Shopping on a budget

Most students have to be very careful with their money, even with a part time job and with the price of grocery items rising shopping for filling healthy food is tough. 

See below a few tips to help when shopping. 

• I know it obvious but make a list, check what you have in the cupboard so you don't buy what you don't need, make a meal plan but be prepared to change if other items are on special offer. 
• Shop in the morning, after some food, shopping this time of the day is when you are more focused and less likely to buy on impulse.
• Find out if there is a local veg market, they are normally much cheaper that the supermarket.
• Don't be afraid to use frozen veg and berries these are just as healthy as fresh and there is no waste if you don't eat them quickly.
• Store carrots in a resealable bag they stay fresh for much longer. Also put grapes and fresh berries in glass jars with lids they last for weeks like that, I discovered this with strawberries and they last so long in glass jars rather than going off in 3 hours in the plastic containers. 
• Buy items in season, out of season fruit and veg is very expensive.
• Try cheaper brands, most of the time they taste the same as the more expensive ones. 
• Add grated carrot to mince to bulk out and give you some veg. 
• Make you own pasta sauce using chopped tinned tomatoes, 1 onion grated, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 cloves of garlic, splash of worcester sauce, 1/4 tsp chilli flakes ( optional) Brown the onion, add everything else and stir until bubbling, sorted and healthier and cheaper than a ready made sauce. 
• Rolls a bit stale, splash with water and pop in the oven for a few minutes, freshens them up lovely. 
• Bulk buy pasta and rice with your house mates, usually these items are much cheaper in bulk.