In the mood for food?
When you’re nursing a hangover, can’t be bothered cooking or haven’t got time to make something from scratch, treating yourself to a cheeky takeaway can be the highlight of your week.
There are plenty of options available, ranging from salt and pepper chicken and Chow Mein from the Chinese to spicy Madras and Tikka Masala from the Indian and stuffed crust pizza from Domino’s.
But fast food indulgences, as such, can eat away at your student loan. Have one every night of the week, and it won’t be long before your money runs out and your student accommodation in Ormskirk starts to smell like a takeaway shop. You might also struggle to zip up your favourite jeans due to gaining weight…
With that said, there are loads of healthier takeaway options, such as sushi, pasta dishes, and vegan pizzas. And as long as you know how to order the smart way, there are huge cash savings to be had!
Let’s take a look at what you can do to make your student loan stretch a little further.
6 ways savvy students can save money on fast food
#1 Avoid online takeaway services
Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo allow you to browse local takeaway shops in one place and order your favourite comfort food to your door with the simple click of a button.
As convenient as it is to order food on such websites, these services come with their fair share of downsides too.
For example, Just Eat sneakily adds a 5% service charge (on top of delivery costs) and Deliveroo and Uber Eats both charge for delivery, depending on your location and the nearest restaurant to your student accommodation.
Top tip: try ordering takeaway food directly rather than via a third-party site or app.
Though you may still need to pay a delivery fee, they might be able to offer you a slight discount as they don’t have to give away a portion of the sale to the apps mentioned above.
#2 Ask your housemates if they want anything
Having someone else make your dinner for you is always going to be more expensive than buying your ingredients and making it yourself. But most takeaway restaurants will provide free delivery or a discount code for larger orders.
So, before you submit your order, check if anyone else at your student accommodation wants something to eat. At least then, nobody can say you didn’t offer them any food – and you’ll be able to split the bill evenly.
If your eyes are too big for your belly and you end up with more food than you need, don’t worry. You can use the leftovers for your lunch (or breakfast!).
#3 Check the menu for special offers and student discounts
Keep an eye out for takeaway menus being pushed through your letterbox.
Before you chuck them in the wheelie bin, see if there are any good offers available. Some takeaways offer freebies for spending over a certain amount (i.e. free prawn crackers with orders over £10).
Even if there are no offers advertised, it’s still worth asking about student discounts. For example, when you buy a meal in McDonald’s, you can get a free cheeseburger, Mayo Chicken or McFlurry simply by showing your student card. And who can say no to a free McDonald’s?
It’s also worth noting that Domino’s offer a whopping 35% off your order when you spend more than £25 online!
#4 Don’t be lazy – collect your takeaway
Tempted to have your takeaway delivered to your student accommodation in Ormskirk, like most students?
Opting for delivery means, after a long day of lectures, you can change into your comfy pyjamas and slippers and simply open the door when your food arrives.
However, most places charge for delivery, so you’ll probably end up spending more than you would if you collected it.
Aside from dodging the delivery costs, there’s a good chance that you’ll order less when you pick your takeaway up in person, as you won’t be able to carry loads.
Another great thing about choosing a collection is that you’ll get some exercise before you eat, making space for the unhealthy food you’re about to consume.
Add to this the fact that you’ll be using your legs – as opposed to a car – and collecting your takeaway helps to minimise your carbon footprint. Meaning you’ll be doing your bit for the environment and supporting local businesses at the same time.
#5 Avoid drunk takeaways
After a boozy night out in town, it’s not uncommon for hunger cravings to kick in. And having something to eat is actually a great way of ensuring you don’t have a sore head the next morning!
We know it’s easier said than done, but splurging on a greasy kebab on your way back to your student accommodation is not the answer.
Not only will it increase the cost of your night out, but you’ll probably get past the point of being hungry after queueing in a long line of like-minded students.
Our best advice? Consider making something when you get home. It could be a sandwich or a round of toast. And make sure you have something (non-alcoholic) to drink. Ideally, a glass of fruit juice to help the liver flush out the alcohol or water to keep you hydrated.
#6 Fake it till you make it
Perhaps one of the biggest appeals of ordering a take-out is the lack of effort required. But what if we told you that you could make your own ‘fakeaway’ for a fraction of the cost?
It’s true.
For example, if you fancy a Nando’s – whether it be medium spice Chicken Butterfly with Peri-Peri chips or an extra hot Grilled Chicken Wrap with creamy mash and corn on the cob – you should be able to acquire the ingredients (and sauces!) you need to create your go-to dish from your local supermarket.
By making it yourself at your student accommodation, you’ll know what ingredients and how many calories are in it. Plus, it will cost you a lot less.
And there you have it. Our top 6 ways to save money on takeaways whilst studying at uni.
If you have any questions about our student accommodation in Ormskirk – including what facilities are available to make your own fakeaways – or you’d like more money-saving tips, get in touch with McComb Students.
You can either give us a call on 01695 422 122 or email info@mccombstudents.com, and we’ll get back to you.
