Blog Post #2: "Eating On a Budget"

I felt it was necessary to state that I don’t live on campus, so I don’t completely understand the struggle of eating on a budget. But I do understand that buying food can be an expensive process since when I worked, I had to buy my own groceries. Sometimes we might be running low on money and that may conflict our times. But lucky for you, I have some tips on how to eat on a budget: 

1. As tempting as it is, don’t eat out. 

As a college student, I know this is the easiest option ever; we don’t have to make the food, everything is disposable afterwards, and the food is already made! But let’s not forget about our budget, so don’t even try going anywhere. 

2. Stop buying name brands 

Listen, I know name brand products are always the best option; they may taste better, look better or whatever, maybe, you’re just used to having named brand products. But nearly every grocery store offers a variety of generic brand products for lower prices. If you think about it, they’re literally the same product with a similar taste and look just with a different name. Honestly, Great Value slaps, it’s the most notable in stores and I can’t stress this enough, it's cheaper. The more you do this, the more money you save. 

3. Make a grocery list 

Alright, so you’re planning on going grocery shopping, I suggest you make a list in what supplies you really, really need. I also suggest you not go when you’re hungry because you are just going to buy whatever looks good. By listing all the products, you have the mindset on what exactly to get and you might not get as distracted as you might’ve been by unhealthy options and junk food.  

4. Buying in bulk is key.  

Now that you’re in the store, if you find a sale or coupons for multiple of the same product, use them! As long as you buy food in large amounts for lower prices. This may help you because food last longer as well as you now have a copious amount of food. This saves you time, gas, and other related expenses; not to mention, the healthier food choices in this big mix of foods.  

5. Take advantage of the school events 

If you live in the dorms, you should already be doing this; while you can be socializing and meeting new people. Some of these events may present free food options to eat, and again, this is FREE and you can get a lot of food for the price of nothing since its free.  

These are my five tips in order to live properly on a budget. Remember eating on the budget isn’t going to always be perfect; there may come a time where cheap food is the best food rather than nothing at all. Just stay mindful and appreciative and its fine living off leftovers as well. It's all about eating food when times may be sparse.