I was at the store with my mom the other day when I suddenly realized that I'd need to find a way to pay for food. For those who live on their own without a lot of money, even buying food can be stressful. So, I have decided to come up with some tips that might be of use to those in that situation. I hope you find them helpful:

1. Live at home.

I know you want to be independent, and that's a good thing. But living at home can save so much money! Some parents may want rent payments, but even then, there's food and utilities that you don't have to pay for on your own.

2. Budget.

Creating a budget (and sticking with it) is a great way to make sure you only spend money where it needs to be spent. You may have to tweak it until you find the right amount you can live with, but you'll be so glad you did it!

3. Extreme couponing.

There are a lot of coupons in the world if you're willing to go scrounging for them. When on a budget, coupons practically become currency. You can get them in newspapers, magazines, and at the stores themselves, and you can even ask your friends and family for coupons if they don't use them. You don't have to go so crazy that you use coupons so much that you never have to pay for anything (although that isn't a bad plan), but you'll appreciate what little you can save.

4. Canned food.

Canned food can be great. It can be nasty sometimes, but if you work with it, you can make an inexpensive, tasty meal that'll feed you for a week. Mix and match different veggies to create different soup recipes. And don't forget about canned soup. I understand that you may get tired of this after a while, but the money you don't spend on fast food and takeout can be spent on things like rent or bills. Besides, it's better than just eating 99-cent ramen that does nothing for you nutritionally.

5. Bargain stores.

Explore the options in your town to find the best prices on food. I've found stores like Walmart and Big Lots to be good, but there are probably plenty near you. You should also check which stores give the best discounts and coupons. If there aren't many bargain stores near you or you don't care for them, there are probably sections in other stores that have marked down products. (However, these are marked down because they've gotten old. It might be better to go to a bargain store, but it's up to you.)

Becoming an adult and learning to be independent can be pretty scary sometimes. Don't be afraid to ask for help from family or friends if you find yourself having a particularly difficult time, even if it's just an off period for you. Food is an important part of survival, so it's always better to ask for help than try to strike out completely alone and end up not having much money for food. If you are wanting to be more independent, though, I hope that these tips have helped a little or have at least inspired you to find your own techniques for food shopping. Good luck!