Starving Student: Spend Less on Groceries
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Even on your student budget, you know a chunk of your budget will be spent on groceries. No secret in that! 
Here’s what you can do about it to make it cheaper:
1. Sound meal planning. Make your menu with grocery shopping in mind. Try to select recipes that use items that are already in your pantry. Remember what foods are in season. They’ll be cheaper. Always be on the lookout for recipes that ‘dress-up’ inexpensive cuts of meat (or don’t even require meat).
2. Have a definite list. Don’t impulse buy. If you find an item on sale that you know you’ll use later feel free to add it to your cart. But beware of pretty displays that can cause you to overspend your plan. Check the ads before you go to the store. Modify your meal plan and list to take advantage of sale items.
3. Larger supermarkets are generally cheaper. That’s due to volume discounts, but check the ads. You might find that it’s worthwhile doing part of your shopping at one store and finishing up at another. Nothing says that you have to use the same store week after week. It’s a good idea to scout out other stores periodically.
4. Look up and down. Stores will often put the most popular and expensive items from waist to shoulder level. The less expensive brands will often be on the upper or lower shelves. It’s worth the stretch.
5. Take along a calculator. You’ll want to be able to compare unit prices. A less expensive price on a larger size is only a savings if you’re going to use those extra ounces. If you’ll end up throwing them away, it’s not a bargain.
6. Avoid prepackaged and convenience foods. It’s tempting to convince yourself you’ll be alright living on a steady stream of frozen TV dinners. There are exceptions, but convenience foods are also often less nutritious, too.
7. Eat healthy. A healthy diet is less expensive than an unhealthy one. Rice, potatoes, fruit and vegetables are all less expensive than meat. Nothing says that you have to be a vegetarian, but it’s not healthy or frugal to fill up on meat. You might also save a bit on doctor bills later.
8. Comparison shop at the meat counter. Look for the less expensive cuts. Oftentimes your cooking skills can make a cheaper cut seem better than it is. Use chicken, turkey and fish. They’re less expensive and a great change from beef.
9. Use coupons only for items that you would buy anyway. If you’re used to buying the store brand for 79 cents, don’t buy the nationally advertised brand for $1.19 because you have a 20 cent off coupon. Rebates and coupons can be a big help. But think through the math before you ‘save’ all that money.
10. Stick to buying food. Don’t buy non-food items at the grocery store. Housewares, pharmacy items, greeting cards and holiday items can all be purchased for less elsewhere. Cleaning supplies can be a big part of the total at the checkout line. Wherever possible buy generic cleaners. Better still, learn how to make your own cleaners. You’ll be surprised at the savings.
11. Bring your lunch to work or school. You can make a great sandwich for the cost of a ‘Big Burger’ and fries. If you have a microwave available consider bringing some leftovers. You’ll find your lunch mates glancing longingly at last night’s meatloaf when they get a whiff of your lunch.
12 .Limit meals out. Most people enjoy an occasional meal out, especially when you do all your own cooking. But restaurants can be a real budget buster. Dinner is the most expensive meal to eat out. Why not go for breakfast or lunch? If you must go for dinner, be careful about appetizers, alcoholic beverages and desserts. They can bloat a bill in a heartbeat.
Gary Foreman is the founder of The Dollar Stretcher website and newsletters. Click here for more information on how a grocery price book could save you 15% on your grocery bill.