I'm a PhD student in London, on £18k albeit with no income tax. I'm surprised you paid so much on rent! I'm paying £600/mo (including bills), Zone 3.
Maybe I'm more frugal than I realise.
Maybe I'm more frugal than I realise.
Do you get any meals subsidised from your university, and do you actually have some savings while being able to eat out or get drinks at least once or twice a month?
I don't have any meals subsidised, and I do have savings -- about £3k/year. I eat out twice per week, and I get drinks more often than not -- although I do often get drinks quite cheaply, because I'm friends with some brewers.