Budgeting your food spending might sound terrifying but its beneficial for your physical health and your wallet.
According to Forbes, the average American college student spends between $42-$55 per week.
It might seem easy to add multiple items you do not need into your shopping cart but if you follow these eight tips it will help you plan ahead before you go to the grocery store and prevent you from over-buying.
Make a list
It is easy to get distracted and pick up unhealthy and unnecessary items but if you create a list of items that you need and how much it costs, it will keep you on track.
Collecting coupons
Using coupons can help you save money on groceries. You can find printable coupons online at Smartsource.com and Coupons.com. Don’t be afraid to go through your Sunday paper and cut out coupons that can save you hundreds.
Shop at different stores
Shopping at multiple stores can help you figure out which store has the best deals and products for your budget. According to Dunnhumby.com, the top-ranked cheapest grocery stores to shop at are Aldi, Costco and Walmart.
Don’t shop when you are hungry
This is a no-brainer but people shop while they are hungry all the time, leading to impulsive food purchases. Make sure to eat a meal or snack on something before you shop or your bill will be higher.
Buy generic brands
If you are as “boujee” as I am, you would know the pain of swallowing your pride and buying generic brands in order to maintain a steady budget.
It is OK to buy a few name-brand products but make sure it is not putting a dent in your savings.
Meal prep for a week
Pick a couple of meals that you like and prepare two or three extras and put them in the freezer. You will not be making as many meals which saves time and it preserves other foods and ingredients.
Set a budget
Make a budget plan on how much you are willing to spend on groceries each week. For some its $50 and for other its as low as $37. Figure out a plan that fits your needs and your pantry.
Use cash
It is easy to whip out your credit card to pay but instead use cash. Take out as much cash as you need for a month and use it for groceries.
It will help your bank account from over-spending and it will help you maintain a discipline on spending by making sure you never run out of cash.
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