Who would not want to save some money every week? Well, that is an interesting proposition, isn’t it? How would you like it if you could save up to around $50 on your grocery bill every week? You can, of course, keep aside that amount to pay your credit card bills. In case you have any loans as a burden on your shoulders, then you can settle some amount of loan with that kind of money too.
Think long-term. If you are able to save some amount of dollar bills each week, it is going to be several hundred dollars within the next six months! And if you are into a bit of home budgeting for the next six months, you never know if you can manage up to a few thousand dollars.
Easy Tips to Save Money from Your Grocery Bills
Well, since we all buy regular household supplies, including groceries, we can always try to save some money each week, which can eventually amount to a few thousand dollars. Here are some easy tips just for you to save money on your grocery bills.
- Did you know that whenever you buy pre-cut fruits or vegetables, you actually pay extra money for convenience? To save some money here, always choose to buy whole fruit or vegetables instead of the pre-cut ones.
- Do not buy expensive glass cleaners. There are always cheaper options. You can buy windshield washer fluid instead. Once you compare the prices, you will realize that the latter is way cheaper than the former.
- As mentioned about the pre-cut fruits and vegetables, even bagged salads can be extremely expensive. Avoid such salads or look for packages that are on sale. That is a great way to save a few bucks.
- Most importantly, change your eating habits. Try consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables instead of flesh. That is the way to remain healthy and wealthy.
- Do not choose soda, as it contains sugar. Instead, choose flavored vitamin water, which is often available in bulk and for sale.
- If you are offered a loyalty card for a fee, do not ever consider it taking home.
- Look for different offers and sales. Supermarkets often offer “buy one, get one” products. Take advantage of such offers.
So here are some unusual saving tips that you can use when you go grocery shopping next week. If you follow these tips diligently, getting out of the debt trap will be a little easier. Try making saving money your top priority, and you will be able to save well.
Tricks for Saving at the Supermarket
Turning to apps and coupons for your grocery shopping strategy will certainly not overpower the financial angst of grocery shopping, but it can seriously drive down your bill.
If you are willing to take the leap and try money-saving grocery apps and other in-store strategies, here are seven smart shopping tactics you can put into play:
Handy Shopping Apps and Websites
Image: Amazon
The greatest benefit of grocery rebate apps like Amazon is that they can be layered on top of store coupons. Digital and print coupons can be used in-store, and you can collect the extra refund after you get home because the rebate is handled after the purchase.
You would not be able to use every mobile app you attempt. Some could be offering discounts on items you would not often buy. After experimenting with a few choices, choose one or two to include in your everyday routine.
Create a food budget that works
Knowing the secret of how to make a budget worksheet for all areas of your life, including food, can be a lifesaver to your finances.
Be honest with yourself. Are you purchasing more groceries than required?
Unless you set a budget for groceries, you will never know whether you are overspending on food. Determine your baseline by knowing how much you have spent on food during the past two months.
Meal planning and sticking to itImage: Listonic
A simple grocery list will direct you from making impulse buys. As for that sale or not, stick to the plan!
Planning ahead also saves you money by allowing you to buy the right ratio of ingredients for the meals you will prepare and avoid too many leftovers. Keep that money in your pockets!
Create a meal plan and stick to it. The secret to saving money on groceries.
Shop for groceries when you are not hungry
You believe you can eat everything in the shop when you are hungry. You suddenly find that ten dishes of spaghetti and meatballs are only appetizers.
That is your stomach talking, not your brain.
Do not let your hunger dictate your thinking; otherwise, you will end up purchasing much more food than you will eat.
According to the BBC, going food shopping when you are hungry is only going to result in buying rubbish. We end up making unhealthy choices regarding food since we are most likely to err in decisions when hungry and lured.
Buy seasonal
It is always possible to purchase and savor tasty watermelon throughout the year. However, if you are looking for inexpensive, delicious watermelons, get them at their prime.
Seasonal produce is simpler for farmers to raise and deliver to your neighborhood stores.
Foods that are not in season have to travel long distances at a high shipping cost, which you pay for on the grocery bills.
Saving money on groceries for one person
To save even more money while shopping your groceries for one person, you can follow my ideas in this text and also do these:
- Buy cheap healthy foods. High prices do not necessarily mean good food. For instance, peanuts, sardines, and potatoes are some “poor man’s” food. Yet they are rich in nutrients, full of essential vitamins, and inexpensive to purchase. You will cut down your grocery bills, whether you live alone or with others because it is cheap to buy healthy, budget-priced food. Some examples include bananas, dried beans, canned fish, peanut butter, oatmeal, potatoes, rice, eggs, apples, and many spices and herbs.
- Measuring with identical ingredients: The cost of low-priced food has also assisted you in generating savings in meal plans. These ingredients can be used differently to prepare the meals at different times; it can be mixed salad with lentils and canned tuna one evening, and the next day, the same mixed greens and tuna can be used to create a mouthwatering sandwich. Leftover beans, for example, can be made into a thick bean and tomato soup flavored with herbs and fresh chicken.
- Use your freezer: One thing that comes in handy with living alone is having some extra free space in the freezer to store pre-cooked meals. From fruits and vegetables to beef, chicken, or soups, you can pretty much freeze everything. That way, apart from saving money, you also save time since sometimes cooking for one does not feel as fulfilling as cooking for a family.
Conclusion
Saving money on groceries and food seems like a huge mission because you are so used to buying what you normally get without a plan. The next time you go shopping this week, follow the tips in this post to rethink your purchases.