Stretching your money further doesn’t have to mean plain pasta or baked beans on repeat.
So, what’s the best way to save money as a student?
These 10 tips will help you spend less, waste less and still eat well.
1. Create a weekly budget
Divide your remaining money (after bills) by the weeks until your next payment, that will give you your total weekly budget. You can then split these into pots for all the things you spend money on like food, transport, activities and fun.
2. Learn some staple recipes
Meals like lentil dhal, fried rice and chilli are filling, cheap and easy. Having four or five go-to’s in your repertoire means you’re never standing in the kitchen contemplating instant noodles for the third day in a row. Check our fave recipes here.
3. Batch cook when you can
Cook in bulk and freeze portions. This helps prevent overspending on takeaways and eating out.Spend a couple of hours cooking something big and thank yourself for the rest of the week. It also means nothing gets wasted, and that makes us pretty chuffed too. See our top recipes.
4. Use your freezer
Freeze ingredients you won’t use in time to avoid waste and use them later instead of buying more. Here’s a guide on freezing.
5. Find yellow-sticker deals in supermarkets
No more stalking the staff with the yellow sticker machine. Browse Reduced Food from nearby supermarkets in real time on Olio – so you can shop smarter and save money. Find out more about how to stretch your grocery budget.
6. Cook seasonally
Seasonal fruit and veg are often cheaper, fresher and last longer. When supply is high prices often drop and you get more food for the same money. Plus, food usually tastes better in season and it’s a fun way to challenge yourself to get creative in the kitchen. See what’s in season.
7. Plan your shop
Write a shopping list and stick to it to avoid impulse buys. Remember, no one needs three types of hummus for one week.
8. Check what you have
Check your cupboards before shopping and plan meals around what needs using first. Using up what you already have means you’ll waste less and spend less without even trying!
9. Understand food dates
“Use by” dates are about safety, while “best before” is about quality. Many foods are still fine after their best before date – check by looking, smelling and tasting. Lots of food gets wasted unnecessarily because of this mix-up – don’t let that be you.
10. Store food properly
Knowing how to store your food properly can add days or even weeks to the life of your food. Use storage tricks to keep food fresher for longer – some can last longer than you think! Read our tips here.
Nobody has student budgeting completely figured out – but with a plan, a freezer and Olio on your phone, you’re already making a good start.