Wetherspoons for one meal a week, not seven
Reasonable, reliable, predictable — fine once a week, soul-crushing if it's every night. Make it the Friday treat.
Local market and butcher
Most UK cities have a Saturday morning food market. £10 buys a week of decent meat, fresh veg, and some bakery. Cooking it Sunday lunchtime is a small ritual that makes a contract feel less temporary.
The Wednesday rule
Cook Monday and Tuesday, treat yourself Wednesday. The midweek lift matters more than you'd think — it splits the week and gives you something to look forward to.