5 Grocery Budget Mistakes I Used to Make — And How I Keep My Weekly Bill Under $30 Now

Life after college brings lots of changes at once, from finding a job or going to grad school to apartment hunting and simply figuring out how to operate independently. And then there’s the matter of putting together a budget — a big part of which will go toward necessities like groceries, especially if you’re living on your own for the first time. 

Personally, learning how to budget for groceries didn’t come easy. It took making a lot of mistakes to find a method that works. And while I can’t necessarily say I have the perfect system — there’s no one right way to budget! — over the years I managed to knock down my grocery bill to about $120 each month (or about $30 a week). This total is pretty impressive, considering the fact that I live in Los Angeles, which, needless to say, is not the most budget-friendly city. Plus, I’m a vegetarian, which comes with its own financial constraints. 

If you’re looking for simple ways to cut down on your own grocery bill post-graduation, and potentially create your own under-$150-a-month grocery list, I’ve got you covered. Consider the following budgeting mistakes I learned so that you don’t have to — and the rules I’ve come to swear by instead for grocery shopping on a budget. 

Grocery shopping can be a daunting task, so it makes sense that you’d prefer to take fewer trips to the store. Plus, if you have homework or an exam to study for, who has the time to hit the aisles multiple times a week? 

However, you’re potentially wasting more food — and money — when you buy your groceries in bulk. I found that I saved more on my bill when I shopped with just my next few meals in mind. More frequent trips (even one extra grocery run per month) can keep you from accidentally purchasing more food than you’ll use or letting it spoil before you can get to it. If you’re out and able to stop by the grocery store on your way home but haven’t gotten a chance to do any meal planning for the next few days, using a strategy like the 6-to-1 grocery method can help you fill your basket intentionally even while on the go.

Out of all the groceries you buy, fresh produce has the shortest shelf life. Unless you’re using your fruits and vegetables within the first few days of purchasing, you can expect them to shrivel or wilt in the fridge. And if you’re a busy (and forgetful) person like I am, you might accidentally waste precious produce before you’ve had a chance to eat it. 

There’s a common misconception that fresh produce is better, but buying frozen fruits and veggies can save you some serious money in the long run. Frozen produce retains most of its vitamins and, along with them, its nutritional value.

I learned the hard way that when it comes to learning how to budget for groceries, planning ahead is your friend. Without a grocery list, you may be prone to impulse buying or forgetting key ingredients and end up having to make a second trip to the store or eat out instead. 

If you’re starting to make grocery lists for the first time, a smart way to begin is by building a pantry list, or a list of all the key ingredients you already have on hand, and keeping it in a pinned note on your phone. That way, you’ll avoid buying doubles of groceries you already have and spending unnecessary money (not to mention, taking up extra space in your fridge and cabinets). 

When I realized I needed to make a meal plan to stay on budget, I started by looking up budget-friendly recipes on YouTube and choosing ones with ingredients I could use in multiple ways (more on that later). Beyond saving money, sorting out a list of what you need for the week and beyond cuts down time at the grocery store, so you can spend your precious free time on the things that bring you joy. 

If you’re like me, you can be tempted to try new recipes you see making the rounds on social media. But specific ingredients that you buy for one viral recipe — like a fresh herb you won’t use up or a specific spice that’s not in your typical cooking rotation — can waste away in your pantry. 

Instead, try meal planning by embracing recipes with the same ingredients you can use throughout the week. That way, you’re buying fewer products, getting creative with the ingredients you already have, and saving money in the process. You might just unintentionally make up your new favorite dish! 

It might be a simple rule, but how often have you actually cleaned out your pantry and fridge before you re-upped on food? Odds are, you have some canned goods and boxed pasta that have remained untouched for months. In that case, this is a great opportunity to get creative! 

If you need a little help on that front, you can use a tool like The Kitchn’s recipes page, where you can filter by ingredients (or other factors, like cuisine, how much time it takes to make, or the type of dish you’re in the mood for). Or, you can try out a zero-waste recipe generator like this one to help find meals that call for all the scraps you’re trying to use up. Not only are you putting off shopping for a little longer and saving some money, but you’re also being kind to the planet by reducing waste — a win-win!

Find out how to handle your finances as if you’re a Personal Finance major with Dorm Therapy’s Don’t-Stress Guide to Saving & Spending in College.