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Shopping the Right Way!

Posted on 05. Sep, 2009 by Justin in Money Tips

I use to hate when my refrigerator was as empty as a college students bank account. Even knowing I had nothing in my fridge I would still slowly pull the refrigerator doors open, thinking possibly there might be something in there I could get my teeth on. I always dreaded the idea of grocery shopping because I barely had enough money to purchase the minimum amount of what I needed. It took me the time it takes to get to the moon to figure out how I could solve this highly sophisticated problem!

If you live in or close to an area which is highly populated by a certain type of ethnic group, then my Hobo friends you are in luck. Most small authentic grocery markets sell good quality food products at inexpensive prices. They have to sell their products at a lower price than the big commercial grocery stores because of fierce competition. Another reason for reduce prices is the majority of their devoted customers are somewhat new to the U.S., which means it is more difficult for them to afford expensive groceries. The best part about shopping at these places is you will discover new types of excellent tasting food.

For all of you meat eaters, FREEZE YOUR MEAT! Meat is usually discounted when it is soon to be expired. People who are idiots never think twice about purchasing discounted meat. I have bought huge pieces of steak for around $1.50 and countless pieces of chicken breast as well. If you put any type of meat or poultry in the freezer the day before it expires, the meet will then last for a little more than a month. I would buy 3 to 5 discounted steaks, put them in zip lock bags, and through them straight into the freezer. So think about it, you just paid $1.50 for a nice steak dinner! If you’re a guy, you can tell a hot looking woman, “Hey, you want to come over for a juicy steak dinner at my place”. If you were to take this lovely lady out to a restaurant, you would for sure be paying over 20 bucks for a steak dinner.

P (peanut butter) and J (jelly) sandwiches are very inexpensive to make. You can buy jelly, peanut butter and a loaf of bread for under $10.00. You just supplied yourself with a week in a half worth of lunches for less than $10.00. You are easily able to spend that amount of money with one stop to a bacteria infested fast food place for lunch.

Don’t be a snob and by name brand stuff. Just because mommy and daddy would buy it for you while you were growing up doesn’t me you have to. There is a certain marketing technique marketers do to get you to buy the same name brand stuff your parents bought you. I know this because I have studied it; some marketers call this a nostalgia marketing technique. Store brand products and name brand products are almost identical. You will save a ton of money by simply buying store brand products. So once again, DON’T BE A SNOB!

Don’t buy cereal it is way out of your budget. I know it is easy to make but it’s just too expensive for a broke student. The amount you spend on a dozen eggs and a loaf of bread is about the same price as one box of cereal and a gallon of milk. If you don’t believe me go see for yourself. Yes, I know your lazy and don’t want to take the time to cook up some eggs and make toast. Make time and do it because would you rather have a full belly in the morning for more than a week or for three days because that’s how long especially for guys a box of cereal lasts.

Instead of buying those expensive cartons of juices buy the cans of juice powder instead. All you need is water, juice powder and your set. A carton of juice is expensive and it doesn’t last long. If you go buy one of those juice powder packages you will be good for at least a whole month.

Shop smart, don’t be a snob, and be open minded. Do these simple things and you will never have to look at an empty refrigerator for the rest of your college career!

Tags: food, poor, shopping, student