Taking a walk through a grocery store as a college student feels like financial Hunger Games survival. Between paying for rent, gas, and tuition, you do not want to feel like you are overspending. Yet, the grocery store prices seem to climb higher every day.
If you have ever gone to the store only planning to spend $50 and walked out after spending $100 instead, you are not alone. With food prices fluctuating and TikTok grocery hauls flooding social media feeds, one question remains: is it actually possible for a college student to spend only $50 a week on groceries?
The answer is not a straightforward yes or no; it depends on the student. For some, $50 is plenty to cover a week full of meals with some coupon clipping and a plan. For others, dietary restrictions, a busy schedule and a want for variety make this harder. To find out if this is realistic, I spoke with three people — a financial expert, a TikTok creator who shares grocery tips, and a college student.
Grocery shopping comes down to making every single dollar count.
One way students can reduce grocery costs is by utilizing food pantries. Many college campuses offer food pantries where students can pick up free food items each week. Staples such as rice, pasta, eggs and veggies can help stretch a grocery budget further, but sticking to it is not always easy.
Balancing classes, work and extracurriculars can make home cooking a hassle.
“When I’m in class all day and I go to work right after, I don’t have the time to make food. Sometimes, grabbing fast food is the best option for me,” said Lindsay Luger, a junior at the University of Northern Colorado.
And even if you are not going out to grab a quick bite, those grocery costs can still add up quickly.
“Even when I do pack a lunch or make food at home, it feels like it takes 25% of what I bought and now I won’t have food for the rest of the week,” Luger said.
What Do The Experts Say?
Anyone who has been spending time on TikTok recently has likely come across creators attempting to feed themselves and their families on this strict grocery budget.
Creators have built audiences by sharing shopping trips and budgeting tips to help viewers save money.
One creator who regularly posts this kind of content is Bless Nichols or @mommybles on TikTok. Nichols said she began posting after being inspired by another creator.
“Since our budget is a little tight right now, I thought I’d try something similar, seeing if it’s possible to feed my family five meals with just $50. I thought of sharing the journey on TikTok to see if others can relate,” Bless said.
While thousands of viewers appreciate the tips that she provides, she noted that her $50 budget covers five dinners for a household of three adults and two children.
Nichols said staying under budget starts before she even enters the grocery store.
“First, look around what you already have available in your pantry, fridge and freezer. Then plan your meals for the week using what you have and list the ingredients that you’ll need in the store,” Nichols said.
She also said she keeps costs low by cooking most meals from scratch, using the ingredients she already has on hand to avoid making unnecessary purchases.
“If I already have it, then I’ll use it first,” she said.
According to Nichols, buying basics such as spices and cooking supplies can make the first grocery trip expensive, but those items do not need to be purchased every week.
Despite the skepticism from viewers, she believes that the challenge is even more manageable for college students shopping for one.
“Absolutely, it’s very doable, especially if you are a college student. $50 goes way more if you’re eating alone,” Nichols said.
Still, the popularity of these videos shows how many people are trying to cut down on their grocery bills.
While social media offers plenty of advice, financial experts say that grocery budgets are actually highly personal.
Bradley Mika, who works as a personal financial adviser for an investment platform, said there is no universal grocery budget.
“A grocery budget is highly dependent on circumstance. Two people can spend vastly different amounts based on their whole lives,” Mika said.
Factors such as locations, dietary needs, and available time all affect grocery spending. As a result, there is no universal grocery budget that can work for everyone.
“One person sees $50 as completely realistic, while another sees it as impossible. Both perspectives can be valid because individual circumstances play such a large role in spending,” Mika said.
So, Is It Possible?
The answer seems to be yes, but it does depend.
A $50 weekly grocery budget might work for students who plan their meals carefully and prioritize affordability. But for students who do have those dietary restrictions, time limits or higher food costs, it may not be enough.
At the end of the day, the goal is not to hit exactly $50. It is about finding a budget that works with your lifestyle and keeps you fed instead of living off one-dollar instant noodles for four years.