Hi there, and welcome to 'Eating Well On A Budget' - offering handy hints and tips on getting the most nutrition for as little as possible.

Always open to suggestions for topics to cover, so feel free to leave a comment or two :)

You know how it is, you're bored at work and you fancy a snack. Whilst the vending machine may seem like a good idea at the time, the cost can soon mount up if you're not careful. In some cases, temptation can get the better of us, and that one chocolate bar can lead to a sneaky packet of crisps or a fizzy drink.

So what can you do to resist such temptation, and save yourself a little money in the process? Well, you could take advantage of BOGOF deals at supermarkets on products such as granola bars, which can be great as snacks during your coffee break.

If you can find them on sale and buy in bulk it can be better for your wallet as well as your health, dried fruit helps to provide a little bit of a sugar boost to help you get through the day, you could even try making your own granola bars at home to eat at work - it's simple and cheap and allows you the chance to experiment with flavours.

Nuts and dried fruits can also be purchased in bulk, and by making your own little snack mixes you can save yourself a few pennies, as well as knowing that it's healthier than that bag of chips/crisps.It can also be fun to try different combinations - you may even find one you love - my current favourite involves small amounts of raisins, banana chips and dried cranberries.

If you do find yourself tempted by potato snacks though, try those which are baked and not fried.

One of the best ways to save money and ensure you've got some good food available is to think big. Many stores will have Buy-One-Get-One-Free offers available on a range of products - everything from fruit and veg to frozen fish - and with some careful planning and a bit of imagination, these offers can provide you with plenty of food during these difficult times.

Cooking certain foods in larger amounts - such as soups and stews - and freezing the surplus can be a useful way of ensuring that you've a well-stocked freezer, this can be handy if you want to enjoy your favourite dishes again and again - and can be particularly handy if you find yourself short on money and supplies.

If you're going to freeze the surplus, be sure to seal in an airtight container or plastic bag, and make a note of the date that you made it. When you come to use it again, be sure to defrost thoroughly and to ensure that your dish is heated thoroughly before serving, so as to eliminate any potential stomach upsets.

So, if you should see products such as meat and vegetables on offer at your local supermarket, consider how you could make them go further, and don't be afraid to experiment with recipes.

I got an urge to cook the other day, so I thought I'd combine said urge with a little experiment in budgeting. So, after work I headed to the supermarke, I didn't have a specific budget but I wanted to find out just how much it would cost to make Garfield's favourite from scratch using supermarket brand ingredients - and then see if it could be made cheaper using other shopping sources (market stalls etc)

After a little trip to a well known supermarket here in the UK, the price list was as follows:

• 250g mince - 1.20
• 200g grated cheese - 1.66
• 150g mushrooms -0.79p
• 750g tomatoes - 0.65p
• 1x medium onion - 0.18p
• red pepper - 0.68p
• 320g pasta sauce - 0.68p
• 470g white sauce - 1.48p
• 250g lasagna sheets - 0.69p

Total cost: £8.01 (serves at least 4)

Preheat oven to gas Mark 4. Chop and fry onion, pepper, mushrooms and as around 500g of tomatoes in a pan until softened - adding seasoning if you wish - use a fork or masher to squash tomatoes into a sauce.

In a seperate pan brown the mince and then add to the vegetable mixture. Meanwhile, line the base of a non-stick casserole dish with a little of the jarred tomato sauce and a couple of the lasagna sheets. Add a layer of the meat sauce followed by some of the white sauce and another layer of pasta. Finish by pouring the remainder of the white sauce and tomato sauce over the top and sprinkle the cheese on top.

Bake for around an hour, it should be bubbling nicely and the cheese should brown on top. Serve with a nice crisp salad and some crusty bread - and some wine if you prefer.

So there you go, experiment over, it cost less than a tenner but the new challenge is to attempt to make it for less than a fiver - so look out for that in future. What I didn't consume on the day has been frozen for other days - I managed to get 6 portions out of this and it was very nice indeed :)

There will have been times when you've perhaps heard your grandparents tell you about when they had to 'Dig For Victory' during times of war, indeed you've probably remember your grandfather pottering away on his allotment, growing the broad beans for Sunday lunch.

As times changed, many youngsters didn't have time for a small plot of land, and many allotments suffered closure and depreciation. However, thanks to the campaigns of many celebrity chefs, many are now looking to growing their own produce in order to save money on their food bills.

There are a wide range of kits available for the budding gardener, from growbags to window boxes to even small scale greenhouses you can fit on a roof garden. By investing a little time, money and some good old fashioned TLC it's possible to go green and grow yourself some grub.

And it's not just produce that is proving popular, many are turning to setting aside a little of their gardens to house poultry, ensuring a supply of fresh eggs every morning. There are some who have even set up bee hives on their properties, and rising food prices could trigger quite an increase in DIY gardeners.

Indeed, many cities are looking at the possibilities associated with 'urban gardening' - with open spaces such as parks and areas such as school fields having the potential to grow crops, which could help sustain the local area and bring the idea of fresh and affordable local produce back again.

You know what it's like, you've seen your favourite chef on TV try something new on their program, and there's that part of you that says to yourself "I could do that"

But before you reach for the mandoline, think about the effect your culinary attempts could have on your…home insurance?

Yes, it may sound ridiculous, yet every year there are an increasing number of claims on home insurance after wannabe chefs attempt something a little more risky in the kitchen. According to a survey carried out by a leading insurer, over 6 million of us suffer injury or some form of damage to our kitchens while attempting those flashy cookery techniques we see on TV - and in the process are costing the insurance industry over 5 billion pounds a year!

Whether it be slicing your fingers while attempting to chop vegetables at an increased speed or attempting to prepare food without the proper equipment.

For those who don't have house insurance this can be a very costly venture in the kitchen.

Over 85% of respondents said they leave their kitchens unattended while they check the television for the next stage of the recipe, and the mad dash back to the kitchen is when at least 10% of accidents happen.

A quarter of those surveyed had caused damage to themselves or their kitchen appliances while trying advanced techniques in the kitchen. From water damage caused by steam to cracking on surfaces, our kitchens can also be at risk - as can your home insurance - and the survey also showed that over 70% of those surveyed do not keep a fire extinguisher handy.

Industry advice seems to be to ensure that your house insurance policy includes some form of accidental damage cover in your policy, in case of any little accidents in the kitchen.

But that's not to say you should be put off, if you're feeling brave it's always nice to try something new.

It's been a debate for many years, which is better to use in home cooking - fresh or tinned fruit and vegetables?

Everybody has a different approach to cooking, some prefer their produce to be fresh from the supermarket, while others choose to go for the slightly cheaper option of canned produce.

Many stores often have coupon offers on such products, so stocking up could be worth your while, and don't discount supermarket own brands - for a small can of mixed vegetables, bought for as little as 20p, could add extra nutrition to homemade dishes such as shepherd's pie, soups and casseroles (and because they come diced you can easily mash them and add to dishes, which can come in very handy if you're trying to persuade your children to eat more healthily)

And with a wide variety of veg available in canned form, it offers the chance to experiment with texture and flavour without having to break the bank.

But that's not to say the stock available on the produce aisles should be totally discounted, for you can't exactly get salad in a can now, can you? (I'd be worried if you could) and there's nothing like a portion of fresh vegetables alongside your Sunday dinner.

As we know, supermarkets usually offer cheaper alternatives to certain products which we buy on a regular basis. These can range from loaves of bread, dried pasta and canned goods - as well as household items such as toilet rolls and cleaning products.

Some even offer clothing at low prices. But don't discount something just because it's cheap - it could end up being more comfortable or tasting better than the product you usually buy.

Whilst being very useful for those who are a bit short of cash, such as students, you could save yourself some money on your shopping bill by opting for a cheaper option - you may even find yourself liking it and switching permanently.

So next time you head to the supermarket and reach for that expensive product, consider trying the budget option for a change, you never know - you may find it's tastier and more affordable.

With the price of produce in supermarkets soaring, many struggle to afford the healthier options available to them. However there are still many market stalls out there - with a wide variety of meat, fish and vegetables available - and it can work out cheaper and healthier for you if you take the time to visit them.

Meat markets can be a great place to pick up quality local produce, many local butchers will sell items such as speciality sausages, marinaded steaks or chicken breasts and even freshly baked pies. And because you can see what is available to you and select the quantity you like, you can save yourself some pennies on your weekly food bill by buying exactly the quantity you need, rather than shelling out for larger 'budget' packs which you may not use - particularly if you're cooking for yourself only.

The same can be said of fish markets, and coastal towns can be havens for quality supply - caught fresh on the day. And as our pallettes change there are now a wider variety of produce on offer - from scallops to swordfish. And fish is very high in healthy Omega-3 oils, so you'd be doing your heart a favour as well.

And of course there's the fruit and vegetable stalls at local markets, which offer fresh local produce at an affordable price. And don't be afraid of being picky when it comes to selecting the quality of the produce you're buying - one tip is to not discount produce on appearence, for whilst, say, a tomato, might not look right for slicing up and serving on a plate it could easily be used in a soup or pasta sauce.

Markets can be fantastic places to pick up quality produce at a cheaper price than the supermarkets, so if you live or work close to a market establishment, consider popping out during your lunch break and picking up a few things for dinner that evening.

So I managed to get through Easter without indulging too much - I ended up nibbling my Buttons egg over a number of days in order to spread the goodness (as well as the calories) - any spare chocolate you might have lying around after the Easter celebrations can make for a rather useful ingredient for many dishes - so try experimenting by melting it down and adding to cakes and icings for a sweet treat which will also help save money on ingredients.

Try buying a budget box of rice crispies or other plain cereal and mix into some melted chocolate, divide into paper cases and chill until set, you could even add marshmallows or smaller chocolate eggs on top.

So I've been on this sponsored slim for just over two months now, and have managed to shed a total of 25lbs so far - and there's still a month to go :)

By changing my diet in order to give myself enough to get through one meal (of which I'm eating five small portions a day) and munching on oaty snacks such as granola bars in between (as well as dirnking lots of water)

One of the main foodstuffs I've gone back to as a result has been instant noodles. Usually lunch consists of one of the instant pots you can get over here, and combined with a small piece of bread can sustain me til dinnertime.

As a result I've gone back to making noodle soups, adding chopped cooked meat and spring onions to add more nutrition to the soup, which is pretty much what I did when I was at university (though I'm not so much relying on 6p a pack noodles from the local supermarket any more)

With the price of food steadily rising, many of us are struggling to be able to afford to eat healthily - which we're also being encouraged to do.

Having been a student and lived off a budget myself, I do hope the few hints, tips and recipes I can provide in the hub will help your budget go further.

During the weekend I embarked on a shopping trip to my local supermarket, and was totally blown away by just how much some products cost. Even a loaf of bread is more expensive than I remember. I ended up spending more than I thought, but most of the stuff was fresh - which certainly makes for some good cooking :)

And for the Brits who watch this - whatever happened to good ol' Mighty White bread? I loved the stuff when I was a kid, but ain't seen it for ages - and this new-fangled whole-white bread they sell now just don't taste the same.

Also, it's good to freeze the excess if you make a little too much - I made use of some meatballs in ragu sauce I made a few weeks ago. After defrosting them I chopped the meatballs up and stuffed the mixture into cannelloni tubes, before pouring another jar of ragu (mixed with sauteed bell pepper and onion) and a splash of white lasagna sauce over them. Sprinkled with cheese and baked in the oven for 45mins-1hour and served with a nice side salad, beautiful!

Obviously it didn't look quite as nice as the example image, but the taste was wonderful, and now that excess has been put back in the freezer :D

With the price of fruit and vegetables rising, and many supermarkets offering a wide selection of produce from around the world for competative prices, the days of the local fruit and veg market could soon be numbered.

But it's not all bad news, and it could be beneficial to pay visits to your local market every now and then. When I was a student I used to save money by visiting one in the centre of town on my way back from lectures, picking up ingredients for whatever meal I was cooking - as well as getting inspiration for recipes while browsing the selection of produce available.

Buying in this way can often be cheaper than buying ingredients in bulk at a supermarket, particularly if it's just yourself you are feeding, however this may be the only option available to families who are on tight budgets and even tighter timeframes.

As well as fruit and veg it is also worth paying a visit to your local butchers, you can select from a range of quality meats (usually locally reared) and buy in a smaller quantity, which is handy if you're only cooking for small groups.