EATING WELL ON A BUDGET
With the increasing cost of kai, you may find eating well on a budget tough, especially if you are on a part time or student income. However, by putting time aside to plan, using what is in season and on special, and getting creative in the kīhini, it is possible to eat well on a budget wāhine mā! Check out our top tips below.
Planning and organising
Setting aside some time to plan out a menu for the week ahead is a great way to ensure that you have something to cook each night and are less likely to cave in and order Uber Eats. It also means that you can structure your trip to the supermarket, by writing out a list of exactly what you need and therefore avoid overspending on things you don’t actually need! If you are flatting, having a cooking roster or even sharing one meal once a week can be a cost-saving move. We like using a printable food planner like the ones from Live Craft Eat.
In season and on special
It pays to take advantage of items that are on sale each week. Take inspiration from items that are on sale when organising your food plan for the week, so you can make sure you are getting the most out of your pūtea. You can also download apps such as the Grocer app, which allows you to compare prices for items between stores, which can be great if you buy in bulk or have more expensive items to buy.
Using fruit and vegetables that are in season can reduce your weekly food bill. Countdown’s ‘The Odd Bunch’ make buying items that are oddly shaped or smaller than average affordable too even when prices are high. Buying frozen vegetables is another cost-effective way to eat well, allowing you to have veges on hand and minimising waste!
Get creative in the kīhini
It is easy to end up with leftover kai in your fridge. Whether it’s a few old carrots or half an onion at the back, using it all up means less food waste and is also helpful for your bank account. Get creative by looking at meal ideas online based on the items you have at home! A slow cooker can be a great purchase to help you cook items such as soups, casseroles and it’s also great to utilise cheaper cuts of meat. Another kitchen item we love is the EziYo which makes your own yoghurt overnight.
Find new recipes
Stuck with what to make? There are so many websites, Instagram pages and apps out there that can help you on your budget culinary journey!
Look at student cooking guides from chefs such as Jamie Oliver – it will be better than noodles! https://www.jamieoliver.com/student-recipes/
Closer to home we have some mīharo cooks such as VJ Cooks, Tasty Twins and Everyday Simple who share affordable and yummy recipes online via Instagram.
While inflation is affecting the cost of living at the moment, and therefore the prices of food, you can still eat well and try to keep costs down by putting in some extra time and effort.
So, what’s on the menu tonight?!
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