At £4, a meal deal feels harmless. And honestly, sometimes it is the correct answer. The problem is when it becomes the default every day and then gets joined by a coffee, a snack, and a “this does not count because I was busy” takeaway.
£4 x 5 lunches x 12 weeks = £240 a term.
The better way to think about it
This is not about becoming someone who meal preps seven identical boxes and calls it a personality. Even swapping two or three lunches a week can save real money without making life boring.
A simple student version
- Meal deal on busy days.
- Meal prep on easy days.
- Keep backup snacks so hunger does not become a £12 emergency.