Grocery shopping on a college student's budget can be hard. Healthy eating seems almost impossible. There are many ways to save money and eat healthy if you shop in the right places, and don't waste food! Here are some tips to help you eat better and save.

1. Where do you shop?

Choosing where to shop is usually half the battle. Grocery shopping at certain stores may have you spending twice as much for the same products. Visiting different stores in your area can give you a feel for selection and cost. Some stores are better for some products, and not others. Take a look around to compare, and it might save you money!

2. Keep track.

When shopping in different places for your usual grocery items, keep receipts! Not only will this help you more accurately budget your grocery shopping, but it will also help you figure out which store is best for your grocery shopping. It's helpful to look for price differences in items you buy often when you need groceries.

3. Clip coupons.

It may seem trivial, but clipping coupons can really save you a lot of money (even if you do have to spend $2 on a Sunday paper). Using coupons from the newspaper can also give you an opportunity to try shopping in new stores. Cutting out a few coupons doesn't take long, and saving money can mean more money to spend on healthier food choices! Using coupons may also motivate you to try something you wouldn't normally notice in the store.

4. Shop with friends.

Shopping with friends can be good for a number of reasons. It's nice to have a buddy there to give a second opinion sometimes! Also, sometimes grocery shopping can seem like a chore to put off as long as possible. Going with friends can make the trip much more enjoyable. Another way to save money is to shop with friends and split up food that you might not want all to yourself. Sometimes it's cheaper to buy in bulk, splitting the cost and the food between friends. This may not work for all items, but it'll definitely save you money at the store. This method may also end up saving food from larger items from going bad before you can eat it! Roommates are great friends to bring along grocery shopping and share your food with.

5. Make a list.

A great way to save money when grocery shopping is to make a list. While it's great sometimes to walk the isles and pick out what looks good, this isn't always the most time-efficient or budget-friendly method of grocery shopping. Making a list can also really speed up the process when going with a group. I usually end up forgetting at least one item if I don't write a list. Refrigerator magnet grocery lists are perfect for keeping track of what you need. They are in a convenient place to write an item down when it comes to mind. Meal planning is really useful when trying to figure out what to add to your list!

6. Plan your trips.

Planning your trips can save you money for a couple reasons. Waiting till the last minute may cause you, as it has caused me many times, to go somewhere really overpriced for groceries. You might just be thinking, "Well, it's on the way home and I really need it!" Don't wait to be completely out of something you need! Plan your trips according to how fast you go through your groceries. Having a meal plan for each week will help with planning when you need to go.

7. Use the freezer.

Buying meat in larger amounts and freezing what you don't want to eat right away is a great way to save money. Thawing in cold water, or in the fridge if you have longer, can be done really easily. Frozen veggies are also a great way to eat more healthily while still saving money. Bags of frozen veggies are usually very inexpensive, and they can be cooked in a variety of ways. My favorite way to cook frozen veggies is in the slow cooker! Pre-making meals and freezing them in plastic containers or freezer bags is a great way to avoid eating unhealthy foods on nights you don't have time to prepare food. Depending on the type of food, sometimes it's as easy as thaw, heat up, and enjoy! Your freezer can also make certain foods such as yogurt or bread last longer.

8. Leftovers are your friend.

I love leftovers. I've known people that don't like leftovers, but they are the perfect way to save money and have food you like! Especially with healthy ingredients such as veggies and lean protein, leftovers can be combined, re-seasoned, and turned into a completely different meal. Keeping tortillas and fresh produce is really helpful in reusing leftovers. Making tacos is one of the many great ways of combining leftovers for lunch the next day. Dating your leftovers can help you make the most of them without ever wondering if it's been too long for you to eat them. Leftovers can help you save money and keep you from eating out when you don't have time to cook.

9. Don't skimp.

Not eating or buying less than you need at the store isn't a solution. Grocery shopping can be a really big burden, especially for college students. Saving money and eating healthy is often a lot more achievable if you plan well, make use of the food you buy (by avoiding wasteful habits), and being conscious of cost comparison at the grocery store. Sometimes switching to a new brand or substituting one product for another can save you money, which can be used to buy more food/healthier food. Fresh, healthy food is more expensive than processed foods, but shopping in the right places and buying the right products can help you save money and have a healthy diet.

10. Know your options.

Especially as a student, sometimes it's difficult to make ends meet when it comes to taking care of bills. Educating yourself in options involving financial assistance from the government is an option for many people with a low -income. An application process is involved, but if you're struggling to buy the groceries you need, knowing your options can give new opportunities. Looking to save money in other aspects of your life can also make grocery shopping a little less stressful on a tight budget.

Changing small grocery shopping habits can save you quite a bit of money in the long run. You don't have to change everything all at once, either (because habits are hard to break), but changing over time can make it a smooth transition to eating healthier and saving money. Being a college student doesn't mean that you have to starve or eat unhealthy foods. It's good to treat yourself, but being conscious of your spending and diet can have great benefits.