Quench
Going out... On A budget
This time of year is always painful: dissertation stress, no money and you’re just recovering from the January blues. Rachel Clare and Kayleigh Excell have found 10 things to do that will hardly cost anything...
1. Hit the last of the sales, some shops even seem to put things that were new at the start of January into the sale now! Or start your summer wardrobe early and get last seasons bargains for £1! Or even if you have no money to spare, you can always just go trying on really expensive clothes that you’d never buy with your mates. Or go to Primark.
2. Go to the National Museum. Discover art, archaeology, natural history and geology. With a busy programme of exhibitions and events, the museum has something to amaze everyone, whatever your interest – and admission is free. Especially check out the art collection which is one of Europe’s finest. Five hundred years of magnificent paintings, drawings, sculpture, silver and ceramics from Wales and across the world, including one of Europe’s best collections of Impressionist works.
3. Bargain Tuesday at Cineworld. We know it’s a bit of an obvious one but when you’ve got no money a Tuesday trip to the cinema is always a good distraction from work. It only costs £3.50 for anyone. Also, if you want to save 50p. even if you aren’t a member you can join film society in their viewing of some classic old films for only £3. Every week they show one at 8pm- previous films include Amelie, O Brother Where Art Thou? and Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas.
4. A stroll in Bute park. Ok, so it might sound like something your mum and dad would do on a Sunday but a walk in this pretty park can provide much needed relaxation from the stresses of uni. You could have a game of footie or frisbee, or even a picnic with housemates.
5. Do some volunteering. There are loads of different things you could do such as working with children, animals or even working somewhere ike Nightline. A good place to start is SVC (Student Volunteering Cardiff) on the third floor of the Student Union.
6. Be an ‘Early bird’ on the National Express coach website. If you book you’re journey well in advance you can go to Central London on the coach for £1. It’s a bargain, and if you’ve saved you’re money here than you’ll have plenty of money left for lots of shopping on Oxford Street, Camden Market or Covent Garden.
7. Book a cheap holiday. If you want something to cheer you up, why not look on lastminute.com for a summer holiday now- you’ll save loads and then can start saving up for when you’re out there.
8. Head to the sea for some fresh air, fish and chips and an icecream. It’s really cheap to get to Penarth on the local trains, as well as Barry Island. You can also go to Swansea by bus from Cardiff bus station for £3.50.
9. Get fit. Burn off that Christmas bulge and head to Park Place gym for only £1.10 for a session. You can stay in for as long as you want and can use all the equipmentf. For a little bit extra you could even do an aerobics, yoga or dancing class!
10. Head to the Students’ Union. There are plenty of things to do, everything is relatively cheap and plenty of other students around. Mondays at Fun Factory are free before ten and is a very good night out!
Recommended: cheap drinks and happy hours
Bar Ice
4 Churchill Way,City Centre,CF10 2DW
Not the kind of place if you’re
planning an early night.
02920237177 Sun-Tue & Thu-Fri 11am-11pm, Wed & Sat 11am-2am
Oz Bar
St Mary Street,City Centre,CF10 1DX
About as Australian as Russia.
02920668008 Mon-Wed 12pm-11pm, Thu- Sat 12pm-1am Sun 12pm-10.30pm
Prince Of Wales
82 St Mary’s St,City Centre,CF10 1FA
Another Wetherspoon’s but this one has some cool décor.
02920644449 Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 12pm-10.30pm
The End
Coburn Street,Cathays,CF24 4BR
The End caters for most 18-23 pub-goers. 02920373897
Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 12pm-10.30pm
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