Mylife

Food on a budget

Money can often be a problem if you’re a student or if you’ve just started a job. You’ll want to economise, but don’t sacrifice your health.

These tips might help:

  • One big weekly shop at your local supermarket will work out cheaper than lots of single trips to the local shops over the week.
  • Bread, cereals, pasta and potatoes are cheap and filling.
  • Look out for supermarket ‘own brands’ and in-house specials.
  • Some supermarkets sell products at reduced prices as they approach their sell-by date, but remember to make sure you’ve eaten them before they reach the sell-by date.
  • Market stalls can be cheaper for fish, eggs, fruit and veg.
  • Buy foods such as pasta, rice, dried beans and lentils in bulk.
  • Frozen veg and tinned fruit can be useful if you find fresh ones go off before you use them.
  • Beans and pulses are cheap, filling and as nutritious as meat or fish. They take a bit more imagination to cook with, but it’s worth it.