Home > Food & Drink > Cooking > Cooking (Other)
Created on: May 15, 2008 Last Updated: May 04, 2012
College students eat on the cheap! It is possible for students to eat very inexpensively. All you have to do is take the bus as not to use any of that super expensive gas to get to the grocery store. And to really eat cheaply, don't buy the super expensive foods, such as milk, bread, soy, and those super outrageously expensive mushrooms that are about 100 dollars for an ounce.
Believe it or not you can still eat and cook foods that are not expensive. And you better hurry up and get to the store before the prices go up any higher.
Cheap Foods
College students and anyone for that matter can eat very cheaply by buying baked goods at bakery outlet stores. Buy day old bread, and other goodies that are near their expiration date. Then you get a great product that you have to eat right away for a lot less money. Peanut butter is still very inexpensive, and can be made into yummy peanut butter sandwiches.
The list goes on. There are so many foods that a person can buy right now that are CHEAP! Tuna fish, spaghetti, yogurt, generic soy-milk, and some generic soy products are inexpensive. Any fruit or vegetable that is in season now can be had for great prices, such as apples, and bananas always seem to be very inexpensive.
Cheap Meals
Pasta
For the student that doesn't want to eat the yummy food in the college cafeteria, here are some food that can be cooked on the cheap. Spaghetti and generic spaghetti sauces are very inexpensive and can be cooked just by boiling hot water, cooking for about ten minutes, and heating up the sauce.
Ramen noodles are super cheap. Throw them into a vat of hot water, just like spaghetti and eat them right away. You can add a sauce of your own if you like, by putting on a salad dressing or anything else that sounds good and tastes well. Basically just about any kind of pasta is a cheap meal waiting to happen. Pasta is very easy to cook and doesn't take a lot of preparation or much time to do so.
Meats
To cook inexpensively buy certain meats that are older. Freeze them for a short while or eat these meats right away. Hamburger, or chicken that is a little older, will have a sticker on it that says reduced, can be bought and cooked that day to make a great tasting meal. These products are less expensive than other foods because they are not as fresh but they are still okay to eat. Make a meat sauce to accompany the spaghetti, or cook up some meatballs. Create some delicious cheeseburgers, with all the fixings you want. That way you don't have to buy the more expensive hamburgers at take out places and you have some left over for the nest day.
Buy chicken legs, or chicken with the bone still in it and create a great filling meal. Chicken legs, and chicken with the bone still in are less expensive than boneless chicken. By using certain spices or barbecue sauce you can make a tasty meal. Buy a small barbecue and cook outside and have terrific tasting inexpensive meals all year long. That is if you are willing to brave the elements.
There's always the old standby, hot dogs are still inexpensive to cook and to eat. The hot dogs rolls will probably cost more than the hot dogs themselves, but it is worth it to have the all American meal. Side dishes can be bought generically also, and they are very inexpensive. Many pasta side dishes are mixed with other ingredients and sometimes can be eaten as a meal for one person.
Students can eat and cook very inexpensively, you just have to take your time, look around and budget your money. Stay away from the higher prices items, such as milk, bread, and out of season fruits and vegetables.
Learn more about this author, Kate Johns.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:
Cooking inexpensively on a student budget
It is possible to eat cheaply and still eat well. Healthy, home-cooked food doesn't need to be more expensive than junk
by Joan Inong
Most college students are not made of money. As a result, they cannot afford extravagant, expensive meals all the time.
Pasta, whole grains, and other healthy foods are easily attainable on a college budget and quite tasty. When I do get the
by Jim Thomason
As you work the cramp out of your writing hand and toss the checkbook on the table, you notice a steady rumbling in the
by Lola Batling
Cooking and eating are very important no matter what your budget. In college it can be very hard due to lack of time, money,
View All Articles on: Cooking inexpensively on a student budget
Helium Debate
Cast your vote!
Which is better for cooking: Fresh herbs or dried herbs
Click for your side.
Featured Partner
The OP Music House, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit community center featuring two elements: (1) a music venue and recording studio for young adults, where local musicians donate their time to offer tips, advice, friendship and to jam. ...more