Student budgets don’t have much wiggle room, and when people start shopping on their own impulse buying can run rampant. According to the Consumer Expenditure Survey conducted by Bureau of Labor Statistics, one person spends $285 for grocery shopping monthly. Students often struggle when they move out simply because they’ve never been taught how to grocery shop wisely. In order to become a savvy shopper, just use the following eight tips.

1. Plan ahead

It may seem obvious, but the most important thing to do is figure out what you need before going to the store. Check your kitchen items and make a list. It’s also a good idea to brainstorm some meal ideas for the following week and base your grocery trip around making meals. The goal is to only buy necessary food and avoid items that you already have.

2. Budget

Figure out your budget before you shop. “I plan out a monthly budget and try to only spend that amount on food,” says third year student Alicia Trevvison. Bringing cash is the best way to make sure you don’t spend more than you planned to – stay away from the plastic!

3. Store Choice

Check out the weekly flyers, coupons, and websites of stores before you shop. Warehouses and superstores are great for buying non-perishable items in bulk. Another good idea is choosing a store that is within walking distance to ensure you only buy as much as you can carry.

4. Hunger is your worst enemy

Paco Underhill, author of Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping, says that grocery stores time bakery scents and conveniently place ready-made food displays. Everything looks good when you’re hungry, so make sure you shop on a full stomach in order to avoid impulse purchases.

5. Comparison

The unit price is an excellent indicator for how much value you’re getting for your dollar, and it’s important to compare different brands. The unit price information is usually on a sticker located on the shelf that holds the item. The package price only tells you the cost of the entire item. The unit price shows the cost per pound, ounce, and so forth. It’s also important to check the expiration date.

6. Time Management

Make sure you allot enough time for your shopping trip. Most impulse buying will take place if you’re rushed.

7. Freezing is fantastic

“I never buy chicken at regular price,” says third year student Stephanie Wu. “I buy it on sale in bulk then separate the pieces into zip lock bags and stick them in the freezer.” This rule also applies to bread and frozen veggies and fruit.

8. Don’t be blinded by brand names

Well-known brand names are tempting, but costly. Many products of local suppliers may be of the same good quality, but less expensive. No name pasta products can run for $2.99, whereas brands such as Ragu can be as much as $3.99-$4.99 – depending on the store. Go ahead and try out the cheaper store brands – you can always try something once and if you don’t like it you don’t need to buy it again.

When I first moved out, I spent way more money than I expected to on groceries. Although moving out can be a difficult transition, if you follow these eight money saving tips and give yourself some time to learn how to shop, you should be able to manage your budget.