The first step is to take your mind completely off name brand products. Don't even think about them. Off brands will be your best friends. Walmart's Great Value brand is a good brand to buy - cheap and still edible. I mean, we are college students. Do we really have the means to be picky about what brand of Ramen we buy?
Then, make a budget for yourself. "I will spend this much on groceries this week. This much on things I want like fast food, etc." If you know how much you can spend on things, you will be more cautious of what you buy.
Your budget can change from week to week depending on what is happening. If you are having a little get together in your dorm room with some of your friends, you will obviously put more money into groceries than into the little fun stuff you want.
Make a grocery list before you go and STICK TO IT. If you are like me, you might see something that looks SO good (like Ben and Jerry's) and you might convince yourself that you NEED it, but don't. Just get what is on your list.
It also helps if you go to the store when you aren't hungry cause if you are hungry you will want to buy EVERY single box of Twinkies on the shelf cause you are STARVING. They are gonna put you over budget. And overweight. Trust me, I know.
DO NOT buy "fun sized" packages. That means chips, cookies, candy, whatever! You will save more money if you buy a family sized package and divide it up into baggies based on servings yourself.
Living on a budget can be relatively easy if you stick to it. Just think of all the debt you have and you might be more willing to give it a chance!
DO NOT buy "fun sized" packages. That means chips, cookies, candy, whatever! You will save more money if you buy a family sized package and divide it up into baggies based on servings yourself.
Living on a budget can be relatively easy if you stick to it. Just think of all the debt you have and you might be more willing to give it a chance!
