Grocery bills are getting out of control. The cost of living is constantly on the rise and food prices soar with inflation. Many people think that budgeting or restraint are the only solutions. But you can save big on groceries without sacrificing your favorite foods.Â
So what do you do to stay afloat? These are 5 easy ways that you can save big on groceries.
1. Cut Processed Foods
Tv dinners, chips, and candy seem like inexpensive options while you’re shopping. The opposite is actually true! Produce and basic cooking ingredients are often a lot more cost-effective. The thing is, you have to utilize sales and coupons in order to do it.
Be strict about shopping the sales on produce at your local grocery store. Only buy meats, veggies, fruits, and non-perishables that give you a great deal. With those discounted items, you can use your culinary creativity to make an excellent meal for a fraction of the cost.Â
2. Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk can be a great way to save money on groceries and reduce waste. When buying in bulk, there are often discounts on the overall purchase, free shipping, and food will last longer over a period of time. This can help save money in the long run with fewer trips to the grocery store.
These are the best items to purchase in bulk so that you save big on groceries:
- Fruits and veggies
- Prep your produce for easy snacking and freeze your leftovers for later use!
- High-quality meat
- You can portion it and freeze whatever you don’t use.
- Household products
- Paper towels, cleaning supplies, and detergents can all be stockpiled when you find the best deals- saving you money in the long run.
3. Shop at discount stores
Consumers love fancy stores with aesthetically pleasing displays. However, what you don’t realize is that you pay for the experience. At higher-end grocery stores, food is often marked up significantly.
Shopping at a discount store or big box stores have lower prices on groceries than traditional supermarkets. For you basic grocery supplies, these stores will give you the best bang for your buck. Â
4. Use coupons
Coupons are a great way to save money on groceries and get discounts on the items you need. Week after week, there’s always new deals to discover. Check the local newspaper for coupons on the flyers for grocery stores.
If you don’t have time to clip paper coupons, digital offers make your shopping even easier. You can store all of your favorite deals on one central app that’s easily accessible from any device. Some stores have shopper’s cards that contain exclusive digital deals that are available to members only.
5. Plan meals
It will take some effort, but planning a weekly menu with ingredients can help save money in the long run. Each week, set aside a few hours to make a game plan and prep your food. You’ll want to think through breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts.
Take a survey of what everyone seems to eat in the house and write it all down. Look for places to substitute or eliminate costs. Many times expenses are spent on quick easy food. There are apps that can help design a meal plan for the week and help save on purchases.
For example, on Monday the meal may be a chicken-based dinner. That same chicken that was cooked Monday could also be used the next night in a separate dinner. Making meals with some of the same ingredients over a week helps to eliminate waste and save money on separate purchases. Planning meals over the week helps to eliminate last minute restaurant expenses.
