SOME say the hardest part about being a student isn’t the studies, but the cost of living.
Getting by on a budget can be a worrisome time for students, but not this one as she nails her weekly food shop and shares the items you can buy to keep within a £5 limit.
Full time student Emily Wispa knows just how hard student life can be when you’re living on a budget.
But keeping to a tight budget and shopping at the right places, at the right time has saved her money.
“Living on a tight budget has given me the skills to be resourceful and creative with my finances,” she said.
“This includes going to the shops at a time when the groceries are discounted or using apps such as the “Too Good to Go” app to find cheap, yet lovely meals.
“I make it a point to look for discounted items and cheaper alternatives to maximise the value of my money.
“I would advise anyone struggling to create a budget plan and stick to it as best you can, it will help you be proactive with your spending.”
Putting her advice into action this savvy student who goes by the name of @yourfave.stephhh shares her trip to Asda in a clip on TikTok gaining her a whopping 99.1K likes.
Emily introduces her vlog saying: “Here’s how I survive on £5 per week at University.”
She starts off by buying a kilogram of white rice which costs her just 52p.
Keeping in with Asda’s ‘Just Essentials’ range she grabs a large pack of chicken wings from the fresh food aisle for £2.41.
Then a jar of curry sauce for 45p, “to spice up the chicken or to have as a sauce on its own”.
With just £1.62 left of her budget the student shopper heads to grab a loaf of ‘Just Essentials’ bread for her breakfast 52p, tinned potatoes and a bottle of Cola.
“A meal isn’t done with a big solid Coke so I grabbed myself one for just 70p,” she boasts.
Lastly Emily goes to add some instant noodles to her trolley but they were out of her price range so she put them back on the shelf and headed to the till to pay.
To her followers’ surprise her shopping came to just £4.91.
One commenter said: “ I spend about £5 an hour!”
While another generous commenter said: “ Can I send you a tenner please and you can get more food, been in your boat and counting every penny.”
Student Budget Weekly Shop For Under A Fiver
Subtotal = £4.91
Savings = 9p
The rise in food costs, energy and fuel prices affect many of us.
Surveys report growing concern about the rising cost of foods are leading people to spend less on essentials and are left with no choice but to choose the cheaper foods rather than the more nutritional.
A healthy, balanced diet helps make sure that our bodies get all the nutrients needed to work well and feel good.
In the UK, our healthy eating model is called the Eatwell Guide.
The guide has been developed scientifically, using modelling to look at the balance of different foods and drinks that provides the nutrients the body needs in the recommended amounts.
Nutritionists from the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) encourage Brits to ‘Shop Smart, Eat Smart’ and provide tips on how you can keep your food shopping costs down while still keeping a healthy conscious diet.
Cut down sugars
Swap white bread for brown wholemeal bread
Probiotic yogurts and canned fruit instead of ice cream and other sugary desserts
Stop overloading on carbs and add more Vegetables
Carbohydrate is part of a healthy diet, but pasta and rice can be packed full of sugar and salt so be mindful of your portion size. Canned and frozen vegetables are much cheaper than buying fresh veg. They’re just as good and should always take up most of your plate to ensure they’re always part of your weekly intake.
Swap meat for lentils and beans
Although meat is a good source of protein and iron, the government advises us to keep the amount of red and processed meat we eat to no more than 500g (cooked weight) per week as eating a lot of these can increase our risk of bowel cancer.
Try cooking lentil and chickpea alternatives, they’re cheaper and are far more nutritional.
Find out more by visiting: https://www.nutrition.org.uk/
