Gaming without going broke
Gaming is expensive. Really expensive. Between the latest console releases, subscription services, and that irresistible urge to buy every DLC that catches your eye, it's frighteningly easy to watch your student loan disappear faster than free pizza at a fresher's fair.
Many students learn this the hard way during their first year. What starts as "just buying FIFA" quickly spirals into a monthly spending spree that leaves you eating beans on toast for the last week of term. If you've ever found yourself choosing between a proper meal and that shiny new game release, you're not alone.
The problem isn't just traditional gaming either. Online gambling and casino games have become increasingly popular amongst students. For those who've excluded themselves from UK-regulated sites through GamStop but still want to explore gaming options, non-GamStop casinos offer alternatives. These are not licensed in the UK but carry with them considerations on player protection.
Be it the old-school gaming or the online casino experience, the fundamental issue is the same, as it is always hard to control your expenditure.
Establish a realistic budget by being brutally honest with your finances. Look at what's left after rent, food, and those inevitable college bar tabs. Whatever remains isn't all available for gaming—you need money for everything else life throws at you. A good rule of thumb is allocating no more than 10% of your disposable income to entertainment, including gaming.
Free-to-play games are your best friends, and also the traps that are well thought out. Fortnite, Apex Legends, and League of Legends are free to play, but their battle passes and cosmetic items will empty your wallet just as quickly as purchasing full-priced games. The secret is to pre-determine whether you are going to spend anything on a free game and adhere to this budget with religious devotion.
Subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus offer incredible value if you actually use them. For the price of one new game, you get access to hundreds. But don't succumb to the trap of subscribing to more than one service at a time. Choose one and practise it with proper use, then change when you are bored.
It is incredibly important to time purchases of games. New releases are £50-70, but three months later, they are usually half the price. PlayStation Store sales, Steam bargains, and Humble Bundles can save a lot of money. Follow gaming deal websites and set price alerts for games on your wishlist.
Pre-owned games from CEX or local gaming shops offer another route to savings. You won't get that new-game-smell experience, but your bank account will thank you. Physical copies also have resale value—something digital purchases lack entirely.
Student discounts exist for gaming, too, though they're not always obvious. Certain retailers have student discounts on consoles and accessories. Even the university gaming societies will at times organise bulk purchases to get better deals. It's worth asking around.
The biggest budget killer is impulse buying. That flash sale notification, the limited-time offer, the friend recommending something amazing. These moments test your resolve. Combat this by maintaining a wishlist system. Write down games you want, wait a week, then reassess. Often, the urge passes.
Gaming cafés and university gaming rooms provide alternatives to buying everything yourself. Sharing costs with friends works too – take turns buying co-op games or split the cost of party games everyone will play.
Online gambling enthusiasts can find numerous sites where they can get welcome bonuses and free spins that enable them not to deposit funds immediately. Such promotions may prolong your entertainment, but you should be aware that they are aimed at getting you to spend more in the long run. Never read the terms in a hurry and never pursue losses.
Track your gaming expenses monthly. Most banking apps categorise spending automatically, making it easy to see exactly where your money goes. Seeing £200 spent on gaming in black and white is sobering and motivating.
Consider what gaming actually brings to your life. Is it stress relief after difficult supervisions? Social connection with friends? Pure entertainment? Understanding your motivations helps prioritise spending and resist unnecessary purchases.
You do not need to be bankrupt in order to game, but you need discipline and planning. Establish limits, scout out deals, and keep in mind that it is frequently the games you can afford without worrying about how you are going to pay next month's rent.
