Budget Eating

Some people consider the cost of eating astronomical, but it need not be. If you are on a budget there are several things you can do to cut the cost dramatically whilst still eating well. It might surprise you to know that when you shop is just as important as where. If you head for the supermarket just before it closes, you'll score some great bargains. Bread, cakes and cooked chicken are usually reduced at that time - sometimes up to half-price.

Go for the cheaper brands most of the time, but be careful. Tins of cheap brand spaghetti may not have as much actual spaghetti in them as the dearer ones. Buy in bulk and freeze when you can; it's usually cheaper. Homemade soups and stews are nutritious, delicious and cheap, so pester Gran for those old recipes. If it seems a lot of trouble to cook them, remember that you can freeze the leftovers and that will save you cooking for a couple of nights.

If you buy fresh fruit and vegetables from a growers market or wholesale mall, you could save heaps. If you can be sure of eating them quickly, fruit that is getting over-ripe is often sold at a cheaper rate. But be sure to examine the packet first in case there are bad ones in it.