The first step to reformatting your budget as a college student is to recognize that it is completely cheaper to grocery shop, refine your cooking skills, and delete Seamless and GrubHub from your phones.
Here's a framing perspective for you: To order an omelette at any restaurant, even the cheap dinner down the street, is at least $4. To buy a dozen eggs, without going organic or brown, is around $2.60. That's about 20 cents per egg. That $4 omelette is only 60 cents, give or take the addition of butter and milk, in your own kitchen.
Now that you've finally recognized that paying for the luxury of having someone else cook, serve, and deliver your food isn't that realistic on a college student's budget, especially in the time of growing debt, here are some fast tips on saving money while in your grocery store of choice.
1. Make sure you pick the right grocery store
Smaller, health food stores tend to be more expensive than other chains like Trader Joe's, for an example. Do some research, especially surveying Yelp reviews, to compare prices, variety, and overall quality. If you're going to pay up for some luxurious packaged oranges (cough Whole Foods cough), at least let it actually be worth it.
2. Buy fresh produce that is in season.
Save money by purchasing produce that is in season. For the current month of May, arugula, asparagus, blueberries, brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, lettuce, onions, mushrooms, peaches, potatoes, radishes, rhubarb, strawberries, scallions, spinach, and turnips are among some of the produce that is in season. To find the freshest in-season produce, check out local farmer's markets to get the most quality.
3. The small things.
There are tiny differences that lie in brands, packaging, and preparation. For instance, shelled pistachios are less expensive than unshelled pistachios. Different brands of basmati rice are different just based upon the brand. Are you buying organic or regular? Take note of what's important to you and what isn't. If you aren't a stickler for organic products or a devout follower of a certain brand, forgo the expensive option and opt for the cheaper one.
4. Starches are cheap and versatile.
Think rice, potatoes, and bananas. Not only can you use these three, among other food items in various dishes and meals, they also tend to be the cheapest options. Cut up potatoes and make home-styled french fries. Blend two bananas with an egg and create some pancakes. Throw some veggies over rice with some soy sauce and call it a day.
5. Eggs are a sacred ground.
According to the Egg Nutrition Center (ENC), eggs are an all-natural source of high-quality protein and a number of other nutrients, all for 70 calories an egg. Eggs are a great for your body, weight-management, and your wallet.
6. Frozen produce is cheaper, and easier to keep fresh.
Especially if it's off-season produce. Just make sure to steam or microwave to minimize the loss of nutrients.
7. Buy in bulk.
Definitely make a weekend trip to Costco to stock up on those items that you need in bulk. This isn't an excuse to buy things in bulk you don't need, but to maximize your savings with buying items in bulk that would normally be a lot more expensive on it's own in a singular purchase (olive oil).
8. Go weekly.
Buy a week's groceries and make it a weekly ritual. It's easier to keep track of how much food you realistically need to eat and how much money you are actually spending.
9. Fly low in the sweeteners and additives.
Say goodbye to your avocado oil, sea salt, and lemon zest seasoning. Cutting down on your costs for unneeded flavor is the way to go, especially when there cheaper options. Having less salt and oil in your diet is good for you and while your food may taste bland at some points, it may be a blessing in disguise.
10. Cut down on the snacking.
Small purchases for chips, trail mixes, and smaller portions of food that are not qualified as meals add up. And calorie dense snacks are not nutritionally beneficial, anyway. Make what you eat matter more by bulking up your meals and getting rid of the optional snack times that actually don't feel you up like a meal including rice or potatoes will.
11. Be realistic.
We all know that all of your friends will drag you out to Sunday brunch or that you'll be too lazy to cook dinner after a 12-hour work day. Allow yourself to eat out, but not to waste money by eating out too much. We're all human. We all love Seamless. But there are ways to have a healthy relationship with Seamless and your oven at the same time.
