It’s no secret how stressful budgeting can be and especially speaking as a college student, this is a game I’m constantly playing. As inflation continues to rise and prices skyrocket, grocery shopping has become more of an activity that I dread. Loading up the cart with all the essentials just seems to hurt my credit card bill. However, you’re in luck because I’m here to share my favorite tips for making those trips to the grocery store bearable! Budgeting does not have to be difficult as long as you have a plan. Let’s tackle my 5 tips for grocery shopping on a budget!
1) Plan out your meals for the week
- This tip has become a non-negotiable for planning my trips to the store. Having a rough idea of what meals I plan on cooking for the week allows me to leave no food to waste, have a plan when I walk into the store, and save me time during the week. Some of the people in my life are religious meal planners on Sunday evenings, prepping every meal for the week but that method just doesn’t work for me. I genuinely look forward to coming home after a long and stressful day and being able to cook. It’s therapy for me but having the right ingredients is key, which is why this tip is so crucial for me.
2) Make sure you have a source of carbs, fats, proteins, and fiber
– This has been a game changer for me not feeling overwhelmed in the store and knowing that I have all the right ingredients in my cart. For me, if I have rice, potatoes, and pasta in the pantry for carbs I’m set. I prefer to have chicken breasts, canned tuna, and ground beef on hand or in the freezer for protein. Having yogurt, cottage cheese, avocados, and nuts are my staple fats. And bananas, berries, vegetables, salad greens, beans, and oats are my favorite sources of fiber. A lot of these staples last me a long time but as long as they’re in my pantry or refrigerator, I feel confident in preparing healthy and nutritious meals. If I’m ever feeling lost in the grocery store, I make a mental note of the foods in my cart in relation to my food groups and can refocus my shopping energy.
3) Create a List
– This one is self-explanatory, but I must include it. The number of times I have entered the grocery store without a list and ended up purchasing the most random assortment of items is comical. Having a list keeps you accountable and focused on why you’re there in the first place. There are so many goodies at the store making it way too easy to get distracted. Your wallet will thank you for this one!
4) Bring your own grocery bags
– This one may come to you as a surprise but even when I write a list and plan my meals, I still tend to add some extra goodies to my cart. I only allow myself to carry two reusable bags into the store. For one it saves you a little bit of money (every bit counts). And two, if I go into the store knowing I can only leave with two full grocery bags, I stop myself from adding extra groceries to my final checkout. It seems like a silly thing to do but I can promise, this will save you money!
5) Set a nonnegotiable time & date to go to the store –
For me, I tend to go 10-14 days on supplies from a proper grocery trip. When I only allot one trip to the store for this extended period, I’m more intentional about my shopping. If I allow myself to take multiple small trips, I have the tendency to go way over budget. Intentional shopping is key, and your wallet will thank you later!!