A Little Extra Cash Can Go A Long Way
In a world where the cost of things seems to be ever-growing, grocery shopping can be anxiety-inducing for some. Not only is the price of food increasing, but trying to keep costs low while maintaining a healthy diet is even harder to navigate, with whole foods often costing more than their more processed counterparts. Luckily, you can use multiple saving money tips to keep costs low without compromising on taste or health. After all, grocery shopping and cooking should be opportunities for fun, not stress! So, without further adieu, here’s how to save money on groceries.
8 Ways to Save Money on Groceries
1. Create A Shopping List and Stick to It
Okay, admit it. You’ve sometimes gone to the store intending to buy some chicken for tonight’s tacos, only to find that a packet of cookies has snuck its way into your basket.
We’ve all been there, but unfortunately, saving money requires some discipline when it comes to your shopping list. If you struggle to go to the store without making spontaneous purchases, shop online instead. That way, you’ll be exposed to less temptation on the aisles.
2. Establish a Monthly Grocery Budget
One of the most universal saving tips is to set a budget and stick to it. Part of the reason for food bills being so high can be inconsistency. Spending different amounts every month—up to hundreds of dollars worth of a difference—can significantly impact your grocery bill throughout the year.
To budget appropriately, list your monthly income and outgoings, such as rent, debt repayments, and vehicle costs. From there, determine how much of your income you can spend on groceries without negatively impacting your finances.
3. Switch to No-Name Brands
If you're wondering how to save money on groceries, no-name brands are it. Well-known, generic brands are often significantly more expensive than a store’s own brand or no-name goods. Instead of splashing out on a well-known breakfast cereal, try a cheaper cereal from a brand you haven’t heard of, or buy all the ingredients separately to make your own.
Rather than sticking to one brand for your laundry detergent or potato chips, look for which brands are discounted whenever you go grocery shopping. Be prepared to be flexible with the products you buy, and you’ll reap the rewards.
4. Reconsider Where You Shop
We all have our loyalties when it comes to where we shop for groceries, and saving money doesn’t have to mean never shopping at your favorite store again. But the fact of it is, some grocery stores are simply much cheaper than others.
Look for which stores offer discount prices on the products you buy most frequently and try and shop there as much as possible. Even shopping at a cheaper store for half of your grocery ships can save significant money.
5. Sign Up for Loyalty or Coupon Schemes
Many stores offer loyalty schemes in some form or another, allowing you to build up points when you shop with them and use them in the future to redeem against store purchases. Lookout for grocery stores that offer coupons, and sign up to have them delivered to your home or email.
6. Plan Meals in Advance
It often works out much cheaper to plan and buy your groceries in advance than on the day. Local, smaller stores can often be more expensive than superstores like Walmart. Plus, if you plan your meals, you’ll be less likely to spend the cash on spontaneous purchases or order takeout because you don’t have any food in the house.
7. Be Savvy with Deals
When you see a product heavily discounted or on a buy-one-get-one-free deal, reaching for your wallet can be tempting. However, if you never intended on buying that product or a similar one in the first place, you’re spending more money, not saving it!
That’s where a shopping list becomes useful. Before buying something because the discount entices you, check whether the product was on your shopping list or if you can swap another product for it. If the answer’s no, leave the effect on the shelf.
8. Buy in Bulk
Products like toilet rolls indeed cost more when you buy them in bulk. But what you need to pay attention to is the unit price. If you pay $10 for 20 toilet rolls, that means that every toilet roll costs $0.50. If you pay $5 for five toilet rolls, sure, you’re spending less money, but each roll costs $1, so in the long run, it’s a wiser choice to buy in bulk. Remember to check the unit price of every multi-pack item before buying it to avoid being caught out.
Final Thoughts
Saving money on grocery shopping doesn’t have to be complicated. It just requires a little more planning. Start with a shopping list and a budget at the beginning of every month, then look at which grocery stores offer the best deals on your products.
Are you looking to save more money? Check out ways to save on your electric bill.