Weekly living tips

• Share Food Bills and Cook Together: Saves money and time. Rotate cooking duties with housemates.
   
• Cook from Scratch: It’s cheaper and healthier.
   
• Bulk Buy Dried Goods: Items like rice and pasta are much cheaper when bought in larger quantities.
   
• Batch Cook and Freeze: Make large portions and save leftovers for future meals.
   
• Meal Planning: Helps you buy only what you need and reduces waste.
   
• Take Packed Lunches: Planning ahead can save a lot of money on campus.
   
• Minimize Takeaways: Treat yourself occasionally, but look for vouchers and deals to save.
   
• Weekly Shopping Budget: Track your spending weekly/monthly to stay on top of your finances.
   
• Savvy Shopping: Look for deals, discounts, and compare prices, especially with online shopping.
   
• DIY Cleaning Products: Save money by making effective household cleaners using simple ingredients like white vinegar or lemon juice mixed with water for pennies! (It really does work!).
   
• 11 Essential Cooking Tips for Students (Save the Student)

Easy money saving cooking Ideas:

• Easy Pasta Dish with Tinned Tomatoes, Kidney Beans, and Basil, enough to freeze leftover portions.

Ingredients:

• 200g pasta (any type)
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes or passata (400g)
• 1 tin kidney beans (400g), drained and rinsed (for protein)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped or minced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tsp dried basil (or a handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped)
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta: Boil a pot of water, add a pinch of salt, and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Sauce: In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add Garlic and Peppers: Add the garlic and chopped bell pepper to the pan. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the peppers start to soften.
4. Add Tomatoes and Beans: Pour in the tinned tomatoes or passata and add the drained kidney beans. Stir well.
5. Season: Add the dried basil (or fresh basil if using), and season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, mixing well to coat the pasta evenly.
7. Serve or Store: This recipe makes approximately 4 servings. Serve hot, and allow any extra servings to cool before transferring them to airtight containers or zip-lock bags to save space in the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, defrost in the fridge overnight and heat through in a pan or microwave until piping hot.

• Easy Mild Chickpea Curry. Enough to freeze leftover portions.

Ingredients:

• 1 tin chopped tomatoes (400g)
• 1 tin coconut milk (400ml)
• 1 tin chickpeas (400g), drained and rinsed (for protein)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: fresh coriander for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Base: In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add Garlic and Spices: Add the minced garlic, curry powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, and turmeric. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
3. Add Tomatoes and Coconut Milk: Pour in the tinned tomatoes and coconut milk. Stir well to combine.
4. Add Chickpeas: Add the drained chickpeas to the pot, stirring to mix them into the sauce.
5. Simmer: Bring the curry to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve or Store: This recipe makes approximately 4 servings. Serve hot over rice, and allow any extra servings to cool before transferring them to airtight containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, defrost in the fridge overnight and heat through in a pan or microwave until piping hot.

These recipes are designed for easy-budget batch cooking, making meal prep simple and convenient. Add meat as desired (but it does increase the cost) Enjoy!

Comment on this post with your own top tips for saving money on a weekly basis!