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Thrifty with Finances: How to Make the Most of Your Weekly Shop
Food costs can actually be one of the biggest expenses for students, but a bit of planning can help you save whilst still eating well. Making the most of your weekly shop and preparing meals in advance can reduce food waste, cut down on convenience food costs and make budgeting much easier.
Written By
Res Life Team
Plan your meals ahead
It’s never a good idea to head into a supermarket without a plan or hungry! Make sure you’ve eaten and done a bit of forward thinking about what you might eat for the week before heading out. Things to consider are your schedule, how much time do you have to cook, how many meals do you need, can you make more to save and what do you already have at home. Creating a concise shopping list can help you avoid spending things you don’t need and reduces the temptation for impulse purchase.Shop smarter not harder
Before shopping: compare prices, look for offers, own brand produce and budget alternatives. Many basics such as pasta, frozen vegetables, rice, tins, jars, can be found cheaper when unbranded whilst still being well balanced.Batch cook
Meal prepping doesn’t have to be boring and eating the same thing every day. By cooking a large portion and saving leftovers can make your money stretch further and save time during the week. Simple meals such as curries, pasta, soups, chillies and soups are easy to prepare in bulk and can often be refrigerated and/or frozen for a later date.Reduce food waste
Making the most of your food is a great way to save money. Always check use by dates, look for yellow stickers and try to use the same ingredients across your meals and buy a larger value bag. Larger bags are often better value for money and if you can make it fit into all your meals will save you some cash. Another tip is to look for the reduced ‘yellow sticker’ section, a lot of things are sold off cheap and can be frozen the same day to make it last (always check the label though).Make it a forever thing
Meal planning can take some time and effort at first, but it will soon become just part of your routine. By shopping with a plan, cooking more often and utilising what you already have you can save some extra cash whilst you enjoy what you eat!
It doesn’t have to be perfect; a few small changes each week can make a big difference to your budget and stretch your money further.
Res Life Team
The Residence Life Team create a supportive & engaging living environment for students, ensuring their wellbeing and fostering a sense of community within the campus residences.
