University is expensive, after you’ve factored in rising rents, travel costs, government cuts, textbooks and everything else you’re expected to pay for as a student, buying food can seem almost unaffordable. But you don’t need to deprive yourself, if you follow these tips you should be able to eat well and have a bit of money left over to have fun with.
1. Eat breakfast
Nobody wants to get up any earlier than they absolutely have to when they’ve got a 9am lecture, but if you’re someone who likes to grab a mid-morning pastry before your next seminar it can add up to a fair bit of money over time. If you can, eat before you leave so you won’t be as hungry, or just throw a cereal bar in your bag.
A box of six Special K bars costs about the same as a single Costa croissant, and that’ll sort you out for a whole week!
2. Bring a packed lunch
If you’re super prepared, bringing a sandwich can mean serious savings at lunchtime. Even though a Tesco meal deal or a hot lunch from the canteen isn’t that expensive, it’s always cheaper to bring something in. If you get access to a microwave saving leftovers from the previous night makes a change to sandwiches and further cuts down on waste.
3. Don’t shop when you’re hungry
This is an easy one, it’s been proven that shopping on an empty stomach means that you’re more likely to buy food that’s less healthy, AND spend more! Grab a snack before you leave to cut down on junk food and save yourself a bit of cash.
4. Make a list (and stick to it)
Sit down to make a list before you go to the supermarket, it’ll help you not to forget what you actually need and stop you picking up the little ‘extras’ that can end up costing you. I like the app Keep (Android or iOS) for keeping all sorts of notes and lists on your phone.
5. Don’t buy too much
The fact is that most packets of food at the supermarket are designed to feed a family of four, which is probably why it always seems like you’re throwing mouldy food away. By choosing loose fruit and veg or smaller packs of meat you will save money, despite not being as good ‘value’.
If there’s a special offer on a 1 KG bag of carrots, it’s still not going to turn out cheaper than buying the two loose carrots you’re likely to eat in a week.
6. Buy frozen
Where these rules don’t apply is on frozen food. It’s amazing value for students because it saves time, doesn’t go off, and you’ll know you’re going to eat it all eventually. A bag of potatoes the same price as a bag of Aunt Bessie’s mash will make a lot more mash, but by the time you get to that point those potatoes will have all grown eyes and be getting a bit mushy. Yuck.
7. Try couponing
Couponing is amazing, see that smoothie and quiche? Totally free. I’ve written an absolutely massive guide to couponing, and it really isn’t difficult to get into if you’ve got a bit of time. It’s amazing for picking up the little luxurious things you can’t really afford. I 100% recommend giving it a try, you’re not going to come away with trollies full of freebies like they do on TV, but a free bar of chocolate every now and again is definitely realistic.
8. Yellow stickers
There’s nothing I love more than a yellow sticker reduction, and there’s definitely a knack for hunting down the best bargains - they’re all explained in my article on supermarket reductions tips & tricks if you want to find out how.
9. Make sure you always have food in the house
It’s always tempting to buy a takeaway when there’s no ‘easy’ food in your kitchen, which is why I recommend ALWAYS having an emergency ready meal or some pasta sauce in the freezer. When you want a Chinese you’re probably just going to do it, but sometimes you only make an order because you’d rather spend £20 than walk in the cold to Tesco.
10. Use cashback and discount codes
I’m not going to advise you not to buy takeaways, they’re DELICIOUS and sometimes nothing else will hit the spot. But if you do, try and remember to look up a discount code and get cashback. You can get 50% off at Pizza Hut and Domino’s quite often, so it’s always worth keeping an eye out.
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