Healthy Grocery Shopping on a College Budget

A few scrolls into my Pinterest feed and I have probably seen three "Clean Eating Complete Grocery List" or something of the like. I read through the items and think to myself how much that must cost. I will be completely honest that I am ballin' on a budget. College students love to talk about how poor we are. Many people will say that it is too expensive to eat healthy. I say that it is too expensive to our health to not eat healthy. Here are some tips on how to grocery shop on a budget for one:

1. Figure Out Your Budget

How much money do you have to spend on groceries each week? I usually spend about $30 on a normal week and a little extra if I am stocking up on a staple. 

2. Plan it Out

The worst thing you can do is go to the grocery store unprepared. You need to know what you are going to purchase and how much it will cost you before you even leave home. An app I find extremely useful is Flipp. It aggregates all of the local ads into one platform and allows you to clip items to a list. Buy what is on sale. Two for $5 blueberries? Perfect, you have found your fruit of the week. Grocery stores often have rotating specials on all categories. If ground beef, canned beans, and bell peppers are on sale that week, plan to cook chili or stuffed peppers. Let the grocery store decide what you will be cooking by what is on sale. 

While making your lists, either digitally or on paper, write the price next to the item. The prices can be found in weekly ads or on the grocery store's website. This step only takes an extra five minutes, but will help you tremendously by staying on budget and buying only what is on the list. 

3. Have a Snack Before You Go

Everyone has heard the common advice of "don't go grocery shopping hungry." It is so valuable. If I go shopping while hungry, I often make hasty decisions or add unnecessary items to my basket. 

4. Learn From Your Experience

Go over budget this time? That is okay! Making mistakes is how we learn. Don't let your mistakes allow you to fall back into bad habits. Make a resolution to do better next time. 

Extra Tips

Bring your own bags. Most places give you a discount, it is much better for the environment, and they are easier to carry than plastic. 

Go during the quiet times. Google has a that when you search a business it will tell you it's busy times for every day of the week. Find a time in your schedule that is not the main rush for a less stressful experience. 

Pay with cash if you can. Paying with cash gives you a much more real feeling of spending money rather than just swiping a card. Bring only the amount you intend to spend for an extra challenge of staying on budget. 

Do you have any tips for grocery shopping on a budget? 

Where do you do your shopping?
Ever feel like the lady from Sausage Party while shopping? 

xx

Katelynn