’d heard great things, and it totally lived up to the hype. I got their 54% classic dark hot chocolate with whole milk creamy, rich, and absolutely perfect for the chilly Edinburgh air. £4.95 well spent.
Walked home slowly, feeling grateful for this city, this season of life, and warm drinks that taste like hugs.
Total: £4.95
Walking on Victoria Street with hot chocolate
Day seven
I try to treat Sundays as a reset: phone calls home, groceries if needed, and a little bit of self-reflection.
After a lazy morning and some meal prep, I headed out for a long walk in the Meadows with a couple of friends. The sun had peeked out (rare!) and we just wandered, chatted about the week ahead, and took it all in. It’s a space that never fails to make me feel grounded.
Lunch from Saj on the way back was a Shawarma wrap for £5.99. I ate it outside on a bench near the gardens, just letting the afternoon pass me by.
Later that evening, I reviewed lecture slides, organized my to-do list, and made lentil soup for the week. A slow, simple end to a full week.
Total: £5.99
Footpath in the Meadows
Weekly total: £62.34
Income: £32.70
Other costs
Rent (monthly, with utilities and Wi-Fi included): £750/ month
Phone plan: £10/month
Earnings: student loan/bursary of £500/month and occasional shifts as a Student Ambassador.
Related links
Other studying and living costs
Study at the University of Edinburgh
