Behold, a week of homemade student meals for £22.57 – the impossible can be done. If this doesn’t convince you to avoid Mainsbury’s like the plague, buy that granny trolley, and trek to Aldi, I don’t know what will. If you were to listen to me, you’d have much fuller bellies and bank accounts – all the more money for drinks down the pub. What are you waiting for?

Firstly, it’s a Monday. How depressing. Why not spice things up a little by making fajitas (yes, I’m easily pleased, but it’s the little things that make you smile and these will cheer you up.) You’ll need a smoky BBQ fajita seasoning mix (59p), six mini white tortilla wraps (79p), two chicken breasts (£2.15, just substitute this for more vegetables if vegetarian), one red pepper (65p), one red onion (a pack of three is 95p). To top it all off, if you wish, add a packet of microwaveable Mexican rice for just 63p. This meal definitely makes enough for at least two portions, meaning this will feed you on another night too. That said, I couldn’t possibly blame anyone for devouring it all in one go – I’m often the victim of my own insatiable appetite.

“I love the sweet chilli and garlic sauce myself, though they have a stunning array of possibilities”

Come Tuesday, and I’m feeling like a cheeky stir fry. I tend to go vegetarian for a few nights a week, it saves money and it’s nice to know I can. The mixed pepper vegetable bag is 89p and you only need to use half, reserving the rest for tomorrow night. I love the teriyaki or the sweet chilli and garlic sauce myself, though they have a stunning array of possibilities (55p), and it’s nice to switch things up a bit and go for egg noodles, not rice (£1.09).

Now, it’s midweek, and you really can’t be bothered to cook. It’s a good job you have leftover fajitas to heat up then, isn’t it! Don’t say I don’t spoil you.

“You’ve got yourself the perfect fakeaway”

When Thursday rolls around, I tend to feel like a big, hearty bowl of pasta. Take 12 meatballs (£2.99), and cook them all, saving half for tomorrow's lunch. Fry some onions, heat up a jar of tomato & garlic sauce (69p), and boil the spaghetti (75p).

The word Friday can only mean one thing – a takeaway! But the budget won’t extend to a Just Eat Wagamamas. The next best thing? Make your own katsu curry, it feels like a treat, it is a treat, but it’s a cheap treat. Splurge on some Sainsbury’s katsu sauce, it doesn’t disappoint, and a jar only costs £1.20. Use the other half of that trusty stir fry veg we saved on Monday, and cook some long grain rice (a whole 1kg bag is 52p). After opening another packet of two chicken breasts (£2.15), use just one, or swap this for a veggie substitute like cauliflower.

“It wouldn’t cost you that at Mainsbury’s, I can tell you that for sure”

Bad news – your funds didn’t magically escalate overnight and you still can’t afford a takeaway on Saturday. The good news? You can make your very own Indian takeaway. For the curry, Aldi do an extremely handy two-step jar which includes the sauce and a powder to marinate the meat and onions in beforehand (£1.69). Use that other chicken breast from Friday and heat up a garlic and coriander naan (a pack of two is 69p). Use that same big bag of rice too, and you’ve got yourself the perfect fakeaway.

Finally, it’s Sunday. Yes, I’m aware that I eat a lot of chicken, but it’s chicken in various forms and flavours. It’s also cheap and easy. But on Sundays, I branch out. I cook 12 chipolatas (£1.79), saving half for a sausage sandwich the next morning, with a tin of baked beans (27p), and some good ol’ mashed potato, Because it saddens me so very much to see some poor, innocent potatoes labelled as “wonky,” as if there’s something wrong with them, I make sure to buy this specific bag and appreciate them in all their misshapen glory (£1.49).

And there you have it, seven meals for £22.57. It wouldn’t cost you that at Mainsbury’s, I can tell you that for sure. There’s even wiggle room for snacks now you’re spending less, and who doesn’t love a sweet treat. Good luck with the 30 minute walk to Aldi and happy cooking!