Budget Ideas for Cape Town Students

How to Budget as a Cape Town Student in Private Digs

Studying in Cape Town is an exciting adventure, especially when you’re living near the University of Cape Town (UCT). But as any student will tell you, this city can be expensive if you don’t keep an eye on your spending. Choosing private student accommodation near UCT offers plenty of perks, but it also means taking more responsibility for your budget. The good news? We are going to show you how to budget as a Cape Town Student in Private Digs. With a few smart habits, you can live comfortably, stay on top of your finances and still enjoy everything Cape Town has to offer.

Choose All-Inclusive Accommodation to Avoid Hidden Costs

The first thing to look out for is what’s included in your rent. It helps to choose accommodation where your monthly payment covers things like uncapped WiFi, electricity, water, and even furnishings. That way, you won’t get caught off guard by extra bills. At The Digs on Church, for example, your rent is all-inclusive, so you know exactly what you’re paying every month. It makes budgeting much easier and removes the pressure of juggling multiple service providers.

Live Close to Campus and Cut Transport Costs

Living close to campus is one of the smartest ways to save as a student, and that’s exactly what you get at The Digs on Church. Based in Rosebank, Cape Town, our location places you within walking distance of UCT’s main campus, and just a short drive or cycle from other top tertiary institutions like AFDA, Red & Yellow, Varsity College, and Cape Town College of Fashion Design.

You won’t need to budget for Ubers every week or worry about unreliable transport. With the UCT Jammie Shuttle stop just 500 metres away, and most campuses only minutes away, your commute becomes easy, free and stress-free. That kind of convenience doesn’t just save you money – it gives you back valuable time to study, socialise or just breathe between classes.

Cook at Home and Plan Your Grocery Budget

If there’s one habit that can seriously stretch your student budget, it’s cooking at home. Not only is it cheaper than ordering takeaways or eating out, but it also gives you control over what you’re putting into your body. The trick is to plan ahead and make it part of your routine – especially if you’re living in a shared space like The Digs on Church, where kitchens are well-equipped and designed for communal living.

Start by doing a weekly grocery shop and always go with a list. Try shopping at affordable local spots like Checkers on Main Road, Rondebosch, or pick up fresh fruit and veg at the Rosebank Sunday Market or Neighbourgoods in Woodstock if you’re up for a weekend mission. Stores like Aldi and Food Lover’s Market often have bulk specials that work well if you’re splitting costs with housemates. Sharing the cooking load can also be a great way to bond – take turns making dinner or do a “potluck” night where everyone brings something to the table.

For recipe inspiration that fits a student budget, try these platforms:

• Budget Bytes – Packed with affordable, easy-to-make meals with clear cost breakdowns
• Tasty’s student meal playlists on YouTube – Quick, simple and always a crowd-pleaser
• Minimalist Baker – Ideal for plant-based or allergy-friendly recipes with short ingredient lists
• Woolworths Taste and Pick n Pay Fresh Living – Free recipe sections with a local flavour
• Instagram food bloggers like @capetownfoodie for easy meal ideas with a Cape Town twist

Apps like Mealime or SuperCook let you enter what’s in your fridge and suggest recipes you can make with what you have – a lifesaver towards month-end.

Most importantly, make your grocery budget realistic. For many students, R800 to R1200 a month is manageable, especially if you’re cooking in bulk and freezing leftovers. You don’t need to survive on two-minute noodles – you can still eat well without overspending.

And don’t feel guilty about the occasional treat. If there’s a café you love, a sushi special you look forward to, or a Friday pizza tradition with your digs mates, keep that in your budget. Living well means finding a balance between saving and enjoying the little things.

Embrace Second-Hand Shopping and Student Discounts

One of the best ways to stay within budget as a student is by shopping second-hand. You’d be amazed at what you can find when you’re not afraid to look a little beyond the brand-new. From furniture to kitchen gear to textbooks, second-hand buys can save you hundreds of rands and still get the job done.

If you’re moving into a private student room at The Digs on Church, you’ll already have the essentials – a bed, desk, and basic furnishings – but you might still want to add a few personal touches. Think lamps, a comfy chair, a rug, or kitchen extras like a toaster, blender or storage baskets. Buying these second-hand can make a big difference.

Start with online options like:

• UCT Textbook Exchange (Facebook group) – great for second-hand textbooks, readers and even course-specific equipment
• Gumtree Cape Town – search your suburb and filter by price range; ideal for furniture and appliances
• OLX and Facebook Marketplace – helpful for finding people nearby selling household items
• Yaga or The Clothing Bank – perfect if you’re looking for pre-loved clothes, accessories or small bits for your digs
• Thrift stores in Obs and Claremont – pop into shops like BangBang Vintage or Second Time Around to find kitchenware, homeware or quirky decor

On the UCT campus, keep an eye out for the UCT Free Store, where students donate items they no longer need – from stationery and mugs to shelves and small appliances. It’s all free, and it’s all sustainable.

Beyond second-hand, don’t forget your student discount power. Many stores and platforms offer reduced prices for students, including:

• Takealot Student Deals – discounted electronics and study supplies
• Typo, Cotton On & Sportsmans Warehouse – often have 10% off with a student card
• Canal Walk, Cavendish and V&A Waterfront – some stores have unlisted student specials if you ask at the till
• UCT student card benefits – gets you discounted entry to places like the Iziko Museums, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, and more

You don’t have to spend a fortune to make your space feel like home. Whether you’re buying a kettle for R80 on Marketplace or picking up a second-hand hoodie at a thrift pop-up, every bit saved is money you can use for food, books, or a weekend trip up the coast.

Being a student in Cape Town means learning to live smart. When you embrace second-hand and keep an eye out for discounts, you’ll realise that having a tight budget doesn’t mean going without – it just means getting creative.

Budget for Fun and Enjoy Cape Town Affordably

Let’s face it – university life isn’t just about lectures, deadlines and to-do lists. It’s also about making memories, meeting people, and soaking up everything Cape Town has to offer. And the good news? You don’t need a massive budget to have a good time. With a bit of planning, even R500 a month can stretch surprisingly far.

Start by setting aside a small “fun fund” at the beginning of each month. It might not sound like much, but when you live at a centrally located place like The Digs on Church in Rosebank, you’re already close to a wide range of affordable and free activities. That makes it much easier to go out without breaking your budget.

Looking for cheap and cheerful ideas? Here are a few student favourites:

• R60 movie nights at the Labia Theatre on Orange Street – plus they sometimes run two-for-one specials
• Sunset hikes up Lion’s Head or Devil’s Peak, both easily accessible from the Southern Suburbs
• First Thursdays in the City Bowl – art galleries, live music and street food (and entrance is free)
• Outdoor yoga at The Company’s Garden or Green Point Park – donation-based or under R50
• Live music at places like The Armchair Theatre in Obs or Cafe Roux in Noordhoek – cover charges are usually low
• Cheap eats at places like Lekker Vegan, Ferdinando’s Pizza, or Maharajah for curry – watch for student specials midweek

If you prefer chilled evenings in, pool together with your housemates at The Digs and host themed dinners or games nights. Everyone can contribute R50 to R100, and you’ve got a full evening sorted without having to go out at all.

It also helps to follow local pages on Instagram or Facebook for free and low-cost events around Cape Town. Many community events, food truck gatherings, or beach clean-ups turn into great social experiences that don’t cost a cent.

Budgeting for fun doesn’t mean saying no to good times – it just means being intentional. Instead of splurging in the moment and stressing later, you’ve already made space for the experiences you want. You’ll have a better time knowing you’re still in control of your money.

So go ahead – plan that brunch after a hike, say yes to the open mic night, and make the most of living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Cape Town has plenty to offer, even on a student budget.

Use Budgeting Apps to Track Spending and Stay Organised

Keeping track of your money as a student can be tricky – especially when your expenses are split between groceries, data, lunch runs, and the occasional Uber. That’s where budgeting apps come in. They’re designed to make managing your money simpler, smarter and way less stressful.

If you’re sharing private student accommodation like The Digs on Church, apps like Splitwise are an absolute lifesaver. You can log shared expenses with housemates – like toilet paper, cleaning products or dinner ingredients – and the app keeps track of who owes what. No more awkward spreadsheets or sticky notes on the fridge.

For managing your personal budget, try 22seven. It links to your bank account and gives you a clear breakdown of your monthly spending. You can set limits for categories like food, transport or entertainment and track how close you’re getting. It’s especially helpful if you tend to swipe first and check your balance later.

Other useful apps and tools include:

• Goodbudget – an easy envelope-style budgeting app perfect for cash-based systems
• Monefy – great for quick, daily expense tracking with a simple interface
• FNB, Capitec and Nedbank apps – most bank apps now have built-in spend tracking and budgeting tools
• Stash by Liberty – rounds up your spare change and puts it into savings or investment automatically

You don’t need to be a finance student to budget well. Just set a few goals: maybe you want to save R100 a month for emergencies, or track how much you’re spending on food delivery. Once you have visibility, it’s easier to make better choices.

It might seem like a mission to set it all up at first, but once your system is in place, it’ll take less than five minutes a week to update. And the reward? You’ll always know where you stand, which means fewer money surprises and more freedom to enjoy student life in Cape Town without guilt.

Budgeting is not about cutting all the fun – it’s about building habits that make your money work for you. With the right tools, you can be organised, relaxed and in control of your finances, even when assignments and exams are piling up.