Whether you’re studying, working, caring for a family member, or trying to manage all three, money can sometimes feel stretched. In a recent survey of young adult carers, the biggest financial challenges were saving money, travel costs, food shopping, and social activities.
The good news is that there are lots of simple ways to make your money go further, without missing out on the things that matter most.
We also asked young adult carers what helps them save money the most. Their top answers focused on bringing lunch from home, making use of discounts and finding free or low-cost activities.
Start with Small Savings
One of the biggest lessons shared by young adult carers in our survey was the importance of budgeting and learning to save early. Many respondents said they wished they’d known more about managing money and making the most of discounts when they were younger.
A simple way to get started is to separate your spending into three categories:
Saving small amounts regularly is often easier than trying to put away large amounts occasionally.
Cost-Effective Meal Ideas
Food costs can quickly add up, especially if you’re buying lunches, takeaways, or convenience foods. One young adult carer told us:
“Meal planning and taking lunch to work has saved me more money than I expected.”
Planning your meals in advance can help reduce waste, avoid impulse spending, and make busy weeks a little less stressful.
Some budget-friendly meal ideas include:
Batch Cooking
Cook larger portions and freeze leftovers for busy days.
Ideas include:
- Chilli and rice
- Pasta bake
- Vegetable curry
- Cottage pie
Easy £1-£2 Lunches
- Homemade pasta salad
- Jacket potatoes
- Wraps with chicken, cheese or hummus
- Soup and bread
Apps such as Too Good To Go were recommended by young adult carers who completed our survey. These can help you access discounted food or free surplus items in your local area.
Make the Most of Student & Young Person Discounts
Many young adult carers said that making use of student and young person discounts was one of their best money-saving habits.
“Using student discounts wherever possible really adds up over the year.”
Apps such as UNiDAYS, Student Beans and TOTUM offer discounts on everything from clothing and technology to food and entertainment.
Even if you’re not at university, many businesses offer discounts for apprentices, young people, and those in further education.
Save Money on Travel
Travel can be one of the biggest expenses for young adult carers, especially if you’re commuting to college, university, work, or caring responsibilities. One young adult carer shared:
“Getting a railcard made a huge difference to my travel costs.”
If you’re eligible, consider a 16-25 Railcard or other discounted travel schemes to help reduce regular expenses.
Ways to reduce travel costs include:
- 16-17 Saver Railcard
- 16-25 Railcard
- Bus passes and student travel cards
- Booking train tickets in advance
- Travelling off-peak when possible
Several survey respondents specifically recommended railcards as one of the best money-saving tools they use.
Budgeting Apps Worth Trying
You don’t need to be a finance expert to manage your money.
Young adult carers in our survey mentioned using budgeting tools and banking apps to help keep track of spending.
Popular options include:
Monzo
- Spending categories
- Savings pots
- Spending alerts
Plum
- Automatic savings
- Budget tracking
Moneyhub
- See all your accounts in one place
- Set budgets and goals
Simple Notes App
Sometimes the simplest solution works best. Writing down what comes in and what goes out each month can help you spot where savings can be made.
Free Things to Do Across West Sussex
Having fun doesn’t have to cost lots of money.
Try:
- Walking routes in the South Downs National Park
- Beach walks along the Sussex coast
- Local community events and festivals
- Library activities and resources
- Parkrun events
- Free museum days
- Exploring local nature reserves
Don’t forget that Carers Support West Sussex also offers activities, groups and opportunities to connect with other carers throughout the year.
Financial Support Available
Our survey showed that many young adult carers were unaware of some forms of financial support, including Carer’s Allowance.
Depending on your circumstances, it may be worth exploring:
- Carer’s Allowance
- Student bursaries and hardship funds
- College or university support funds
- Benefits and entitlements
- Local grants and charitable funding
If you’re unsure what support may be available to you, speak to a Wellbeing Worker who can help point you in the right direction.
What Would You Tell Another Young Adult Carer?
As part of our survey, we asked young adult carers what advice they would give to someone else who is trying to manage their money.
Some of their responses included:
“Start saving, even if it’s only a small amount.”
“Use all the discounts you can get.”
“Plan your meals before you go shopping.”
“Keep track of what you’re spending.”
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice.”
These tips might sound simple, but they’re often the habits that make the biggest difference over time. Saving money isn’t about being perfect. It’s about finding small, realistic changes that work for you and your situation.
Managing money isn’t something most people are taught, and it’s okay if you’re still figuring it out. One young adult carer told us:
“I wish I had learnt more about budgeting and saving money when I was younger.”
The good news is that it’s never too late to start. Even small changes, such as tracking your spending or setting aside a few pounds each week, can make a difference over time.
Take care,
Young Adult Carers Team
