Blog 2

How to Live Off of a Healthy and Inexpensive Eating Budget for College Students
It can be difficult as a broke college student to pay for groceries that are inexpensive and have a nutritious outcome for your body. The quick and easy things that many of us eat such as ramen has no nutritional value, but is cheap which is why so many of us eat it. In this post, I will share a few tips to help college students get back on track to a healthy lifestyle.

1. Buy in Bulk
When grocery shopping, it is important to buy bigger quantities of things that will last you longer. If an item you are looking at has two sizes and it is only a dollar or two more for the bigger one, you will be getting more for your money. Costco is a good store for this, because they have huge amounts of food and often have great sales.

2. Buy Food, Not a Brand
All grocery stores have an on brand that is always more expensive, and an off brand that is the exact same thing but cheaper. For example, at whole foods they have "Annie's" mac and cheese boxes for about two more dollars than the generic "365" brand at whole foods. Paying for a name brand is only going to hurt your wallet.

3. Abide by Your List
Before you make a trip to the grocery store, be sure to make a list including only things you truly need and stick to them. When you are strolling up and down every aisle, that is when you are going to come across tempting items that may be unhealthy, expensive and that you do not need in the first place. Once you manage to retrieve everything on your list, make your way to the checkout.

4. Ration
Of course there are many studies on eating habits and really, who knows what is true? However, there have been studies proving that snacking throughout the day is more beneficial than consuming three meals a day. If you live by this eating habit, first of all you will be spending less money on food and you will not be over eating which means no weight gain! Though this could be difficult to achieve for those who tend to eat bigger portions, but if you keep in mind the fact that it will pay off for your health it can most definitely be done.

5. You Can Still Have Your Daily Starbucks!
Many people think that Starbucks is overrated because of it's price, but if you're like me, it is something you live by everyday. At Starbucks, getting a latte is normally between five and seven dollars depending on size and the latte type, but if you just get tea it is normally around three and four dollars. They also give you a ten cent discount if you bring a reusable cup! Starbucks also has a rewards program that gives you a free drink after 125 stars (which is easily reached) on their app and on your birthday!