Grocery Shopping On A College Budget

Don’t Shop while Hungry

Studies show shopping while hungry increases your chance of impulse buying. Be mindful of your budget and don’t shop on an empty stomach!

Buy in Season

Produce can be expensive, especially when buying out of season. Luckily, some produce never goes out of season including apples, bananas, carrots, and celery. However, you may want to reconsider purchasing strawberries in the winter as they will be much higher priced than in summer. Not to mention, in season produce is typically fresher and has more nutritional value!

Make a List

Making a list can be helpful when deciding what you are planning on making for the week. It also redirects you from products you don’t need, and don’t fit into your budget for the week!

Meal Prep/Use Leftovers

Meal prepping and using leftovers is a great way to save money because your meals are already planned and can be kept frozen or refrigerated for the time being. This is also a time saver because budgeting one day a week to make meals for that week means less time in the mornings and nights to spend making food. This allows you to also buy ingredients in bulk, and keep from wasting.

Freeze Anything and Everything You Can

Buying frozen fruits and vegetables tends to be cheaper than buying them fresh and also allows them to last longer. You can also buy frozen meats, meals, etc... for use later in the week, month or year!

Cut Back on Meat

Meat, especially red meat and seafood, tends to be more expensive. Cutting back on meat and taking a more vegetarian route is a great way to save money, not to mention it can also have great health benefits! 

Buy Generic/Store Brand 

Making a switch from the name brands to generic/store brands is an easy way to save a few dollars per grocery trip. Don’t be fooled by the advertising tactics, they tend to taste the same anyways!

Use Coupons

Some grocery stores will scan for any and all coupons and checkout, there are also apps and websites that carry coupons, and the old fashioned newspaper and mail coupons way. Collecting and keeping up with coupons is an easy way to save money each time you grocery shop!

Take Your Roommate(s)

Buying in bulk tends to be cheaper, taking your roommate(s) and splitting the cost is a great way to save money, and buy items that tend to be cheaper, such as meat, at a cheaper price. Take a trip to Costco once a month if possible!