7 Simple Tips to Cut the Cost of Groceries
Grocery shopping can be a stressful experience. Between price comparisons, the limited time between payment and pickup, and finding a parking spot, it’s no wonder people spend hours in the store during their weekly grocery trip. In order to save money and have more time to enjoy life, follow these seven simple tips that will help you cut the cost of groceries by 20%.
Shop weekly to avoid impulse buying
Impulse buying is a big part of the grocery shopping experience. Grocery stores use marketing tactics to get you to buy more than you need, and because they keep their prices low, it’s hard not to overspend. To avoid impulse buying, shop at the beginning or end of each week. This will give you enough time between payment and pickup to consider whether or not you really need that item.
Keep your shopping list handy and stick to it.
Before you head to the grocery store, it’s important to make a list of what you need. Doing this will help you avoid impulse buys and unnecessary spending. If your list is comprehensive and complete, you’ll be able to easily stick to it in the store. You’ll also find that you’re more likely to stick to your budget because you’ll know what types of items are on sale.
Make a meal plan that’s easy on your budget so you don’t overspend on groceries.
Your meal plan should include meals that are within your budget and easy to prepare. You should also account for leftovers so you know what to eat for the next few days.
Shopping in Season
Shopping in season is important because you’ll be getting the freshest ingredients. When you shop in season, you’re also likely to find lower prices on produce and other goods because they are less plentiful. If you can’t shop during the season, consider buying fresh food when it’s available.
Using Coupons When They’re Available
If you have a coupon for an item that’s already on sale at the store, use it! These are the best ways to save money because they can significantly reduce the cost of your shopping trip.
Buy Canned Goods and Pantry Staples in Advance
If you buy ingredients in advance, you can save a lot of money.
Say you’re planning to make a dish that requires canned tomatoes and canned beans. By buying these items in bulk, you can cut your grocery bill by 50 percent or more. You also avoid the risk of not being able to find these ingredients at the store when you need them.
Don’t Shop Hungry!
One of the most important tips for saving money on groceries is to avoid going grocery shopping when you are hungry. When you shop hungry, your food purchases can jump up to three times as much and your risk for overspending increases significantly. This is a result of how our bodies react to hunger. Our brains tell us that food will make us feel better and that we should get it now. But the truth is, if you wait until you’re not hungry, it’s likely that you’ll be more likely to make smarter decisions about what foods to buy and what quantities to buy them in.
