Tips for Grocery Shopping - Madison

Hey Snackers, let’s talk about grocery shopping! Being a college student can be overwhelming and at times very hectic. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way. I sometimes went to the grocery store with no list and would leave with hardly any real food. Other times I bought too much and ended up tossing expired fruits and snacks. Over time I established a pretty solid grocery shopping routine and even managed to do so on a pretty solid budget.

1. Designate a day to do your shopping

Figure out how often you actually need to visit the grocery store. Pick a time that consistently works for you. Go every Monday at 3:30 or every Sunday at noon. Pick a time, schedule it in like it’s a class and stick to it. This will help you avoid running out of groceries and budget accordingly.

2. Try delivery

My friend and I didn’t have cars so we used Amazon Prime delivery service. We split the cost and ordered groceries every two weeks so we were able to buy meals. Again, picking a set time for when you can be home and put your groceries away each week is a smart idea.

3. Buy in bulk

There were some items I only bought once a month or even once a semester because I bought them in bulk. Do this with ingredients you cook with often or food you love that won’t go bad quickly or than you can freeze. I liked to do this with cans of chickpeas (my favorite) and also broth. I used both when I cooked often and it was nice to have them on hand.

4. Keep emergency staples at home.

Even if you forget grocery shopping, you’ll have these in your fridge and freezer. Some of the staples I always had in my kitchen were:

Freeze a loaf of bread

Peanut butter

Frozen dinner

Frozen broccoli

Pasta

A can of sauce

Cans of soup

Can of beans

Rice

Chicken/Vegetable Broth

Eggs

Frozen turkey

Generally, these can all be used to make a simple meal. Breakfast for dinner and frozen meals were a lifesaver on long days when I didn’t have time to buy groceries or was just too lazy to cook.

5. Have a list and stick to it

Okay, this one is important. Having a plan before you walk into the store is key. Personally, I like to have my calculator pulled up so I can keep track of my spending.

What are your best tips and tricks for grocery shopping?