A savvy student has sparked widespread amazement online after revealing how they manage to eat well on a tight budget, posting a picture of their weekly food shop from Tesco that cost just £56.
The Viral Haul: What £56 Buys
The 23-year-old shared their receipt on Reddit, showing a surprisingly substantial and healthy haul designed to last slightly more than a week. The basket included a variety of fresh and store-cupboard items, proving that eating nutritiously on a student budget is possible with careful planning.
Among the items pictured were a bunch of bananas, red peppers, a 12-pack of eggs, orange juice, a bag of Quorn meat alternatives, a selection of cheeses, fresh herbs, berries, and avocados. The shop was rounded off with a treat: a packet of Tesco's Finest Sea Salt and Chardonnay Vinegar crisps.
In their caption, the student wrote: "£56 weekly shop for 23yo student. Will probably last me slightly more than a week!" The post quickly gained traction, amassing hundreds of upvotes and comments from impressed users.
Online Reaction: "Incredible Work"
The Reddit community was quick to praise the student's budgeting and healthy choices. One user commented, "Incredible work," while another noted, "A very healthy grocery shop!"
Others focused on the meal potential, with a third chiming in: "Looks like you're gonna make some tasty meals." The discussion even veered into product specifics, with some users debating the merits of pre-grated cheese versus block cheese and the juice content of different orange juice brands.
Top Tips for a Thrifty Food Shop
With the ongoing cost of living crisis squeezing household budgets, especially for students, smart shopping is more crucial than ever. Here are some proven strategies to make your money go further at the supermarket:
Plan Your Meals: Decide what you'll eat for the week ahead to avoid waste and impulse buys.
Stick to a List: Write a list based on your meal plan and do your best to follow it religiously.
Leverage Loyalty Schemes: Always use your Tesco Clubcard or other supermarket loyalty cards to access member prices and earn points.
Embrace Own-Brand: Supermarket own-label products are often significantly cheaper than branded equivalents and are frequently of similar quality.
Hunt for Yellow Stickers: Look out for reduced items, often found in the morning or early evening, for massive savings on short-dated products.
Shop Smart: Be wary of end-of-aisle promotions; only buy them if the item was already on your list.
Grab a Basket, Not a Trolley: Using a smaller basket can psychologically help you avoid overfilling it with unnecessary items.
The student's post serves as a timely reminder that with a bit of strategy and forethought, maintaining a decent food shop during financially challenging times is an achievable goal for many.
