As you know, I am a psychology graduate student at The Citadel. This means that for the past three years I’ve been paying El Cid the big bucks in order for me to obtain my education. Despite working two jobs and simultaneusly being a full time student, I wasn’t able to pay it all on my own. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it through graduate school without the help of student loans.
Never fear! I’m a conscientious gal, and I will be paying them back ASAP. Thankfully my parents have instilled the the virtue of frugality deep within my soul, and I will be debt free sooner than later.
This post is dedicated to how I eat healthfully while on a student’s budget. You don’t have to go into debt in order to eat well. Number 13 is the most important, so be sure you read all the way to the bottom!
1) Buy in bulk as much as possible. I buy all of my nuts, beans, rice, dried fruit, and even some flours from my grocery store’s bulk bin. WAY less expensive than buying prepackaged foods. If you’re looking for chia seeds, Chia Seeds Direct sells them in bulk at a very reasonable price
2) Find a discount grocery store in your area. I shop at Amazing Savings, a local discount grocery store that sells organic products. Discount grocery stores are a lifesaver if you eat organic foods. I especially like them because I can purchase products that I have never tried and give them a taste test before I decide if I’d like to pay full price in the future.
3) Buy produce at farmer’s markets. Farmer’s markets usually sell local produce (preferable to produce sold at conventional grocery stores because it has not been picked early, frozen during transit, and then ripened). Farmer’s market produce is typically less expensive than what is sold at the grocery store, but it always helps to know average grocery store prices for particular items. That way you know if you really are getting a good deal.
4) Avoid shopping at Whole Foods unless you are shopping for items that can’t be bought elsewhere. Whole Foods is definitely pricier than a conventional grocery store. For example, the local Ingles sells my favorite organic coconut oil for about a dollar cheaper than Whole Foods does. Another example is tea. Whole Foods has an awesome tea selection, but a lot of what they sell can be purchased elsewhere for a much lower price.
5) Some products are less expensive if bought online. For example, Amazing Grass products purchased during an online promotion are much less expensive than buying them at a health food store. When you buy products online, beware of shipping costs! Make sure the item is still competitively priced once shipping is included.
6) Sometimes you have to spend now in order to save later. When something you frequently eat is on sale for a great price, buy lots of it because you know you will be eating it eventually. Purchase as much as you can comfortably store in your house! Make sure if it’s perishable, you don’t buy more than you can eat before it spoils. That way when you are baking and run out of, say, sucanat, you don’t have to run to the store and buy it at whole price. I try to think it terms of long term savings.
7) If you live in the south, www.SouthernSavers.com is the best website ever. In fact, some of the grocery stores may have northern or western locations, so check it out even if you’re not from the South. It lists each grocery store, what is on sale for the week, and includes coupons that can get you extra savings.
8 ) Buy what is on sale and then plan your recipes. If salmon, spinach, and walnuts are on all sale this week, Google the items to discover a tasty meal that you can create using the ingredients.
9) Buy organic when you can afford it, but don’t feel like you should break the bank trying to do so. A conventional vegetable is better than no vegetable. Although, I have to add that there is no doubt in my mind that organic is best. Hopefully some day we will all be able to afford it! (FYI-The “skin” of fruits, vegetables, and seeds is where pesticide residue is most concentrated. So, try to buy an organic apple rather than an organic orange.)
10) Don’t buy things on sale that you don’t like. This sounds silly but you would be surprised how many people buy useless items, just because they are on sale!
11) Don’t waste food! If something in your fridge is close to the expiration date, work it into today’s meal! Throwing out food is a huge money waster. Along the same lines: eat your leftovers! I’ve never understood people that scoff at eating something that is a day old. Bring leftovers to work as your lunch.
12) Bring your lunch. (And your own coffee or tea. Starbucks is fine for a treat but it certainly adds up if bought on a daily basis).
13) Know average prices! Stores often try to trick you into thinking that something is less expensive than usual by stating that an item is on sale when really it is no cheaper than it was yesterday. You must be savvy and recognize when you are being duped. If you don’t know what an item usually costs, then you have no method of protecting yourself from this common ploy.
I hope that you found these tips to be informative. I have many more that I plan on sharing as I continue to blog!
On a separate note, swing by and check out Meghann’s Best and Worst Race Photos and vote for Lily. I sincerely believe that I have the worst photo!
What great tips!!!! I know I will be using these ideas for sure when I start grad school!!
Great ideas! Wow, I especially love the “buy what’s on sale then plan your recipes tip.” I’m trying to incorporate more healthy eating into my lifestyle, and I’ll definitely add your blog to my blogroll. Thank-you!
Glad you gals liked the tips! There will be more to come.