Money Matters

Food

Cooking is an unavoidable necessity when you’re living away from home. It can often feel like a chore, but if you embrace the idea that cooking can be fun you may actually enjoy it. It’s much cheaper and healthier to cook for yourself than rely on takeaways and convenience foods. 

Food shopping on a budget

Sainsbury has put together a useful guide on how to eat healthy on a budget. They say that choosing a healthy diet does not have to be more expensive. See the Sainsbury's guide to healthy eating on a budget.

If you’re making a shopping list, always check the store cupboard essentials as it’s handy to have surplus in stock eg baked beans, cereals, tea, coffee, sugar, pasta, rice, soup, tuna, oil, salt, pepper, herbs and spices, tinned tomatoes. And don’t forget cleaning products and toiletries, as these often cost a great deal more at the local ‘convenience’ store.

Useful tips for stretching your food budget

  • Make a shopping list and stick to it
  • Never shop when you’re hungry
  • Shop after 7pm or on Sunday afternoons when there may be bargains on offer
  • Check online for the latest supermarket offers
  • Look at the price per 100g to compare prices
  • Wait for multibuy offers to get your essentials and buy in bulk with friends
  • Always buy unpackaged fruit and vegetable – better for the purse and possibly the environment
  • Always check sell-by dates, especially for perishable goods
  • Do some research as to which fruit and vegetables are in season - they should be cheaper
  • Always check sell-by dates, especially for perishable goods
  • Treat enticing supermarket offers with caution - it may seem like a bargain, but will you use it?
  • Grow your own herbs and vegetables – you only need a windowsill or a few pots
  • Have meat-free days – substitute meat and chicken with beans and pulses, which are filling and cheaper
  • Keep a written record of your spending.

Quick and easy cooking

Cooking for yourself can be quick and easy if you learn some basic skills. If you are a novice in the kitchen, it may be worthwhile investing in a cookery book. You can often pick up cheap, but good- quality secondhand books in charity shops.

You can save money by only cooking what you need or by making bigger portions of food and freezing them. Love Food Hate Waste lets can calculate how much you need to cook so there is little or no wastage. It also has some great ideas on how to re-use your leftovers.

There are plenty of cookery books aimed specifically at students. Some of the more popular ones are:

There are also plenty of websites with quick ideas for cooking healthy, affordable meals, such as StudentRecipes.com or Jamie's Home Cooking Skills.

Supermarkets

Aldi

The German supermarket chain is famous for its monthly 'Aldi Super 6' offers. You can find excellent low prices but the famous brand names are much harder to find.

Website | Google Maps

Asda

A favourite amongst students because of its low prices. Its home brand 'smart price' offers good value at a very low price. 
Website

The Co-operative

If you like Fairtrade and food ethics The Co-operative is the place. It is ranked the top ethical supermarket in the UK. 
Website | Google Maps

Iceland

If frozen food is your thing, this is the place for you, where bargains can be found in the freezers. 
Website | Google Map

Lidl

Another German supermarket chain where you can pick up a bargain. It offers quality produce at a low price. 
Website | Google Map

Morrisons

Offering value for money with both known brands as well as its own (Morrisons value).
Website | Google Maps

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's like us to 'try something new today' and promote a healthy and balanced diet. It is committed to providing clear and transparent labelling so you know what kind of food you're eating. Its own home brand (Basics) offers very low prices.
Website | Google Maps

Taj

Well worth mentioning for its wide range of international foods and varied fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices. Prices can sometimes be a bit higher than supermarkets but if you are after something unusual or occasional, you could find it here.
Google Maps

Tesco

The UK's biggest supermarket chain. It has its own brand (Tesco Value) as well as all major brands.
Website | Google Maps

Waitrose

For students who love cooking and can afford spending a few extra pounds on quality. Even though it keeps its quality high it does its best to keep prices on everyday items low. Its essential range offers relativly competitive value. It also has free home delivery for orders over £50.
Website | Google Maps

Supermarkets in Brighton

Student cooking for himself