Budget & plan accordingly
- Before going on your weekly shop, sit down and figure out your budget
- Create a menu for what you’re going to eat that week. Then buy food accordingly
- Research recipes that use the same ingredients to cut down on wasting food
Frozen food is your friend
- Don’t shy away from the frozen aisle. Frozen meat and vegetables are often cheaper
No brand, no problem
- Are you a brand snob? Do you find yourself buying branded versions of store cupboard basics? It doesn’t really matter about the brand. Always go for the supermarket own brand rather than the pricier product brand. It’s usually the same but a lot cheaper
Sharing is caring
- Most students live in shared accommodation. Use this to your advantage. Look for offers, buy food in bulk, and split the bill with your house-mates. This means you’ll be able to take advantage of the savings but don’t have a surplus of food
- It is also a good idea to take turns cooking. This can be a good experience and can save you money
Clear up the clearance section
- If you live near to a supermarket, this is a great little tip to make the most of reduced price food. It involves calculating the best time to visit when the clearance section will have the most items in. Traditionally this is always around half an hour before they shut
Asda, Aldi & Lidl
- These are going to be the biggest weapons in your frugal food shopping arsenal. 99% of the time they will be cheaper than other shops. Even if it’s a 30 minute walk away it’ll be worth it (or bribe a friend that drives with the promise of a free dinner)
