Cheap Weekly Shopping List for a London Student Under £20: Complete Budget Guide

A comprehensive weekly shopping list under £20 for London students isn’t just possible—it’s increasingly common practice among financially conscious students navigating expensive accommodation and living costs. The key to success involves understanding exactly which items to purchase, where to buy them, and how quantities breakdown into affordable portions.

This detailed shopping list provides everything needed for complete weekly nutrition including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for seven days. The list breaks down into exact quantities, specific pricing at budget supermarkets including Lidl and Aldi, and flexible substitutions for dietary preferences or availability variations.

The £20 budget assumes shopping at budget supermarkets exclusively and focuses on own-brand products. Prices vary slightly by London location and exact timing, but this list demonstrates realistic achievability in 2025. Shopping at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or premium supermarkets would cost approximately £40-50 for identical items—making supermarket choice genuinely transformative for student budgets.

Chapter 1: Master Shopping List—Exact Quantities and Costs

The Complete £20 Shopping List (Lidl Pricing)

This comprehensive list provides every ingredient needed for complete weekly eating without waste or excess. Prices reflect Lidl’s November 2025 pricing for London locations, with typical variations of £0.05-0.15 per item across different areas.

PROTEINS (£4.20 total)

• Eggs (2 dozen, 24 eggs) – £2.80
• Lidl regularly stocks 24-packs at competitive rates
• Provides 2 eggs for breakfast multiple days
• Remaining eggs combine with other proteins
• Tinned beans (4 tins – mixed varieties: kidney, black, chickpea) – £1.40
• Approximately £0.35 per tin for own-brand
• Four tins provide lunch and dinner protein throughout week
• Mixed varieties prevent fatigue from repetitive eating

GRAINS/CARBOHYDRATES (£3.20 total)

• Rice (2kg bulk bag) – £1.20
• Substantially cheaper per kilogram than smaller packages
• Provides carbohydrate base for multiple meals
• Shelf-stable indefinitely
• Pasta (3-pack bundle) – £1.00
• Approximately £0.33 per pack for 500g portions
• Provides lunch and dinner carbohydrate on multiple days
• Combines with various sauces and proteins
• Bread (3 fresh bakery loaves) – £1.00
• Budget bakery section at approximately £0.33 per loaf
• Provides breakfast toast throughout week
• Eliminates plastic packaging and preservatives of packaged bread

VEGETABLES (£2.70 total)

• Frozen mixed vegetables (2 large 1kg bags) – £2.00
• Approximately £1.00 per large bag
• Provides vegetables for every lunch and dinner
• No spoilage or waste since frozen
• Broccoli, peas, carrots, beans combination
• Onions (bulk bag of 5) – £0.50
• Essential aromatic for flavoring dishes
• Stores well in cool, dark locations
• One onion per meal cycle
• Garlic (1 bunch approximately 6-8 cloves) – £0.20
• Minimal quantity needed per meal
• Extended storage life compared to fresh
• Transforms simple ingredients into flavorful meals

TINNED GOODS (£2.10 total)

• Tinned tomatoes (4 tins) – £1.60
• Approximately £0.40 per tin for own-brand
• Creates pasta sauce, curry base, soup foundation
• Multiple meals from single tin
• Tinned fish (1 tin mackerel or sardines) – £0.50
• Affordable protein alternative
• Combines with rice or pasta
• Different flavor from beans preventing boredom

DAIRY (£3.50 total)

• Milk (3 pints semi-skimmed) – £3.50
• Approximately £1.15-1.20 per pint at Lidl
• Provides milk for cereal, tea, coffee, cooking
• Essential for budget nutrition

BREAKFAST STAPLES (£1.80 total)

• Oats (large 1kg bag) – £1.20
• Approximately £0.15 per serving for oatmeal breakfast
• Substantially cheaper than packaged cereals
• Fills stomach cost-effectively
• Peanut butter (small jar) – £0.60
• Protein-rich spread for toast
• Combines with oatmeal for breakfast variation
• Minimal quantity needed per serving

PANTRY STAPLES (£1.50 total)

• Butter (essential cooking ingredient) – £1.20
• Required for cooking and toast topping
• Budget supermarket butter costs approximately same as premium
• Essential for flavor and nutrition
• Stock cubes (box of 10-12) – £0.30
• Provides flavor base for soups and rice dishes
• Costs approximately £0.03 per cube
• Indefinite shelf life

TOTAL: £19.80 (within £20 budget with £0.20 contingency)

Alternative Higher-Budget Additions (If Exceeding £20 Slightly)

These items, if budget allows slight overages, substantially improve meal variety and nutrition without exceeding £25:

• Additional tinned chicken (£1.20) – provides protein variety
• Fresh fruit: apples or bananas (£1-1.50) – adds nutritional variety
• Cheese block small (£1.30) – provides dairy variation
• Frozen broccoli individual bag (£0.90) – targeted vegetable
• Jam or honey (£0.60-0.80) – breakfast variety

Chapter 2: Shopping List Organized by Supermarket Section

Produce Section

Onions (bulk bag of 5-6)

• Lidl price: £0.50 per bag
• Quantity: 1 bag
• Section location: Main produce area
• Storage: Cool, dark place (lasts 2-3 weeks)

Garlic (1 bunch)

• Lidl price: £0.20 per bunch
• Quantity: 1 bunch (6-8 cloves)
• Section location: Produce section near onions
• Storage: Cool, dark place (lasts weeks)

Frozen Goods Section

Frozen mixed vegetables (2 large 1kg bags)

• Lidl price: £1.00 per bag
• Quantity: 2 bags
• Section location: Freezer section (typically back or side wall)
• Storage: Freezer indefinitely

Frozen broccoli (optional if budget allows)

• Lidl price: £0.80-0.90 per bag
• Quantity: 1 bag
• Section location: Freezer section
• Storage: Freezer indefinitely

Tinned Goods Section

Tinned beans—mixed (4 tins)

• Lidl price: £0.35-0.40 per tin
• Quantity: 4 tins (kidney, black, chickpea varieties)
• Section location: Tinned goods aisle
• Shelf life: 2+ years

Tinned tomatoes (4 tins)

• Lidl price: £0.40 per tin
• Quantity: 4 tins
• Section location: Tinned goods aisle
• Shelf life: 2+ years

Tinned fish (1 tin)

• Lidl price: £0.50 per tin (mackerel or sardines)
• Quantity: 1 tin
• Section location: Tinned goods aisle
• Shelf life: 2+ years

Grains and Pasta Aisle

Rice (2kg bulk bag)

• Lidl price: £1.20 per bag
• Quantity: 1 bag
• Section location: Grains/staples aisle
• Storage: Dry cupboard indefinitely

Pasta (3-pack or bulk bundle)

• Lidl price: £1.00 for 3-pack
• Quantity: 1 package of 3
• Section location: Grains/staples aisle
• Storage: Dry cupboard (2+ years)

Oats (1kg large bag)

• Lidl price: £1.20 per bag
• Quantity: 1 bag
• Section location: Grains/breakfast aisle
• Storage: Dry cupboard (6+ months)

Stock cubes (box of 10-12)

• Lidl price: £0.30 per box
• Quantity: 1 box
• Section location: Grains/staples aisle
• Storage: Dry cupboard indefinitely

Dairy Section

Eggs (2 dozen, 24 count)

• Lidl price: £2.80 per carton
• Quantity: 1 carton
• Section location: Dairy refrigerated section
• Storage: Refrigerator (3-4 weeks)

Milk (3 pints semi-skimmed)

• Lidl price: £1.15-1.20 per pint
• Quantity: 3 pints (approximately £3.50 total)
• Section location: Dairy refrigerated section
• Storage: Refrigerator (use within 1-2 weeks)

Butter

• Lidl price: £1.20 per block
• Quantity: 1 block (approximately 250g)
• Section location: Dairy section
• Storage: Refrigerator or cool cupboard (2+ weeks)

Bakery Section

Fresh bread (3 loaves)

• Lidl price: £0.33-0.35 per loaf
• Quantity: 3 loaves
• Section location: Bakery section (back of store typically)
• Storage: Breadbin or sealed container (3-4 days); freeze for longer

Condiments and Spreads

Peanut butter (small jar)

• Lidl price: £0.60 per small jar
• Quantity: 1 jar
• Section location: Condiments/spreads aisle
• Storage: Cupboard (indefinite)

Chapter 3: Shopping List Variations by Dietary Preference

Vegetarian Shopping List (£20 Budget)

Replace tinned fish with additional tinned chickpeas:

Changes from master list:

• Remove: Tinned fish (1 tin) – £0.50
• Add: Extra tinned chickpeas (1 tin) – £0.35
• Add: Additional dried lentils (small bag) – £0.40
• Add: Miscellaneous vegetables or condiments – £0.35

Result: Complete vegetarian nutrition within identical £20 budget

Vegan Shopping List (£22-25 Budget)

Requires minimal modifications with slight budget increase:

Changes from master list:

• Remove: Eggs (2 dozen) – savings of £2.80
• Remove: Milk (3 pints) – savings of £3.50
• Remove: Butter – savings of £1.20
• Add: Coconut oil or vegetable oil – £1.50
• Add: Oat milk or soy milk (1L) – £1.30
• Add: Additional tinned chickpeas (2 tins) – £0.70
• Add: Fortified nutritional yeast – £1.20
• Add: Extra vegetables or legumes – £1.50

Result: Vegan nutrition at approximately £23-24

Gluten-Free Shopping List (£22-28 Budget)

Gluten-free versions cost slightly more:

Changes from master list:

• Remove: Regular pasta (3-pack) – savings of £1.00
• Remove: Regular bread (3 loaves) – savings of £1.00
• Add: Gluten-free pasta (3-pack) – £1.80
• Add: Gluten-free bread (1-2 loaves) – £1.50-2.00
• Add: Alternative grains (quinoa or gluten-free oats) – £1.50

Result: Gluten-free nutrition at approximately £24-26

Chapter 4: Alternative Supermarket Shopping Lists

Aldi Shopping List with Pricing

Aldi pricing is virtually identical to Lidl with slight variations:

Approximate same items at Aldi:

• Eggs (2 dozen) – £2.75 (slightly cheaper)
• Tinned beans (4 tins) – £1.36 (identical)
• Rice (2kg) – £1.15 (slightly cheaper)
• Pasta (3-pack) – £1.00 (identical)
• Bread (3 loaves) – £1.05 (slightly more expensive)
• Frozen vegetables (2 bags) – £2.00 (identical)
• Tinned tomatoes (4 tins) – £1.60 (identical)
• Milk (3 pints) – £3.50 (identical)
• Oats – £1.20 (identical)
• Peanut butter – £0.65 (slightly more expensive)

Aldi Total: £19.26 (generally slightly cheaper than Lidl)

Co-op Shopping List (with TOTUM Discount)

Co-op pricing without discount is approximately £24-26. With TOTUM 10% student discount, becomes competitive:

Co-op base prices without discount:

• Eggs (2 dozen) – £3.00
• Tinned beans (4 tins) – £1.60
• Rice – £1.40
• Pasta – £1.20
• Bread – £1.50
• Frozen vegetables – £2.40
• Tinned tomatoes – £1.80
• Milk – £3.80
• Oats – £1.50

Co-op total before discount: £25.20

With 10% TOTUM discount: £22.68

Note: TOTUM discounts often exclude milk and certain items, making actual discount slightly less than full 10%

Asda Shopping List with Price Match

Asda’s price match scheme attempts to match competitor pricing:

Asda with price match claims equivalence to Lidl/Aldi but typically runs £22-25 for identical shopping

Reality check: While Asda claims price matching, verified independent shopping suggests Asda costs approximately £3-5 more for identical basket compared to Lidl/Aldi

Chapter 5: Seasonal Variations and Substitutions

Winter Shopping Adjustments (September-February)

Winter months offer different produce availability and pricing:

Beneficial winter substitutions:

• Root vegetables (carrots, parsnips) often cheaper than summer produce
• Tinned vegetables become proportionally better value
• Frozen vegetables remain identical price year-round (recommended choice)
• Dried pulses (lentils, chickpeas) become more relevant

Summer Shopping Adjustments (March-August)

Summer produce becomes fresher and cheaper:

Summer beneficial substitutions:

• Fresh fruit becomes more affordable (apples, bananas)
• Seasonal vegetables appear at farmers markets with markdowns
• Frozen vegetables remain valuable due to no spoilage concerns

Festival and Holiday Adjustments

Shopping around university term times creates opportunities:

Term-time shopping: Prioritize standard items above
Holiday shopping (shorter amounts): Can reduce quantities, shopping more frequently for fresher items

Chapter 6: Shopping Strategy and Execution

Step-by-Step Shopping Process

Before shopping:

1. Print or screenshot this shopping list on your phone
2. Plan your meals for the upcoming week using list items
3. Confirm you have storage space (fridge, freezer, cupboard) for all items
4. Check existing pantry for items already owned (oil, spices, salt)
5. Calculate running total on calculator app as you shop

During shopping:

1. Enter store and head directly to freezer section (grab frozen vegetables—shelf space fills quickly)
2. Navigate to produce for onions and garlic
3. Move to tinned goods section for beans and tomatoes
4. Visit grains/staples for rice, pasta, oats, stock cubes
5. Visit dairy for eggs and milk
6. Visit condiments for peanut butter
7. Visit bakery for fresh bread
8. Find butter in dairy section
9. Check till for running total
10. Proceed to checkout

Shopping time: 15-20 minutes total

Tips for Staying Within Budget

Calculate running total: Track spending using calculator as items go into basket. Remove items if total approaches £20.

Prioritize essentials: If running close to budget, eliminate lowest-priority items (peanut butter, specific vegetables) to stay within budget.

Check unit prices: Some items have price-per-kilogram listed. Compare quantities before assuming smaller packaging is cheaper.

Utilize budgeting apps: Many supermarkets offer app-based coupons. Check Lidl Plus or Aldi app before shopping for additional discounts.

Shop off-peak times: Early morning or late evening shopping occasionally reveals marked-down items missed during peak hours.

Build store relationships: Regular shopping at same location enables staff knowledge of deals and upcoming markdowns.

Chapter 7: Quantity Breakdown and Portion Planning

How Shopping List Quantities Become Meals

Eggs (24 total):

• 2 eggs × breakfast for 3 days = 6 eggs
• 2 eggs × dinner (egg fried rice) for 2 days = 4 eggs
• 3 eggs × omelette or scramble lunch for 2 days = 6 eggs
• 8 eggs remaining for flexibility or additional meals

Tinned beans (4 tins, 400g each):

• 1 tin × lunch for 1 day
• ½ tin × lunch combined with other proteins for 2 days
• ½ tin × dinner combined with rice for 1 day
• 1 tin batch-cooked for curry provides 3-4 meals

Rice (2kg):

• 150g per meal × 7 dinners = 1,050g
• Remaining 950g for additional meals or flexibility

Pasta (3 packs, 500g each):

• 100g per meal × 3 meals = 300g
• Remaining 1,200g for additional meals throughout week

Bread (3 loaves):

• 2 slices × breakfast toast for 7 days = 14 slices
• 2 slices × lunch or snack for flexible usage
• Approximately 28-32 slices total, slightly excessive but bread freezes well

Frozen vegetables (2kg):

• 200g per dinner × 5 dinners = 1,000g (1kg)
• 150g per lunch × 6 occasions = 900g
• Total usage approximately 1,900g (slightly tight, covers week adequately)

Tinned tomatoes (4 tins, 400g each):

• 200g × pasta sauce for 1 meal = 200g
• 400g × curry base for 1 meal = 400g
• Remaining 1,200g distributed across soups, additional sauces, or flexibility

Milk (3 pints, approximately 1,710ml total):

• 200ml × breakfast cereal for 7 days = 1,400ml
• Remaining 310ml for tea, coffee, cooking

Oats (1kg):

• 50g × breakfast for 7 days = 350g
• Remaining 650g for additional meals or extended use beyond one week

Chapter 8: Storage and Food Safety

Refrigerator Storage (4°C or colder)

Items requiring refrigeration:

• Eggs (store in original carton, lasts 3-4 weeks)
• Milk (use within 1-2 weeks of opening)
• Butter (lasts 2+ weeks if covered)
• Bread (lasts 3-4 days; freeze for longer storage)
• Tinned goods after opening (transfer to container)

Refrigerator arrangement strategy:

• Top shelf: Milk, butter
• Middle shelves: Opened tinned goods in containers
• Bottom: Eggs in original carton

Freezer Storage (below -18°C)

Items suitable for freezing:

• Bread (wrap well to prevent freezer burn, lasts months)
• Cooked rice in portions (prepare in advance, freezes well)
• Cooked pasta in portions (freezes adequately)
• Batch-cooked meals (soups, curries in containers)
• Butter (freezes well if rarely used)

Cupboard Storage (cool, dark, dry location)

Non-perishable items:

• Rice (indefinite storage)
• Pasta (2+ years)
• Tinned goods (2+ years)
• Oats (6+ months to 1 year)
• Peanut butter (indefinite after opening)
• Stock cubes (indefinite)
• Onions and garlic (2-3 weeks in cool location)

Food Safety Practices

Prevent waste:

• Use FIFO (First In, First Out) principle—consume older items before newer
• Label batch-cooked meals with preparation date
• Consume opened tinned goods within 2-3 days
• Freeze surplus portions immediately to extend usability

Prevent contamination:

• Wash hands before food preparation
• Keep work surfaces clean
• Separate raw items (if used) from ready-to-eat items
• Use different cutting boards for different foods if possible
• Cook food to appropriate temperatures if heating

Chapter 9: Converting Shopping List to Weekly Meal Plan

Day-by-Day Meal Breakdown

Monday:

• Breakfast: Oatmeal with milk (50g oats, 200ml milk)
• Lunch: Pasta with tinned tomato sauce (100g pasta, ½ tin tomatoes)
• Dinner: Rice with beans and frozen vegetables (150g rice, ½ tin beans, 200g frozen veg)

Tuesday:

• Breakfast: Toast with peanut butter (2 slices bread, peanut butter)
• Lunch: Tinned beans on toast (½ tin beans, 2 slices bread, butter)
• Dinner: Egg fried rice with frozen vegetables (150g rice, 2 eggs, 200g frozen veg)

Wednesday:

• Breakfast: Scrambled eggs on toast (2 eggs, 2 slices bread, butter)
• Lunch: Oatmeal with milk (50g oats, 200ml milk)
• Dinner: Pasta with tinned tomato sauce and tinned fish (100g pasta, ½ tin tomatoes, tinned fish)

Thursday:

• Breakfast: Toast with peanut butter (2 slices bread, peanut butter)
• Lunch: Rice with beans and onions (150g rice, ½ tin beans, onion)
• Dinner: Egg scramble with frozen vegetables (2 eggs, 200g frozen veg, butter)

Friday:

• Breakfast: Oatmeal with milk (50g oats, 200ml milk)
• Lunch: Beans and rice (½ tin beans, 150g rice, onion, garlic)
• Dinner: Pasta with tinned tomato sauce (100g pasta, ½ tin tomatoes, butter)

Saturday:

• Breakfast: Scrambled eggs (2 eggs, butter, toast)
• Lunch: Tinned beans on toast with cheese (½ tin beans, 2 slices bread—substitute if no cheese)
• Dinner: Rice with fried vegetables and tinned fish (150g rice, tinned fish, 200g frozen veg)

Sunday:

• Breakfast: Toast with jam or peanut butter (2 slices bread)
• Lunch: Batch-cook chickpea curry over rice (1 tin chickpeas, 1 tin tomatoes, 150g rice, onion, garlic)
• Dinner: Remaining curry with rice (batch-prepared portion)

Chapter 10: Shopping List Printable Checklist

Complete Checklist for Quick Shopping Reference

PROTEINS
☐ Eggs (2 dozen) – £2.80
☐ Tinned beans mixed (4 tins) – £1.40

GRAINS
☐ Rice (2kg bulk bag) – £1.20
☐ Pasta (3-pack) – £1.00
☐ Bread (3 loaves from bakery) – £1.00

VEGETABLES
☐ Frozen mixed vegetables (2 bags) – £2.00
☐ Onions (5-pack) – £0.50
☐ Garlic (1 bunch) – £0.20

TINNED GOODS
☐ Tinned tomatoes (4 tins) – £1.60
☐ Tinned fish (1 tin) – £0.50

DAIRY
☐ Milk (3 pints) – £3.50
☐ Butter – £1.20

BREAKFAST
☐ Oats (1kg bag) – £1.20
☐ Peanut butter (small jar) – £0.60

PANTRY
☐ Stock cubes (1 box) – £0.30

TOTAL TARGET: £19.80-20.00

From List to Reality

This comprehensive shopping list demonstrates that eating well on a £20 weekly budget is entirely achievable for London students. The exact items, specific quantities, and precise pricing provided here eliminate guesswork from budget shopping.

Success requires three elements: using this shopping list exactly, shopping exclusively at budget supermarkets (Lidl or Aldi), and planning meals around purchased ingredients rather than shopping haphazardly.

The first week implementing this list takes approximately 30-45 minutes between planning and shopping. Subsequent weeks require 15-20 minutes as the process becomes routine. Within three weeks, budget shopping becomes automatic habit.

London students following this shopping list will not experience deprivation or poor nutrition. Instead, they’ll eat complete, balanced, satisfying meals while controlling food budgets absolutely—a financial discipline producing lifelong benefits extending far beyond university years.

Print this list, visit your nearest Lidl or Aldi this week, and experience the satisfaction of complete weekly nutrition for under £20. Your future financial freedom depends on developing these economic management skills now.

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