Stock the cupboards

If you want to have truly cheap meals, whenever you want, you need to start stocking up. I don't mean go out and buy twenty tins of beans, a dozen loaves and a sack of potatoes (unless you plan to just eat beans on toast and chips for the rest of your life). 
  
No... I mean every time you go shopping, spend a little bit extra on one of the 'store cupboard essentials'. How much you spend will depend on how much you have available. I usually spend about a pound more than I was going to do. If one of the essentials is £2, I'll put the cash to one side and buy it next time. Of course, if you do happen to have a bit extra then spend what you can.
  
I always try to have the following items in my kitchen cupboards:-

• Salt & Pepper - I prefer sea-salt and whole black pepper in grinders, but cheap table salt and ground pepper is fine.
• Herbs & Spices - I have a pile of sealed plastic tubs to keep them in, and usually buy them loose on an Asian market stall.
• Dried Pasta - I only ever go for the cheap stuff as once it's cooked in a sauce, it's no different to the expensive stuff.
• Rice - Again, the cheap stuff is just as good.
• Lentils or other Pulses
• Jars of Sauces
• Tinned Tomatoes - Chopped and/or plum.
• Baked Beans - Supermarket value brands are just as good.
• Frozen Veg - Cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, sweetcorn, sliced peppers, mushrooms, peas and anything else you fancy.
• Potatoes
• Bread - This can be kept in the freezer and just take out what you need. Butter a couple of slices for a sandwich and they should be defrosted in just a few minutes.
• Spreads & Oil - I pour oil into a spray bottle for frying.
• Jam, Peanut Butter & Marmalade
• Cheese Spread & Cheese Slices
• Flour - Plain and Self-Raising
• Sugar
• Tea, Coffee & Cocoa - Even if you don't drink them yourself, you should keep tea and coffee in case of visitors.
• Orange Squash - Or Blackcurrant if preferred.
• Eggs - If you're an ethical shopper then choose 'free range', and always get the best you can afford.
• Cheese - I tend to buy plain mild cheddar for basic cooking. For sandwiches and specific recipes buy the best and strongest you can afford.

Just with these items, you should be able to eat comfortably until pay day comes around, especially if you visit family friends a few times as well (if you arrive just before meal-times they may ask you to join them). This is MY list of essentials, but you may have others.
 

I also check the 'price cut' shelves in the bread section and the fresh food refrigerators. Here you can often find items greatly reduced due to a very short date, however almost ALL bread and fresh products can be frozen. This is a great way to stock up on meats. If you time your visit right, you can get some fantastic bargains (I once got four loaves at 1p each and a pound of fresh mince for 20p). Each store will reduce their prices at different times of the day, so knowing when to go may be a case of trial and error (or make some good friends who work there). 
 
With a little preparation BEFORE you have no money, and a little imagination when preparing your meals, there is no reason why you should EVER be unable to make a meal.