I moved into my first apartment three weeks ago, and one of the most exciting aspects of being out of dorms was that I finally had a full kitchen at my disposal. Now that I’ve settled in, it’s become apparent to me that there’s nothing cheap about a trip to the grocery store. Sure, we all know that Whole Foods is known as “Whole Wallet” for their high prices, but after three visits to Harris Teeter I’ve realized that trying to shop for food at any grocery store gets to be very expensive, very quickly. Not to mention, trying to buy enough food to last an entire week can be difficult. Before my most recent trip yesterday, I decided it was time I re-evaluate my grocery budget and get into the routine of practicing wallet-friendly shopping. Here are some tips I have for all you wahoos who have struggled with the same problems as me:
1)  Don’t go hungry: It’s a classic grocery shopping tip. Only hit your local market after eating a substantial meal. If you head in on an empty stomach, you’re going to want absolutely everything in sight. This will often lead to making irrational decisions about just how much food you need and will be able to consume before it expires)
2)   Make a list: We all know that wandering mindlessly down every aisle always ends in picking up twenty items that you don’t really need. Heading into the grocery store with a well-thought-out list will deter you from forgetting the necessities and will ensure that you don’t blow cash on items that will sit on your cabinet shelves for weeks, untouched.
3)  Look for sales: If you know that you will never have enough salad dressing, or boxes of pasta, stock up when they’re on sale! Getting a $2 discount on an item may not seem like a lot, but the dollars quickly add up as your cart fills up.
4)  Go for the generic or store-brand: Let’s be honest, will you really notice the difference between a jar of JIF peanut butter and a jar of Harris Teeter brand peanut butter? Taste-wise, probably not. Economically, making the switch can almost always save you a few bucks! Most grocery stores offer their own generic-label versions of the food you eat everyday. And, most of the time, the quality of the cheaper brand is just as good as the brand name, if not better.
5)  Utilize your culinary skills/recipe book: Not every college student is a skilled chef, but plenty of dishes that you often buy pre-made at the grocery store are easy enough, and much cheaper, to make at home on your own. For example, buying a ready-to-eat, cooked chicken breast can run you about $3 at any grocery store. Sure, this means you’ll spend less time preparing your meal, but it also means you’ll be spending more money than you have to. Purchase the pack of five uncooked chicken breasts, which will run you only about $8, and make them yourself! A basic salt, pepper, onion powder, and balsamic dressing marinade can make it taste better than the pre-cooked version and you’ll be saving a ton or money.
6)  Ask for a student discount: Especially in college towns like Charlottesville, many stores will offer a discount with your student ID. If you don’t see a “take X% off” sign at the register, don’t hesitate to ask the cashier what their store policy is. No matter how insignificantly small the discount can seem, over the year that saved money will add up.Â