How to save in your first year as overseas recruit healthworkers: Nurse, Carers, Doctors & Teachers

As an overseas nurse, carer, or healthcare professional, here are some top recommendations for cutting costs during your first year of work in the UK.

1. Accommodation: During your first year of working in the UK,  you may incur one of the highest living costs. Some employers may provide accommodation between 4-12 weeks (either free or subsidised) after which you may be required to search for one yourself. Trust me, getting accommodation in your first few weeks can be stressing. Searching for shared housing options, such as renting a room in a shared home or apartment, is one approach to reduce the cost of lodging. Compared to renting an entire apartment or home by yourself, this may be a more inexpensive choice. You can consider room and house rental websites like  Rightmove, Zoopla, SpareRoom,  Gumtree,  Nestpick,  Rentify,  OpenRent,  Citylets

2. Transportation:  Public transportation in the form of taxi and share ride services like Uber and Bolt in the UK can be expensive, especially if you are traveling to and from work on a regular basis.. As a more economical means of transportation, think about acquiring a bike or scooter. Alternatively, you find out from your workplace or Council if there are much more affordable means of transport like season bus tickets or discounted work transport arrangements.

3. Food: Eating out can be costly, so you might consider cooking your own meals at home. This can save you a significant amount of money over time. Look for supermarkets that offer discounts on bulk purchases and buy in bulk. African and Caribbean foods tend to be expensive but you can find a local shop in your area where prices might be considerate and stick to them. Some Asian shops may also have equivalent of Afro-caribbean foods and products you may need. Also targeting late evening discounts on perishable foods from shops like ASDA, Lidl, Aldi, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and the like can save you a reasonable amount of money. 

4. Entertainment: Who doesn't like to have fun after a stressing day or week? It may be tempting, as an overseas health worker, to travel and experience the UK, but doing so might be costly. Instead of travelling, look for free or inexpensive entertainment options nearby. This can include visiting local parks and museums, attending free events, and discovering the neighbourhood. You can also take advantage of training days outside of your workplace to explore the length and breadth of the country. I was able to enjoy an all-expenses paid 3-day trip in Edinburgh last year for the RCN Congress and also had a 2-day training in a posh hotel in Birmingham paid for by a medical device company in collaboration with my workplace.

5. Taxation: Taxes in the UK can be a headache and form a significant expense for international health workers, but there are ways to save money on taxes. One way to do this is to claim back any taxes that you have overpaid. Regularly go through your payslip to check out underpayments as well as overpayments. This can be done by submitting a self-assessment tax return, which is a form that details your income and expenses for the tax year. 

Additionally, you can also claim back any taxes that you have overpaid on your accommodation or travel expenses if they are considered as an expense for your job. Healthcare workers can claim tax refund on union membership subscription fees, work uniform and even mileage driven to work if you own a car. You can do so at the end of the tax year in April from here. You can get back between 50 and 200 quid from this.

6. Insurance: As an overseas recruit, you may be required to have insurance coverage for your health and liability popularly known as Professional Indemnity Cover. Most  workplaces or professional unions will get this covered for you. But in case you are to do this yourself, compare different insurance providers to find the best coverage at the most affordable price. Also, check if your employer provides any insurance coverage for the employee. 

7. Networking: Networking can help you to save money by connecting you with other nurses and healthcare professionals who may be able to offer you discounts or special deals on various expenses. Joining a professional nursing association or union can also provide you with access to discounts and other benefits.
 Some people are kind and can help get household items for free when you're settling in from various websites and social apps when you make it known that you are new. 

Facebook Marketplace is good for getting free items and purchasing used items from within your neighbourhood. 

8. Financial Planning: Create a budget and stick to it. This can help you to keep track of your expenses and ensure that you are not overspending. Apps like Snoop can help you keep track of your finances and give you tips on savings. Additionally, try to save some money each month and put it towards your future expenses or emergency fund.