Whether you’ve just got your loan through and have got money to burn, or you’re at the end of term and are struggling to pay for a pint, the one thing you’ll have to spend money on throughout your whole time at uni is food. So it makes sense to work out how to get the most for your money and how to waste as little of it as possible. Here’s a few hints and tips to help you on your money saving way:
• Try planning your weeks’ meals
You don’t have to do this every week, but it definitely helps save a bit of the old mo-honey. Work out what you’ll eat every night for that week and draw up a menu plan. Work out the ingredients you need and draw up a shopping list, and when you go shopping, stick to it! Now, you won’t spend money on stuff you don’t need, saving your cash for that all important pint at the union.
• Look out for special offers
Keep your eye out in the supermarket for any special offers such as Buy One Get One Frees or Half Price offers. These are great ways to save money.
• Try shopping at the market
Although you may think it’s the place where your gran goes to buy her pound of mince, or where you can pick up a dubiously cheap flat screen telly, the market is a wicked place to shop when you’re a student. Unlike the supermarket, you can buy things in much smaller quantities, meaning it’s way cheaper. Market traders will also knock off a couple of quid or give you a student discount; something most supermarkets won’t do! One last thing-people at the market will be able to tell you how to cook what you’ve bought. So if you’re not quite sure how to cook that piece of cod you’ve just bought, ask and they’ll be able to help you!
• Remember to freeze!
If you buy more meat or fish than you need, then remember you can always freeze it and have it for another night. Whatever you buy, split it up once you’ve bought it and separate it out into freezer bags. Label it up then pop it in the freezer and defrost it the day before you want to use it.
• Buy Supermarket Own Brand
Supermarket own brand products taste pretty much the same and are usually cheaper than any big name products. When you’re cooking at uni, you won’t be able to taste much difference between the two, but you’ll save a lot of cash.
Tags: Bargains, shopping, Students, Supermarkets, Tips
