Leaving the grocery store with a hefty receipt definitely stings. Whether you’re only shopping for yourself, or your whole family, there’s some ways to help you cut down! We’ve got some small tips to help you save big on groceries.
Buy In Bulk
When you buy more at once, the price per item can decrease dramatically. And this doesn’t only apply to large packs of rice or paper towels. You can also cut the price by buying produce and meats in bulk.
Meal prepping is a great way to ensure you actually use all of your bulk food. Get a few pounds of chicken and veggies and cook them however you want. Then divide them into individual meals and they’ll save in the fridge for up to four days!
Don’t Be Afraid To Freeze
Never let your food go bad by freezing it. This is a great way to handle any excess food from your bulk purchases! Or, you can meal prep weeks ahead of time and just freeze them.
Also make sure to freeze your food before it hits the expiration date. There’s nothing worse than going to make a delicious meal and finding that your food is spoiled. It can also be a good idea to buy veggies and other produce already frozen. This way you don’t have to worry about it going bad at all.
Never Shop Hungry
If you’ve ever gone grocery shopping on an empty stomach, you know how dangerous it can be. The urge to grab everything you’re craving can really skyrocket your final bill.
You’ll also be more tempted to buy high calorie and generally unhealthy junk food. Your eyes are bigger than your stomach and you will always end up with more than you need! So save yourself the trouble and eat a filling meal before you hit the store.
Go With A Plan
Making a list will help to ensure you don’t end up buying things you won’t need. Try and plan out all of your meals for the week, and only buy things you need for those recipes.
Before you go make sure you account for everything you already have so it doesn’t go bad or you don’t make a repeat purchase! In fact, it’s best to take inventory once a month or so so you use up all your food and don’t end up with four bags of flour.
One of the best ways to save is by only going shopping once a week. You will reduce impulse purchases and save time and money on transportation!
Be Savvy
Do everything you can to be a smarter shopper. This includes buying things on sale. Especially when you find something you eat or use a lot of. In fact, you should stock up on these items. Remember, if you don’t use it, you can freeze it!
You should also look for coupons. It’s one of the easiest ways to save a few bucks, but those dollars certainly add up! Also, try and purchase produce while it’s in season. Out-of-season produce often has its price jacked up.
Don’t be tempted by pre-cut produce. It might take more time, but cutting up your own fruits and veggies can save you a lot of money over time.
