Nine nifty tricks to eat more for less
Violet foodie Jess Lock knows you don’t have to binge on the Van of Life to stay on budget
We all need a little boost amid winter’s downpours and bitter winds. And is there any better companion through the season’s blues than the comfort of good food? These tips will help you stay warm and nourished while ensuring those pennies stay saved for sunnier days.
1. Cheat Deliveroo
Deliveroo almost always offers discounts on food, including money-off introductory promo codes which can be shared on social media and used to invite friends to the app. These promotions provide both the person offering the voucher and the person using the voucher a £5-£10 reduction in price when ordering food.
Shamelessly play the system by backlogging these discounts across several of your own accounts – try using your personal email(s) alongside your university address and bounce vouchers between them. This will build credit among all of your accounts, which you can then alternate between to take full advantage of the offers.
2. Lose your stiff upper lip
Is your food late? Complain. Is it substandard? Complain. Too cold? Complain.
“The best way to start adulting and stop wasting money is to play the system at every opportunity.”
In short, make your grievances (politely) heard. Delivery apps often have easily accessible email or live-chat support systems. If you are in any way dissatisfied with the service/quality of food/communication, send a courteous yet brisk message airing your sincere disappointment, making sure to clarify the inconvenience that has been caused to you, the paying customer. For the more ballsy of you complainants out there, ask outright for appropriate compensation.
Likewise, consider taking to social media – most chains are reachable on Twitter or Facebook, and the public interaction may further encourage chances of reimbursement.
Perhaps you will only receive a profuse apology or perhaps you will be refunded or credited. Either way, there’s no harm – or shame – in trying.
3. Be fickle
Don’t settle for your first choice. Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Papa John’s are forever locked in competition, constantly wheedling for your attention. Resist the urge to pledge allegiance to Papa or to die for Dom’s and instead exploit their rivalry. Take advantage of their one-upmanship to find the best deals.
On that note also make sure to…
4. Get online
It’s 2017 – if you aren’t looking for discounts and promo codes online, what are you doing?
Student Money Saver collects the best deals online, and apps like UniDays will help keep student discounts at the forefront of your mind.
5. Sign up to mailing lists and reward schemes
Mailing lists are the best shortcut to fantastic exclusive offers. However, always exercise caution – what may seem to be a bargain can in fact be a sneaky marketing ploy.
It’s also worth signing up to newsletters from your favourite restaurants. In return for filling out surveys, you could end up with a free meal.
Reward schemes are a brilliant way to score free goods. From Fudge Kitchen to Nando’s, GBK to Subway, and Nectar points to Yeo Valley tokens, always remember to get your card stamped, swiped, logged and listed.
Additionally, many companies offer birthday freebies – Millie’s Cookies, Ed’s Diner and Krispy Kreme all send birthday coupons for free food!
6. Use the QKR app to pay when dining out
Get £5 off your meal at Wagamama, ASK or Zizzi with the QKR app.
Download the QKR app, put in the details of any credit or debit card, and use code JESLOC3650 to get £5 free credit.
When dining at any of the mentioned restaurants, tell your waiter that you’ll use the QKR app to pay, and £5 will be taken off your bill. Pass on your referral codes to friends and they’ll also be able to get £5 off (and you’ll get another £5 credit to spend too – it’s a win-win situation).
7. Buy big, eat small
Consider buying takeaway in bulk. Larger meals are often the greatest value for money, or are subject to greater discounts when spending over a certain set amount. Many delivered meals keep well in the fridge or freezer, or can be recooked (with care) into other meals. If you feel the urge to splurge, plan ahead – I find rationing a pizza Family Deal across several days works well (although please try to add a couple of vegetables, scurvy suits no-one).
Alternatively, if fast food isn’t your fave or you find delivery disagreeable, be thrifty in supermarkets instead.
8. Work out when chain supermarkets discount their goods
Cambridge’s Sainsbury tends to apply discounts overnight from Tuesday – Wednesday each week. If chocolate isn’t on offer one day, try revisiting on another to make the most of their best deals.
9. Shop near closing time
Bag the biggest bang for your buck by nabbing discounted goods.
At the end of the day, many shops (particularly M&S) or market stalls sell off their items at a lower rate. Bread, pastries, vegetables and other fast-perishers are all regularly at bargain prices when near to closing time.
To be most efficient, try to think creatively and spontaneously – don’t be narrow-minded about your meals. Discounted yoghurts? Breakfast and snacks sorted. Reduced price meat? Cook it up and portion leftovers for lunches.
Student loans, formal halls and buttery menus won’t be here forever; the best way to start adulting and stop wasting money is to play the system at every opportunity
