How to eat on a budget
Learning to manage your money as a student is really important and a life lesson that will stand you in good stead.
There are plenty of ways to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to grocery shopping and cooking. Here, we’ll explore some low-cost food options you can add to your shopping list, as well as some budget food recipes that’ll keep you full while helping you save some pennies.
What is a reasonable food budget?
As a student, managing your cost of living is important to have a stress-free time at uni. Groceries are a necessary expense but without proper management, they can get pricey.
Of course, the amount you spend on food every month or week is influenced by lots of different variables including the types of food you cook and eat. Your monthly food budget can also change depending on where you live and where you decide to shop.
According to a 2023 Which? survey, the cheapest supermarkets in the UK were Aldi and Lidl. Waitrose was the most expensive supermarket.
On average, you should put aside around £30 - £45 for weekly food shopping. If you live in London, which is known for being quite an expensive city to live in the UK, then you may have to budget between £100 to £300 per month.
You may also like to consider sharing the cost of everyday essentials such as bread, butter and milk with your housemates or fellow iQ neighbours to stretch your budget.
Budget food plan: Creating a low-cost food plan
One of the best ways to save money on food is to create detailed meal plans. These plans help you shop efficiently, reduce food waste, and reduce your spending on eating out.
Create a budget meal plan by following just a few simple steps;
- Make menus that outline all your meals for the week
- Include some plant-based meals using fresh ingredients to save money on expensive meat
- Plan meals that you can batch-cook and reheat for leftovers
- Explore recipes that make use of tinned food to keep costs down
- Cook freezer-friendly meals that can be safely defrosted in the near future
Find out how to properly meal prep with iQ Student Accommodation.
Use simple budget food recipes
There are so many cheap meals to make when you’re trying to save money. Plus, there are lots of helpful websites and cookbooks that offer savvy, student-friendly recipes. BBC Food, The Real Meal Deal and The Student Food Project are just some of our favourites.
When looking for budget food recipes to try, avoid recipes that need ‘special’ ingredients that you won’t use regularly.
Also, whip up ‘cook once, eat twice’ meals. This will help maximise the number of meals you get from one dish. For example, a potato salad can become mashed potato or a roast chicken can become chicken noodle soup.
Healthiest and cheapest foods
You may think the healthier the food, the more expensive the food shop, but you can actually get the best of both. Next time you’re putting your shopping list together, consider buying the healthiest and most low-cost food on the market.
Fruits and vegetables
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Bananas
- Apples
- Sweet potatoes
Grains and legumes
- Brown rice
- Dried lentils
- Oats
- Edamame
Meat
- Pork
- Chicken breast
- Tinned tuna
Dairy
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
Canned items
- Canned tomatoes
- Canned beans
- Canned chickpeas
Other
- Peanut butter
- Popcorn
Tips for cheap food shopping
Planning your next trip to the store? There are a couple of nifty tips that can help you save some bucks.
- Eat seasonal foods as the prices of out-of-season foods typically rise
- Make use of store cards that give you points or cashback rewards
- Look out for specials and coupons
- Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags - you don’t want to have to purchase them at the store
At iQ, our purpose-built accommodation aims to make student living a breeze. You’ll have access to all the cooking amenities you’ll ever need to create your meals, including induction hobs and utensils. When you choose a studio or one-bed apartment, you’ll even have a private kitchen all to yourself
Ready to start cooking? Check out this fun and simple student recipe book for ideas. For other effective ways to manage your spending, view the best budgeting apps for students.
