If there are two things that university students are often short on, they are time and money. When you’re super busy, it can be easier to just order in takeout instead of cooking something yourself. Luckily, it’s possible to make homemade versions of your favorite takeout items for only a little more time and a lot less money.

I won’t lie to you: making your favorite foods from scratch is more effort than putting in an order through Skip the Dishes. While eating out might save you time, it’s likely to drain your savings account faster than you’d like. Also, most restaurant food isn’t actually that difficult to make — especially if we’re talking about the generic student-friendly variety.

I’ve picked four common foods that are takeout staples in the university student diet, organized into one solid day of eats. All prices for groceries and takeout were sourced from local businesses in Saskatoon.

Although you will initially need to spend money on ingredients, the actual cost per serving of each meal is lower than that of the take out alternative. As a bonus, many of those ingredients aren’t used for the entire recipe — meaning that you can make them again, saving you money over time.

Breakfast

[alert type=white ]What’s better for an early morning than a classic breakfast sandwich? It’s perfect for nursing a hangover or slogging through your first class of the day. Price of a Tim Horton’s egg and cheese breakfast sandwich: $2.99. Price breakdown of homemade version: English muffins: $3.49 for six = $0.58/serving. Eggs: $2.79 for 12 = $0.23/serving. Cheese: $4.00 for 300 grams = $0.33/serving. Total cost: $1.14. Total savings: $1.85.[/alert]

Lunch

[alert type=white ]You need something fast, easy and filling — nothing sounds better than a big serving of pad thai! Price of takeout pad thai from Keo’s Kitchen: $13. Add $4 if you order delivery. Price breakdown of homemade version, serves four: Rice noodles: $2.18 for one 250 gram package. Soy sauce: $2.69 for 450 mililiters = $0.44/four servings. Tofu: $1.79 for 545 grams. Eggs: $2.79/12 = $0.46/two eggs. Peanuts: $1.99 for 100 grams. Cilantro: $1.49/bunch. You may need some other common ingredients like brown sugar and oil, which generally cost very little. Total for four servings: $6.36. Total per serving: $1.59. Total Savings: $11.40. [/alert]

The Afternoon Slump

[alert type=white ]This time of day is usually filled with some kind of caffeinated beverage, but a grande vanilla latte from Starbucks costs $4.15, without any fancy additions. This one is technically cheating, because it isn’t exactly homemade, but Starbucks sells instant vanilla latte packets at most grocery stores that cost $7.99 for five packets. This works out to $1.60 per latte, saving you $2.55 per serving.[/alert]

Supper

[alert type=white ]After a long day, sometimes the only thing that can sooth your soul is hot carbs covered in cheese. Pizza is on the menu tonight — but at what cost? Price of a 12-inch medium cheese pizza from Bell Island Pizza: $15.95, plus $4 for delivery. Price breakdown of two homemade pizzas: Flour: $3.99 for one kilogram. Yeast: $4.62 for 113 grams = $0.02 per batch of dough. Pizza sauce: $0.99 for 213 milliliters. Mozzarella cheese: $4 for 300 grams. Other basic ingredients like water, salt and oil. Total: $9 = $4.50 per pizza. Total Savings: $15.43.[/alert]

Takeout is convenient, but sometimes putting in the extra effort is worth the savings. Homemade versions of your favourite foods are cheaper, healthier and totally customizable. These are just the costs for the basic recipes, so you can go wild with your own modifications. With the extra money in your pocket, you’ll totally be able to perfect your meal with fancy cheese or a couple slices of bacon.

Go ahead — eat up. You’ve earned it.

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Graphics: Ashley Britz