Tackle the supermarket shop and restore a sense of order!

Living the student life isn’t always easy, especially when you’ve got all the pressures of deadlines, budgeting, getting sleep and simply adjusting to life as a university student!

Establishing a sense of order can be really useful for reducing the amount of stress and anxiety you go through. It can also boost self-confidence and make you feel like you’re on top of things.

Tackling the supermarket shop is one way you can establish a sense of order. It’s something all students have to do and getting into a regular money-saving routine will make all the difference to your schedule. Here are my top tips on how to SAVE:

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare! 

Now I admit I’m the worst at doing this, but creating a shopping list before you actually set out can really help you get organised - not to mention also avoiding those costly impulse buys. But here’s the thing - instead of just writing down whatever you feel like, have a plan of what you’re going to eat for the upcoming week. You don’t have to be the kind of person that does meal prep or plans the exact meal for every day of the week. But having an idea of what meals you’d like will help you save time in the future.

2. It’s all in the decisions! 

Think wisely about where you’re going to do your shops, and use budget supermarkets. Lidl is a student saviour (not to mention they have the most elite selection of bakery items). Avoid doing your weekly shop at supermarkets that you know are more expensive, but compare prices and consider going to a range of shops for certain items. Also, it can be worthwhile going to a wholesaler like Costco or Booker, as buying in bulk can significantly reduce the cost in the long term. Another tip is to buy multipacks, especially for household items or toiletries. If you’re super savvy, it can be worth checking out the price per unit when comparing brands. This way you can assess which item is better value for money, saving you even more! The price per unit can be found on the shelf tag.

3. Did somebody say special offer? 

The number one thing about being a student is that student discount! Big brands and companies are aware of students trying to get an extra deal, and they often offer incentives to make you come back for more. Looking out for discounts and offers can help you save - but be wary of how much you’ll actually be saving. Sometimes it can look like a good deal but when you realize you’re only saving 20p, it’s not as good as it seems.

4. Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry. 

This simple tip is really helpful and it makes a lot of sense. If you go shopping when you’re hungry you’re more likely to buy things you usually wouldn’t. This is also why it’s helpful to keep a list, to avoid spending on things you don’t need/haven’t budgeted for.

These are just a few of my most helpful tips: you can find more information on websites like Save the Student and Money Saving Expert. I hope you've found this article useful, happy shopping!