How To Save Money on Food

Photo by Sean MacEntee

Recently I read a London columnist's despair at his wife's dinner party tactics. Why? Because she usually bought so much salad (and other party nibbles) which often made their way in the rubbish bin. He was certain that not even salad should go to waste! "What about the poor children in Africa?", he asked. So he began freezing leftovers, even bread, and used them for work lunches or as treats for his colleagues.

That very same columnist called food waste "a lunacy". I agree. In this day and age, not only are we wasting food, but we are wasting a lot of MONEY on food too. And, let's be honest, it is not like we are spending on good food. Most of the time we are so busy that we end up spending our money on food that is sold to us as 'good' but it has little nutritional value.

So how do we change this? How can we spend less money AND eat better? Here are a few tips on giving your wallet and stomach a break.

1. It pays to plan. The art of cheap healthy food comes from the science of meal planning. It is not as hard or as time consuming as one would imagine. Pick a day of the week when you will plan you meals for the next 5-7 days and do your shopping. I also tend to do my cooking on the same day. Why? Read the next point.
2. Get friendly with your freezer. If you lead a busy lifestyle, it is essential that you prepare at least half of your meals for the week ahead. Cook 2 or 3 large portions of your favourite dishes, divide into boxes and freeze. That way, you don't have to cook everyday!
3. Save the snacks. Try to buy your favourite healthy snacks in bulk so you have enough for the week. Not only is bulk buying cheaper, but it will also help you avoid splurging on calorific treats when you are out & about. Keep them in your bag, kitchen cupboard or office drawer for a quick hunger killer when 24 hours simply aren't enough!
4. Lovely leftovers. Couldn't finish a meal? Surely you can't just throw it away! Most meat leftovers can be used to make curries, risottos, stews or just great sandwiches. If you can't be bothered to cook at all, just freeze the leftovers - that can be added to your weekly " frozen ready meals" from point 2.
5. Vote for veggies. Instead of going for quick carb and fat fixes (i.e. pasta, cheese, pizzas, etc.) clean and cut your veggies on your meal plan day and store in the fridge or freezer. That way you can cut your cooking time in half and avoid binges on junk food!

Of course, there are countless other tips and tricks but one thing is important - the food you prepare at home will almost always be cheaper and healthier than anything you buy from outside. With that in mind, try to have as many home-made meals as possible, even if it means spending several hours on one day of the week to cook and freeze them!

10 Style Tips and Tricks You Should Know (Part 1)

Here's a little something to help you up your style stakes:

• Stick to your own signature style which you know looks good on you because not all fashion trends will suit you.

• If you are not sure about an impulsive attraction to a garment or accessory, hold back from buying it until the next day - if you are still thinking about it then go for it!

• V-neck sweaters and t-shirts give the illusion of a longer torso.

• Put on so much spray tan that it ended up on your clothes? Use a lemon wedge to clean up the mess.

• Wear your new leather garment in the rain - the water will soften and stretch the leather and will also allow the garment to crease at specific points on your body.

• Use a hot glue gun to hem skirts and pants in seconds.

• Loads of good accessories (scarves, glasses, hats, jewellery) can transform even the most basic outfit.

• Dry wet shoes naturally in open air. Never use heat - it will cut the lifespan of the shoe in half.

• "Spray shirts prone to sweat stains with lemon juice before washing. The natural acid dissolves alkaline sweat reside that could cause yellow discolouration." - Perrie Samotin, StyleCaster.com

• Nude pumps give the illusion of longer legs, unlike dark-coloured shoes which can make them seem shorter.

How to Fight Against Career Depression

As the time for graduation approaches, many university students are starting to feel anxiety, panic and desperation engulf them. It's not the loss of friends, carelessness and ridiculous dress up parties that is the cause of these feelings. No, it's the bleak prospect of finding a job that torments them.

We've all been told how hard it can be to find a well-paid job we love. Yet, this does not make the job hunting process any easier. In fact, more often than not many begin to feel discouraged, if not depressed, after sending tens of CVs and attending as many interviews without securing a job.

But if we want to live 'the good life' (a.k.a. independence and money), we've got no choice but to keep on trying. So here are some tips and ideas how to avoid 'career depression' and keep yourself motivated until you get that dream job.

Image courtesy of winnond at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• First of all make sure you know who you are and what you want to achieve in life. As spiritual as it may sound to you, it is often the case that many graduates leave university not quite sure what they are passionate about and what path they want to take in life. Investing some time in developing your 'identity capital' will pay off in the future. To make this search more career-oriented begin by asking yourself these questions: What am I good at and how can I use my natural abilities to their greatest effect? What do I really want from a job and what field of work genuinely fires me up? What sort of work environment would work best for me? Would I be happier starting up my own venture, or would I work best connected to an existing organisation? Reading, watching and listening to inspirational stories, such as the Ted Talk I mentioned in another post, can be of great help.

• Once that is out of the way try to set specific goals in your job search process. Figure out the best way to break into your industry of choice, be it (paid) internships, speculative job applications or additional training. Decide when and how often you will apply for jobs. Sometimes quality is better than quantity. Surprise your prospective employer with a hand written cover letter or a short video attached to your email application. Be realistic - applying for jobs takes time, especially if you want to impress, so start with smaller goals, such as applying to two companies this weekend, and increase them gradually.

Image courtesy of pakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• Of course, sending your CV and cover letter is only half the work. It's easier to secure a job if you have contacts within your preferred sector or company, because they will speed up the selection process by referring you to the right people. Making contacts can be done through networking. We've heard that many times but how do you network exactly? The Guardian says that "It is possible for graduates to find connections everywhere, from university alumni to your cousin's friend's mother." Find out where key people from your industry meet to network - both online and offline (LinkedIn groups are a good place to start). Attend career and industry related events and bring with you basic, but professional-looking business cards. It's the best way to make sure people remember your name and contact details. Browse through your existing contacts and your university's alumni list to see if anyone has connections to your preferred industry or organisation. If you are a shy bird, you can use Twitter to connect with potential employers. A little goes a long way.

• If all else fails, do not despair. Don't underestimate and undervalue yourself. You spent time and money on education and you deserve a decent job. As the job hunting process stretches over time, be creative and look for other ways to fill in your time. If you don't have the luxury to sit in your mama's house and wait for that dream job, try taking up a part time job or looking for work in companies within your chosen industry but not in your preferred department. Rumour has it that starting in admin/reception positions could lead to promotions and opportunities to move to other departments within the company. If you have the time and resources you can also try to come up with a small scale enterprise idea which will bring you some quick cash and loads of business skills.

So there you go. These tips are just a starting point. Each person will have a different approach to things based on their situation and preferences. Remember to keep your head up and keep on trying.

*This blog post was inspired by Grads.co.uk, a brand new, cool and exciting jobs site dedicated solely to graduate and student recruitment.