Grocery shopping can put a serious dent in a student’s budget. However, while food is a necessity, many students are skimping on their nutrition because of high food costs.
“I usually spend $60 or $70 once every two weeks,” said Ben Belloni, an Ohio State University management information systems major.
When it comes to budgeting, students rarely find the time.
“If it’s one or two things, I’ll walk to the UDF. It’s more expensive, but more convenient,” Belloni said.
Doug Orr, an OSU business finance major and Belloni’s roommate in an apartment off High street, practices similar shopping habits.
“I never use coupons,” Orr said. “I usually buy Gatorade, water, Pop-Tarts and Easy-Mac. It’s hard to see how that totals so much.”
Coupons, when used effectively, are one way students can save. Sharon Gattshall, a program assistant for the OSU Family Nutrition Program, offers some tips on cutting coupons.
Only buy items you use often. Buying an item simply because you have a coupon doesn’t save money. Also, try to use a coupon when the item is already on sale, Gattshall said.
Another tip Gattshall offered: take advantage of stores that offer double coupons. However, be aware of the prices. Stores that offer double coupons might charge more for other items. Also be aware of saving cards to sign up for. Some stores like to raise the prices, only to discount them for club members to make it seem like they are saving money.
If students do no have the time or the effort search for the best prices themselves, they can have others do the dirty work for them.
The Grocery Advantage is a Web site that provides its subscribers with the information they need to find the best grocery deals in Columbus.
“We try to get the greatest savings. Their are over 500 sales items each week,” said the site’s founder Michael Berberick.
The site, over a year in the making, cost $15 a month. Each week, a staff of six people scours Columbus for the best deals on groceries. When coupled with coupons, their users can save up to 85 percent off regular prices at traditional stores such as Kroger and Giant Eagle, Berberick said.
For example, a can of Cambell’s Tomato soup regularly costs 80 cents. Using The Grocery Advantage, it can be bought for 50 cents per can. When a coupon for 40 cents off is used, one could buy the soup for a mere dime. The site lists where and when the coupon appeared, and at which supermarket the best price can be found.
“It’s all name-brand stuff,” Berberick said.
OSU students can try a free 30-day trial period to see if the program works for themselves. The site plans to expand to other cities in the near future, including Chicago.
“The kind of food you find is geared to college students,” said Berberick.
