Bon appetit (on a budget!)

Olive Krishka
Contributor

To eat or not to eat–that is the question: whether ’tis nobler in the stomach to suffer the sodium and MSG of fast food or to take arms against a sea of sugar and, by opposing, end them. Students of York University, I implore you; end the reign of high sodium and embrace the wholesomeness of your friendly neighbourhood supermarket.

Too expensive, you say? Think again. On average, a student’s weekly grocery bill is roughly $50 (buying no-name brand items, tax included) and multiplied by eight months – 32 weeks – is $1,600.

If that still seems like a lot to you, then consider this: the lowest on-campus meal plan costs $3,000. In addition, you have to spend all of that money by the end of the school year or lose it entirely; meal plans, unlike the plus and flex plans, don’t roll over into the following year.

For those of you in residence, a meal plan may be mandatory, but you will not go neglected! The strategies proposed here apply to residence dwellers and students in the Village alike.

I hope to provide all of you with smart strategies and delicious recipes that won’t put a hole in your pocket and lend a hand to you poor, downtrodden students whose pots and pans are not what they used to be. Don your apron and wash your paws: your adventures in frugal feasting are about to begin!

Step one: The Shop
Shopping is one of the hardest things to do as a student. High prices and limited selection seem to be everywhere you look, especially if you’re not shopping-savvy. Sometimes, a smaller non-chain store can offer better prices.
Take for example the tiny Galati Brothers supermarket on Jane and Shoreham. It’s a private business in a small plaza that’s easily missed. Their prices, however, are amazing – as long as you’re willing to give up all the glitzy name brands.
Even if you can’t live without them, smaller grocery stores are the place to be when shopping as a student. So, when you’re looking for a bargain, stop searching at Sobey’s and Longo’s; the smaller the store, the better!

Step two: The List
Throughout our university careers, we write enough essays and take enough notes to fill several leather-bound volumes. Writing that much is tiring sometimes, and it is often hard to pick up a pen or open aWord document outside of class.

But, sadly, one of the most crucial parts of shopping frugally is making a list. Once you get the hang of it, though, list-making will become second nature. Why is the list important, you ask? First and foremost, the list is there so that you don’t forget the essentials. More importantly, the list is there to keep you on track. One of the biggest threats to your wallet is the lack of list. Without a list, you will be more inclined to buy things on impulse, like chocolate cake or extra crackers or chips, and items that you may already have in your cupboards. As a self-proclaimed guilty party to all of these problems, I would press that taking the time for a list is definitely one of the most important steps to this program. Remember to begin your list with the bare essentials, and work your way to the things that are less important.

If it helps, split the list up into the four food groups, plus one group for household needs such as toilet paper, napkins and cleaning supplies. This will not only help you organize your list into the different aisles of the supermarket, but it will also keep you on track and push you to be healthier; an empty fruits and veggie section may look sad next to all the other full categories.

Step three: Substitution
Believe it or not, veggies and fruits make the cheapest and tastiest starters, sides and even entrees. If you substitute some of your average snack foods like chips and popcorn with veggies like carrots and celery, you’ll have more money to go toward whatever you’ve been saving up for. In addition, you’ll have more energy without the crash you’d get from junky snacks.

Step four: Planning
Planning a menu for the week, or even for the following two days, is extremely beneficial to the savvy shopper. Much like a list, the menu provides a clear outline of the vital items while simultaneously providing you with an opportunity to plan for cooking time and portion control. Try making a calendar listing the four main food groups for each day that you intend to plan for. As breakfast and lunch are much easier and quicker to plan for, you may choose to list only your supper menu. When you’ve decided on your meal plan, post it on the fridge and move on with your life.

With the proper research and preparation, you can really rack up the savings on your next trip to the grocery store. Keep these four steps in mind, and work towards a future where both your stomach and your wallet are satisfied.