13 Jul 2021 | 4 mins

Say you go to uni for four days a week (like I did) and say you need lunch all four days. On average, lunch will cost ya about $10 if you're buying it out. Uni is, on average, 30 weeks in a year... So that $10 a day costs you $1200 smackeroos altogether...Yikes!

Here's how to save your dosh and make quick, easy and CHEAP meals! We've got you!

1. Falafel wrap

I lived on falafel wraps during uni. Literally, a few mins before the bus came every day for uni, I'd be whipping this up. 

1. Either use a wrap or pita bread.

2. Grab your falafel - Most of the time I just buy them already made from the store #slack but making them is super easy too! Cut up your chosen veggies too. In falafel wraps, I love popping in some tomato, cucumber, red onion, baby spinach, sometimes even carrot and red capsicum.

3. Chuck in some flavour whether that be hummus, mayo, a tahini dressing... Wrap it up and voila. Lunch is served.

2. Stir fry

This one obviously requires some forward planning if you're off to uni or work. Stir fry is my go-to meal prep meal because; A. It now takes me like 20 mins. B. It lasts for about 5 - 6 meals (obviously depending on how many veggies I stick in) C. It's healthy (high five me) and D. It's cheap as, mate!

1. Chop up your chosen veggies. We're talking red, yellow and green capsicums, sugar snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, baby corn, zucchini, brown onion, ginger, garlic... Literally whatever floats your dingy! Then get your protein sorted. Tofu? Chicken? Send it!

2. Chuck everything in a pan/skillet/wok or whatever you can get your hands on with some oil and sauté up a storm.

3. Sometimes I keep the stir fry as is, sometimes I add some golden hokkien noodles that can literally just be chucked in with the veggies (no extra washing up... oh HELL yeah).

4. For your sauce, just search for a 'stir fry' sauce that tickles your fancy. As I'm a loose unit, I just send it with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder and chilli flakes.

4. Garnish with some sesame seeds and spring onions if you're up for it and separate into different lunch boxes! Voila!

3. Avo on toast (elevated)

Who said avo on toast has to just be for brekkie? 

1. Toast your bread (no sh*t sherlock)

2. Chuck your avo on top of your toast

3. Smash on some red onion, tomato and baby spinach. 

4. Season with salt, pepper, even garlic powder or chilli flakes if you're feelin' dangerous. 

4. Seasoned veggies

Okay, you can either A. Have your veggies raw. Capsicum, cucumber, carrot, baby spinach work well. Even drain a can of chickpeas, add some seasoning. You could also add some cruskits with peanut butter on the side as an additional snack.

If you have the time and wanna take this a step further for some red hot meal prep, you can bake your veggies. You could do this the night before (and have some for din dins) or even the morning of (if you have time, of course).

1. Cut up your veggies. I froth potato, sweet potato, pumpkin, capsicum, onion and carrot. You could also chuck in some chic peas. Yuuum.

2. Season your veggies with salt, pepper and whatever you fancy. Sometimes, I go for Italian herbs and rosemary, other times I go for Moroccan seasoning, sometimes I chuck on some cumin, paprika and turmeric. It's endless.

5. Mexican salad

I'm not a massive fan of salads but I was obsessed with making this super, quick Mexican salad when I was feelin' it.

1. Add corn, capsicum, tomato, lettuce, green onions, and avo to a bowl. 

2. Season it on up! I love to add a bit of mayo and/or chipotle sauce. Lime juice, smoked paprika and cumin is also bangin'. Add salt and pepper. (even some cilantro if you have it and some chilli flakes.) 

BONUS!

When my schedule was super jampacked, I would buy packeted soups and chilli's that you can literally just microwave (sometimes, these literally cost me $1. Bang some buttered toast with them or even some sour cream and Bob's your uncle). It'd be rude not to admit my reliance on mi goreng hot and spicy noodles as well. Bring a pack of those, find a kettle and boom, you've been transported to a 5-star restaurant. 

Anyways, go forth and save your dosh!