Living on a budget it can be fun

Shopping online is good advice. It means you can shop for the things you really need, and not get distracted by nice things as you walk past them. It means you end up spending less! Also remember to shop on a full stomach. You tend to buy too much food when you're feeling hungry.

:) xxx

added 28 / 04 / 07 10:35

I understand the logic and its all true I'll take the advice when I'm off in uni

added 29 / 04 / 07 09:50

I understand the logic and its all true I'll take the advice when I'm off in uni

added 29 / 04 / 07 09:50

Not everything you have needs to be branded. And if you have to have brands at leats look out for the BOGOF offers etc

added 01 / 05 / 07 09:27

Big bag of pasta you can get from super markets costs like £1 odd, with pasta you cannot go wrong! fills you up and is quickly done and you can anything to it from tuna - carrots - mushrooms - supernoodles ;)

added 03 / 05 / 07 12:20

Its all about stores such as.. Lidl, Aldi, Netto or if u wanna be an upmarket student Asda lol! Trust me the first three mentioned are good for bulk buying they may not be branded but they are just as good if not better its just peoples mindset that brand is better when in all reality it is probably worse! So go visit these shops but..do be warned a few of thos above dont provide carrier bags so take your own so u dont have to pay for theirs!xxx

added 05 / 05 / 07 12:14

Agreed. Theres no reason to by branded food weher your at uni or not. Heinze beens or asda beans or morrison beans are all still beans. Regardless what M&S may say , theres no way to taste the difference there.

As for internet shopping, im not convinced. The price to pay for home delivery is broken eggs and washing up liquid or similar spilt over everything.
Also, how many would seliver to a uni halls?

-A

added 08 / 05 / 07 11:52

as long as you feel dat tummy dont matter which shop you got the food from

added 08 / 05 / 07 02:44

i rarely ever buy branded products. for simple things like bread and fruit economy will usually be alright. and i always try to buy versatile things too. also, if you've got the time, id recommend only buying what you need when you need it, rather than doing one big shop- saves cupboard space too!

added 10 / 05 / 07 01:56

ooh, but i WILL be buying branded babybel and tropicanna...

added 10 / 05 / 07 01:58

I read somewhere on the internet that the same people who make the branded stuff i.e Heinz also make the value stuff like Tesco value beans. I've never noticed the difference and it's worth baring in mind when your deciding between branded beans or a new cd:-)

added 12 / 05 / 07 08:50

Budgeting is easy! Just say no, talk to yourself if u have to, be your own mum at times x

added 12 / 05 / 07 10:19

I like to build my food budget around healthy and versitile staples, such as porridge, rice, pasta, etc. Porridge, for example, is ridiculously cheap for the amount of breakfasts it provides (approx 3p per meal), and it's damned healthy, too! You can also add all sorts of stuff to it for a little variety. Cheap food doesn't have to be unhealthy.

added 15 / 05 / 07 01:23

agree on the non-branded stuff but there has to be a couple of exceptions. TEA! buy yorkshire tea - nothing else. LOO-ROLLS! buy andrex/charmin to avoid fingers through paper trauma. BREAD! has to be good ie not smartprice - it tastes like ass. and finally CHEESE! cheap cheese tastes like rubber. no questions - apart from those few go ahead - but all the own brand stuff u can carry! :)

added 15 / 05 / 07 06:45

I rarely buy branded items when I shop, unless the offers on them are good value. £1.00 for a kilo of dried pasta, excellent or what? I shop for 2 people as do my Mum and her shopping is usually £25 more a week than mine. She's a brand name slave!

added 16 / 05 / 07 06:18

Lidl all the way

added 17 / 05 / 07 09:43

oh and Aldi of course

added 17 / 05 / 07 09:44

dont buy alcohol you will be able to buy the nicest food possible if you stay away from that also when you are 30 you wont look as old alcohol is the worst ageing of the body around remember that

added 24 / 05 / 07 04:56

Ebay! for practically everything! (and no...I don't work for them!)

added 16 / 06 / 07 11:02

I think its more important than anything to eat three meals a day. By doing this, you're not tempted to eat in between and you know what to eat and when to eat it. Although uni life can be a little crazy and unorganised, by sticking to a food routine, you'll save yourself a bomb on things you don't really need :)

added 28 / 06 / 07 11:40

what about organic foods and organic products such as an organic towel which i got for free by introducing my friend to take the free offer

added 28 / 06 / 07 01:45

Thank you very much for stating the obvious.

added 01 / 07 / 07 09:11

yeah...
gotta agree, alot of stuff is actually the same..
my brother worked in a factory once, for a month or so, where they packed chicken nuggets, and they had boxes to put them in, apparently the same chicken just goes into differant boxes..
dunno if its all the same as chicken nuggets..
but alot of cheap food is nice..
but as someone else said..
there are exceptions..
never buy cheap cheese..
or toilet roll

added 04 / 07 / 07 10:17

sort of common sence really though isn't it. I think I'd like to get out of the university now and then, plus if tou go yourself uyou can go to the reduced section for the bargins.

added 17 / 07 / 07 03:22

Although not a student yet, I live on £10 a week for food (and I don't have a Tesco or Aldi near me!). I only eat fresh veg, fruit, meat and fish and get my 3 meals a day. So it's easy to do! Best thing is to plan your meals in advance and just buy those ingredients rather than just wondering round the shop. As a single person I cook a meal for 4 and then just split the left overs, wrap them in foil and pop them in the freezer for future ready meals! Students should always have enough money, if not, it just means they can't handle their finances :o)

added 19 / 07 / 07 01:51

i am due to start uni in september and im REALLY worried about budget!! i have been working 4 the year and have got used to buying nice things and dont know how i am going to be able 2 stop myself!! have found all this info on here really usefull tho so thanks evry1!! xx

added 30 / 07 / 07 06:45

S'ALLL BOUT PAK FOOD STORES LMAO TRUSTTT MAN THEY'RE PROPAAA CHEAP UNO....MOST LIKELY TO FIND 1 IN AN ASIAN POPULATED AREA YE LOLLL

added 01 / 08 / 07 01:04

Having unfortunately worked at factories that make biscuits and mineral water (well not make, but you know what I mean) I've spent what feels like forever watching all the same things go into brand name packets and own brand packets, so hopefully I'll remember this when on a budget. Or maybe I'll get distracted by the pretty colours and forget.

added 01 / 08 / 07 10:48

Luckily I have a morrisons just across the road so I wouldn't have to walk that far for my shopping lol. I'm starting my first year of uni in September and I'm quite scared I'll overspend cos I know I'll get nice things and stuff. Just have to remember to keep money aside for the more important things!

added 02 / 08 / 07 09:42

Interesting! Helps me to have a general view of whats coming! lol :p I better be prepared since im always picky to get the best stuff >.<

added 03 / 08 / 07 05:02

I work at farmfoods (woohoooooooo go me lol) and its really really cheap. So...if your halls are near a farmfoods...

added 03 / 08 / 07 08:23

Avoid ready meals!!! such a waste of money, high in calories and not always that healthy - hidden fats etc. Best to try and cook summut similar for yourself but at half the price. AND KFC, £6 for a meal now.....you could get sooo much food for that and not be eating 60% fat!

added 05 / 08 / 07 06:21

I've been reading through all of the comments, Im totally agreeing with some of them! I can understand that a 3 meal a day, and being realistic with what to purchase when... Im going to give it a go!

Thanks

Shall let you know how I get on!

:P

added 08 / 08 / 07 12:28

buy food in open market!

added 08 / 08 / 07 04:46

I am starting Uni in September and I was a bit worried about the money situation but thank you to all of your usefull comments I now feel alot better! Thank you!!

added 09 / 08 / 07 05:15

Avoid buying drinks/juices from the refridgerated areas of supermarkets. Some are more expensive than the same, or even better ones u find stacked on shelves! Unless u want it ice cold there and then :P lol

added 10 / 08 / 07 03:03

asda smart price all the way!!

added 16 / 08 / 07 04:50

I'm used to supermarket shopping on a budget, and I have learned that if you take a small calculator with you, it helps you keep on track, adding as you go along. It works for me :) I'm not really sure of the prices over there or any of the stores, but I'll take the advice given here and check out the places mentioned.

added 17 / 08 / 07 07:58

i'm afraid i disagree with the motto - buy things just when you need them & don't bulk buy. I did a shop about 3 months ago, spending £50 & still got plenty in the freezer. obviously fresh stuff doesnt count as it doesn't last long..so only buy a little of this, no point buying stuff u r gonna have to throw away. But, do check out labels as alot of fresh food is freezable...ideal purchases. My personal must haves are kilo bags of pasta from asda £1 & buy any 3 asda squash bottles for £2.50. personally i wouldn't buy shops-own bread as it is disgusting...but supermarket beans taste just the same...as do the supermarket equivalent in cereals. I shop at asda, but admittingly i work there so get a discount. Hey...another piece of advice...get a pt job in a supermarket & save some money!lol plus u get 1st dibs at reductions...especially beer!

added 17 / 08 / 07 03:53

Yeah I don't agree with the just buy when you need it. I think a bulk buy at the start of term for things like tins of soup and beans and like canned and dry goods will work out cheaper in the long run because that food can last for ages. So by the end of term when all the loan is gone you still have something in the cupboard to eat

added 17 / 08 / 07 11:43

I think thats a good idea getting your shopping with a group of people but its going to be hard for the first couple of weeks not really knowing anyone, but in the long run it will be worth it and more money to spend on booze! :) xx

added 20 / 08 / 07 06:06

Another big big way to save through internet shopping?

CASH COOPERATIVES!

Check out www.quidco.com and sites like that (greasypalm is one, and rpoints... but I like quidco. Clean website, no silly ads, no gimmicks, full cashback after your 5 pound first earnings).

Do your research on this, and you'll be rewarded... taking advantage of this as we speak, especially for the textbooks I've got to buy!

added 20 / 08 / 07 10:47

I've read most of these posts and nobody has mentioned market stalls (sorry if I've overlooked anyone who has!)... I went to check out Cambridge last Saturday and wandered around the market and the vegetables were so cheap and great value for money. Plus they're locally grown which is better for the environment and supports the local community!! I'd advise anyone to find out if you have a local market place because that will save a lot of money.
Plus I have bought myself a £20 blender with different attachments to make soups, smoothies etc with the fruit and veg I buy from the market so I shall be saving there too as not spending money towards packaging, travel costs etc of supermarket food. Also allows you to watch what goes into your meals and once again is better for the environment!

added 24 / 08 / 07 11:36

i swer to ya! asda smart price jaffacakes r exactly the same as the branded stuff!!

and haha i soo agree with 'the finger thru the paper' effect with the toilet paper!i thnk there r exceptions wen buyn stuff; loo roll, cheese shuld be quality stuff!
and at the mo' im just *borrowing* tinnedfood and household stuff frm my house so i cn take to uni! lol im sure my famly wnt mind me taking the giant pack of loo roll i *borowed* hehhee

added 27 / 08 / 07 08:48

wat about MEAT! its so goddam expensive well lamb is and pork n beef next, looks like its gonna be chicken n veggies 4 me, red meat wen you get home! hehe! Branded loo roll all the way! oo an idea (i'll never stick to it but..) make a meal plan for the week and make sure u stick to it, e.g mon spag bol, tues... etc u dont waste food or buy too much then. kxx

added 28 / 08 / 07 05:03

Asda Smartprice - u cant go wrong. 1 tin of baked beans = 17p wehey!!!

added 28 / 08 / 07 11:08

Sound advice. But you can't beat a bag of Supernoodles

added 30 / 08 / 07 06:39

tru tru th noodles r good! lol stil if u stock up with food in ur house each time u go home 4 a wknd etc ur sorted 4 a while!!

added 30 / 08 / 07 08:04

i liek supernoodles.
i have no problem living o them 4 3 years!!
=]

added 03 / 09 / 07 12:08

I used to work at a food nutrition lab, we tested hundreds of brands of every type of food. I can verify that there are actually very few producers of food, and very many companies selling the same product at a real variety of prices. I think that snobbish "I can taste the difference" people are often suffering from a placebo effect set off by clever marketing. Although saying that, I'm a sucker for real Jaffa Cakes.

added 03 / 09 / 07 08:24

supernoodles all the way lad!

added 05 / 09 / 07 12:08

All this talking about food has made me hungry, im off to the sandwhich shop!

added 06 / 09 / 07 10:14

that is because real jaffa cakes are different - there created by fairies. I have hand (mouth) tested these rigorously and conclude there is a substantial difference in quality. But i would have to agree with the own branded comments - saving penny penny pennies :D

added 06 / 09 / 07 02:25

find a good market and get your food there! whenever i'll be coming home i'll be raiding the cupboards and taking stuff back with me :)

added 06 / 09 / 07 04:33

Mmm supernoodles, the chicken flavour! mmmmmmm!

added 21 / 09 / 07 01:12

A tip my older sister used at uni was buying the dented tins of supermarket own brand spaghetti hoops or bean or whatever, they were literally about 5p just for a dent that has no imapct on the flavour!

I don't know if all supermarkets do it, or if any still do it (she was at uni quite a while ago)

Worth looking into though....

added 21 / 11 / 07 04:07

it's difficult to find food which is good, healthy, and cheap

added 03 / 12 / 07 10:22

when you make meals, make them in larger quantities and freeze them in smaller tubs, you can then take them out in the morning and they'll be ready to heat in the afternoon. soups are the best coz the ingredients are cheap. also put your money togther with friends and eat together, each of you cook one night each, for example. :D

added 04 / 12 / 07 07:51

I agree that pasta is a relly good choice, and you have different shapes and sizes and you can put different stuff on it every day, I eat that all the time :)

added 13 / 12 / 07 06:09

Oh lord I'm gonna run out of money!!! :(

added 14 / 12 / 07 11:25

looks like im goin 2 b budgeting all the way with 9p tins of beans :)

added 19 / 12 / 07 07:51

I like what I'm hearing from everyone. I've got a blender so I can make loads of smoothies for under £1 (better than innocent or shakeaway). Open markets are great for cheap meat and veg too.

The only problem I have with things like cheap meat and eggs are the chemicals companies shove in them. Ideally I'd go organic all the way, but all the fresh stuff is so expensive...

Things like loyalty cards and UCAS cards are great for discounts too! :-) If you can, get text books second hand (sorry if your doing a science and you need up-to-date copies) and try not to drink too much! But if you want to drink avoid bars. BYOB rocks!

added 05 / 01 / 08 06:56

I am really looking forward to be living on VALUE branded food and charity shop clothes.

Its going to be SOOO cool ;o

added 21 / 01 / 08 06:07

er... there ARE other shops, not just supermarkets, here (and in Dundee I hear) there are Matthew's Foods asian supermarkets (probably in other cities/towns too). The prices are vastly cheaper for many things you can get in other supermarkets (eg, 16p for a green pepper, 69p in sainsburys). Oh and yeah pasta ftw. Learn to cook >_<

added 22 / 01 / 08 09:02

Theres also shops like Busy Bee who buy all factory outlet(products that haven't been bought as they have produce more than the demand). These products are all branded yet there half the price.

added 23 / 01 / 08 10:17

I LOVE SUPERNOODLES ON TOAST!!!
Great 4 a hangover :) yummy xxx

added 23 / 01 / 08 11:38

Sainsburys basic range all the way!!

added 25 / 01 / 08 12:35

when i was in uni, i had what was called the 'blue label cupboard' because everything was tesco own food. After a while you get a taste for any food you can get your hands on coz your so poor, like celery dipped in peanut butter and baked beans over salad (which is gorgeous btw!). I never ever once had branded food (unless it was booze coz tescos own vodka tastes like toilet cleaner). My bf always taught me to look out for all the offers first and try and build a menu for the week out of it...but im too lazy so when I go back to uni this year, its all fruit,veg, fish & meat from the market, huge £1 bags of pasta, 25p pasta sauces and toiletries from the pound store!!! I also found buying huge bags of carrots for like 70p really helped me out when i was peckish in lectures, just pop em in a lil plastic tub!

added 26 / 01 / 08 09:18

UMD milk AKA long-life milk... I think be able to handle my grocers since I have been doing for my family since I was 12 and am dead serious about that... btw has any1 noticed the tesco energy drinks taste exactly like redbull and is less than a quarter of the price of 1 redbull?

added 27 / 01 / 08 12:25

depressing thinking about this lol. gonna miss being able to buy clothes whenever i want!

added 11 / 02 / 08 01:39

lissening to every1 has reashord me that uni life isent going 2 be much diferent i cant remember the last brand name product i have bort and i always do the shoping and its lidl all the way espesh for choclate althow i always get eges from the market they tast nicer. and i agrey with the bulk bying cas its good for the envirowment and your pocket i just wish lidls did diliverys lol. (:

added 13 / 02 / 08 12:23

Deliveries are way better for the environment people! I agree with buying as much fruit and veg. from markets so much more cheaper! Thanks for all the advice.

added 13 / 02 / 08 09:01

This may or may not be useful, but if you have a Morrisons (I'm not sure how good other supermarkets are for this) close to where you are in university, if you get there at the right time, say about 7-7.30 they reduce the food for the last time.
That means that you can get loads of food items for 5-9p each. I work there, and there is a huge amount of people coming through the checkouts paying about 2.50 and leaving with about 5 bagfuls of shopping. It's crazy.
You can even get whole cooked chickens for 49p if you're lucky enough.
hehe
xD
:)

added 27 / 02 / 08 12:39

I am so excited about budgeting! I don't know what'll be near halls but i'm going own brand every time. You cannot taste the difference and it means you have more money for other stuff. And I will never