The Grocery Store. It can make or break your pocketbook. Most experts suggest buying in bulk as a great way to save money at the supermarket, but if you are only buying for yourself, you may have to be creative. The general consensus among experienced bargain hunters: the freezer is your friend.
According to Dr. Myles H. Bader, doctor of preventative medicine and author of “Grandmother’s Kitchen Basics and Solutions,” meats can last for six months to a year in the freezer, and because most supermarkets periodically run sales on their meats, stocking up could save you money in the long run. Frozen poultry typically lasts four to six weeks in the freezer, so if your neighborhood supermarket has a sale on chicken, pick up a few pounds.
If you are strapped for cash like most college students, don’t be afraid to ask your friends to chip in. Many money-saving experts recommend group grocery shopping as a way to save.
After you and your friends return with your trunk-load of groceries, why not have party? Group meals save money and time because each participant helps with the food cost and preparation, not to mention the fact that it is a great way to work some social time into your busy schedule.
Pastas are a cheap and inexpensive way to feed a large group of people and it does not take a lot of expertise to prepare.
If you and your friends are like the millions of Americans that have jumped on the “low carb” train, then a large mixed salad it a great entree. Because lettuce is cheaper when bought in bulk, it’s an economical meal as well. Throw in some fresh tomatoes or any other produce that is in-season, add sliced chicken breasts (the ones you bought on sale) and you have a tasty, healthy meal. The leftover lettuce can be stored in the refrigerator in a perforated plastic bag and should last anywhere from six days to two weeks, depending on the type of lettuce.
In general, dining out may not be in the best interest for your wallet or your waistline. For example, at Jack in the Box, an Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger combo with small seasoned curly fries and a coke have almost 1,500 calories, more than 85 grams of fat, 2,500 milligrams of sodium and 129 grams of carbohydrates. The meal costs $5.55 after tax.
The latest trend in fast food offerings is the salad, and while healthier than a greasy burger, they are often more expensive than most menu items.
An important tip to remember when choosing the lettuce for your salad is darker leafy greens have more nutrients than lighter ones.
The best way to watch your spending may still be prioritizing your needs.
“I like to go the old-fashioned way and look in my basket to see what I really need,” said mass communication sophomore Brooke Cormier. “I also use coupons when they’re available.”