Caitríona Redmond: Cooking from scratch isn't always the cheapest option

Plus: tips on managing a household when you lose your job 

Caitríona Redmond. Picture: Moya Nolan

People make assertions based upon appearances or what they think is the truth all the time.

It’s a common assumption that those on a budget can feed themselves with little hassle by cooking from scratch. Actually with the cost of energy included, cooking from scratch is not always the cheaper option, nor is it the easiest choice for time-poor families. On the surface, a shopping trolley filled with fresh fruits and vegetables looks great, but it’s seldom the answer to living with less.