Bougie on a Budget: Eating in Style Without Breaking the Bank
- Piece of Cake Staff
- Jun 4
- 5 min read
Written by Lindsay Grohs
As a college student who loves feeling a little luxurious while fueling my body right—but also has to stick to a tight budget—it’s essential to have some smart tactics up my sleeve that make both possible. I know many of us, whether in college or not, are in the same boat. We want to have that elegant steak and mashed potato dinner, but don’t want to spend $50 to get it. That’s where (what I like to call) being “bougie on a budget” comes in. This article will show you how to pair delicious foods with budget-friendly options, share savvy saving tips, and much more.
1. The Magic of Meal Planning
Going into a new week, I plan out my meals. I figure out a few dishes I want to have prepared for the week, snacks, and little things I can throw together if I’m in a pinch. If you are someone with a busy schedule, I highly recommend both planning out your meals and meal prepping. This not only saves you stress but also money, as you are eating food from home as opposed to resorting to going out to eat due to a lack of preparation. Planning out meals doesn't have to be a lengthy, boring process. It can be as simple and fun (and aesthetic) as you’d like! When in doubt, Pinterest, Instagram Reels, and TikTok are perfect go-to guides for inspiration. There are so many easy, cheap, and fun recipes you can find on all of these platforms.
2. BOGOs, Discounts, & Sales Are Your Best Friend
Once I have my meals planned and I know what ingredients I need, I will do a little research. I look to see what deals the grocery stores I shop at and the ones nearby are offering. Think buy-one-get-one-free, discounts, markdowns, and any sales you can find. Taking a few minutes to look into deals that nearby grocery stores have will save you loads of money in the long run. And, if you research this ahead of time, you won’t feel like you have to buy something that seems overpriced at one store, because you already planned to go to the store next door with a better deal on that item. This also saves you from buying a discounted item that wasn’t on your list simply because it looks appealing in the store. Knowing what items are on sale ahead of time spoils that surprise, thus saving you shock and sparing your wallet.
Since I’ve been doing this for a while, I've developed a basic system. Publix is my go-to for BOGOs—they consistently offer a wide variety of buy-one-get-one deals, rotating their selection almost every week. Aldi is my favorite for affordable basics. I know that I can rely on them for their meats, dairy, most produce, and everyday snack items. Trader Joe’s is great for snacks, frozen meals, and fun specialty items you can’t find anywhere else. Sam’s Club and Costco are my go-tos for buying in bulk—whether it’s seasonings, drinks, meats, or more. They’re also my top choice when I’m stocking up for a party. Wild Fork is great when looking for exotic meats. And while I wouldn’t do the bulk of my shopping here, Sprouts and Whole Foods are ideal for organic products, fresh produce, and niche health-focused items.
Another tip I have that may be worth looking into is rewards programs or store cards at the grocery stores you shop at regularly. These programs are usually free to join and can save you money on a wide range of items, whether through discounts, personalized coupons, or points that add up to future savings!
3. 95/5 Rule
The 95/5 rule I’m referring to comes from the book Unreasonable Hospitality by restaurateur Will Guidara. In it, he emphasizes the importance of carefully watching costs 95% of the time, while spending the other 5% “foolishly”—in ways that might not make sense on paper but create meaningful experiences. This can be a helpful mindset to have for meals. Whether your “foolish” 5% comes in the form of a homemade steak dinner, date night with your partner, or bar hopping with the girls, it’s about treating yourself without blowing the budget.
4. Bring the Restaurant Home: Easy Copycat Recipes
It’s easy to get caught up in the glamour of going out to eat when they offer some of your favorite dishes. While this may fall into your 5% here and there, it’s not a sustainable fix for balling on a budget. But recreating these delicious dishes in your own kitchen is. I can almost guarantee that there is an Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest “dupe” recipe for the dish that comes to mind as you are reading this. So, look it up, see what versions of the recipe you like best (and meet your budget needs), and get cooking. Plus, if you need additional inspiration, you’re in the right place—our website is full of tasty, healthy recipes to get you started.
5. Leftover Love
Leftovers often get a bad rap, but there’s a lot you can do to make them more enjoyable and exciting. In this article, I shared creative ways to repurpose leftovers and extra ingredients to reinvent meals. Think last night’s grilled chicken turned into a fresh wrap, extra rice transformed into stir-fry—the possibilities are endless. Even ingredient scraps like fruit peels, vegetable stems, and animal bones can be repurposed for zests, stocks, and broths. If you’re ever stuck wondering what to do with a dish or ingredient, you can even use ChatGPT. You can ask it what to do with a singular item, leftover dish, or even list what you have in your fridge or pantry—and it’ll help you turn it into a delicious meal. With just a little creativity, leftovers can save you time, money, and effort—without sacrificing flavor or variety.
6. Office Bites
Many workplaces offer free employee meals, and I highly recommend taking advantage of them, especially if the dishes align with your health and fitness goals. This can save you the hassle of planning and preparing at least one meal on your workday. Additionally, it’s worth asking what happens to any leftovers. If they’re usually discarded, see if you can grab a to-go box. What started as one meal could easily turn into several, giving you effortless, ready-to-eat options throughout your week.
Being “bougie on a budget” is all about finding smart, creative ways to enjoy the good life without overspending. Whether it’s planning your meals, hunting down the best deals, embracing leftovers, bringing your favorite restaurant dishes into your kitchen, or reaping the benefits of workplace meals, these strategies help you balance luxury and frugality. Remember the 95/5 rule—saving thoughtfully most of the time and treating yourself wisely when it counts. With just a little planning and creativity, you can fuel your body well, enjoy flavor-packed meals, and still keep your wallet happy. Live lavishly, eat well, and stay savvy. You’ve got this!
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