Groceries on a College Student Budget

We all know that feeling of dread when seeing the total cost at the end of a grocery store trip. For college students, that feeling can be even more intense. With a financial focus on our education, it can be difficult for us to come up with enough money to afford necessities. Unfortunately, those necessities, like milk and deodorant must be paid for at the end of the day. So how do we do it? And, where should we go to make the best necessities purchases on a college student budget?

First, let’s look at ways we can be a smart shopper. For starters, you should always plan out your grocery list before ever stepping foot into the grocery store. This will eliminate a lot of impulsive buys and allow you to stick to your budget.

Another great tip is to do your research while making a grocery list. Nowadays, most stores have apps where you can monitor the prices and availability of inventory. By being able to see a store’s inventory and prices, you could potentially save a lot of money. You might even hit more than one store to really get the most bang for your buck.

In the Bluefield area, we can find at least four grocery stores within walking distance of campus. These four include Food City, Dollar General Market, Sam’s Club, and Walmart. Let’s take a deeper look into which of these stores has the most budget-friendly items.

At Food City, you can expect to find prices that are higher than average. If you are looking to buy your weekly groceries and bare necessities, it would be in your favor to look elsewhere. Food City tends to bump up their prices on average items you can find elsewhere. However, when looking for specialty items, Food City would be your go-to. They carry specialty breads, cheeses, and other items you may need for an unusual recipe. They also offer certain perks when getting gas using their point system.

Sam’s Club is a good option if you are a snack person. There are many options at Sam’s Club that will feed you for a month; however, most of the items in the store have higher prices. Because it is a bulk store, you get a lot of food, but you pay about $20 for one item. If you are buying groceries for the whole month, then Sam’s Club is your place. Sam’s Club also has a hefty yearly membership that comes with the perk of discounted gas. If you want to buy on a more weekly basis, then I would check out the other local stores.

Dollar General Market is a lesser-known grocery store with some average prices. The only downside to Dollar General is that they have limited stock. Being a smaller store, they can only carry so much. They offer everyday items as well as groceries like cleaning supplies, paper towels, and toilet paper. While this would be a great store for a quick run for snacks, I would refrain from doing your entire grocery run here.

Walmart is the fourth option within walking distance of the university. Walmart has almost everything a college student could need, from food to hygiene products. Walmart also has an app that allows you to find the cheapest version of what you are searching for in the store. They offer many different brands, including off-brand items that are much cheaper than name brands. The downside of Walmart is that there are no gas perks. It is also very easy to spend too much money there because of the variety of merchandise available.

In conclusion, I believe that Walmart is the best place to buy groceries on a budget. The app and memberships are free. With the app, you can completely plan out your list and even order ahead of time. Doing this will help eliminate impulsive decisions about snacks. The store offers everything a college student may need, from eggs to plates and cups. The prices at Walmart are also very budget-friendly because you have a lot of options for the same items. Unlike the other stores in the area, you can get the most bang for your buck.