Many college students refer to themselves as “starving college students.” Yes, it is true, the market will literally eat away at the bank account of college students, resulting in a diet of Easy Mac and Top Ramen. Students can easily spend $75.00 each week on food at the market and by eating out. This adds up to $825.00 per quarter (yes, this includes finals week). If students are lucky enough to make it home during school breaks and have home cooked meals with the family, the 33 weeks each school years they spend fending for themselves while at school can end up costing them $2475.00 per year for a grand total of around $10,000.00 over the course of their college education.
So how can college students cut the cost of groceries without having to live off of Easy Mac and Top Ramen? Is it possible to eat well and not spend a ton of money at the market?
In my research on how students can save money on their grocery bill, I found many great ideas as to how to cut down on the cost of foods. From these ideas, I came up with some key food-budget rules. Here are my seven rules to follow to avoid the title of “starving college student” and save money on your food bill:
1. Never Shop for Food on an Empty Stomach- It has been proven that if you go to the market when you are hungry, you will inevitably buy more food than you would if you had a snack before shopping. Before you go to the market, have a snack.
2. Make a List and Stick to it- Before you shop, look through the refrigerator and the pantry and make a list of everything you need. Then stick to that list. This will help you avoid buying things you already have or buying things you don’t need.
3. Buy in Bulk- Everything is cheaper when you buy in bulk. Sometimes it’s not the best idea to buy food in bulk unless it is non-perishable, but if students use the market to purchase toilet paper, paper towels, or cleaning products, they are throwing away hundreds of dollars each year. Shopping at warehouses such as Costco can save students hundreds of dollars. Invest in the $50.00 Costco Membership and watch the savings add up.
4. Don’t Let Food Go Bad- This seems like one of the biggest money wasters college students consistently do. Students throw away hundreds of dollars each year by letting their food go bad. Be careful to only buy what you will use before it goes bad.
5. Avoid Surviving on Dominos- Having food delivered directly to your door can save you a lot of time. And for students who can’t cook, it can mean no frustration with cooking and a guaranteed good meal. However, it costs way too much money to allow Dominos or another fast food franchise to be your source of nourishment. Take Dominos phone number off your speed dial. Your bank account will thank you for it.
6. Learn to Cook- Knowing how to make your own meals will eliminate your need to eat out. Learn the basics like pasta, burritos, or eggs. Or just learn how to throw together a good sandwich. If you have a Costco membership, head to their food department and pick up something in their refrigerator section such as salmon or chicken fettuccini alfredo. All you have to do is throw it in the oven for a bit and then you have a delicious meal that will give you leftovers for a few days.
7. Food-Share with Neighbors- At the start of each quarter, get a few neighbors together and create a food-share schedule with them. Have everyone make dinner for everyone else one night a week. This will allow everyone to buy food in bulk and save money on his or her grocery bill. It will also completely eliminate the need for fast food.
By following these seven simple rules, students can save hundreds of dollars each quarter on their food bill AND have good meals that don’t consist of Easy Mac or Top Ramen. Say goodbye to the “starving college student” title and hello to being well fed while keeping your bank account from being depleted.
