Last Updated on November 3, 2023 by karenpadgett25
If you’re looking for ways to slash your grocery bill, you’re in luck. There are a number of simple changes that you can make to your shopping habits that will have a big impact on how much money you spend at the store each week. In this article, we’ll discuss twelve different strategies that you can use to save money on your grocery bill without sacrificing quality or nutrition.
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1. Make a budget and stick to it.
Making a weekly grocery budget and sticking to it can be difficult, but it’s definitely not impossible. There is no magic number when it comes to how much to spend each week on groceries. A good rule to stick with is 5-15% of your net income for food allowance.
To help keep you on track you should bring a calculator when you shop. This way you can keep track of your spending at the store.
Tip: Put cash for your weekly food allowance in an envelope. Use this envelope when shopping. Pull money out to make your purchases. Then put the change back in the envelope. This is help keep you on track.
2. Plan your meals in advance and make a grocery list
Planning your meals in advance and making a grocery list are two effective ways to save on your grocery bill.
If you know what you’re going to eat for the week, you can plan out your meals and make sure you have all the ingredients necessary.
This will help you avoid buying unnecessary items or spending more than you need to.
When you go shopping without a list, you’re more likely to buy items that you don’t need. Also, avoid pre-packaged or convenience foods when making your list.
3. Compare prices at different stores before you shop
When it comes to saving money on your grocery bill, comparison shopping is key. Different stores offer different prices on the same items, so it’s worth taking the time to compare prices before you shop.
You may be able to save a significant amount of money by shopping at a store that offers lower prices on the items you need.
4. Use money saving tools and apps
There are a number of different money saving tools and apps that can help save money on groceries. By using these tools, you can save money on your grocery bill without making any major changes to your shopping habits.
Sites like Ibotta and Ebates (Rakuten) will give you cash back when you shop at certain stores.
One of the best ways to save money on groceries is to use a price comparison app. A price comparison app allows you to compare the prices of different products at different stores. This can help you find the best deals on the products you need.
Another great way to save money on groceries is to use a grocery list app. A grocery list app allows you to create a list of the items you need before you go shopping. This can help you avoid buying unnecessary items and save money in the process.
Finally, another great way to save money on groceries is to use a cash-back rewards credit card. A cash-back rewards credit card allows you to earn rewards for every purchase you make.
These rewards can be used to save money on future purchases, including groceries.
5. Buy in bulk when possible
When it comes to saving money on your grocery bill, buying groceries in bulk can be a huge help. Buying in bulk can help save you money on your total bill, depending on the items that you purchase. To save the most money, focus on buying items that you use frequently and that have a long shelf life.
Items like rice, pasta, cereal, and snacks are all good bulk purchases.
Costco and Sams Club are great places to buy in bulk. You can purchase family packs of meat and divide them into smaller portions and freeze. This limits the number of grocery store trips you make because you always have something in the freezer you can pull from.
6. Use store loyalty programs to get discounts
Using store loyalty programs can be a great way to save money on your grocery bill. Most programs offer discounts on items in the store, and some even offer cash back bonuses.
Be sure to sign up for the program and start taking advantage of the discounts as soon as possible.
7. Take advantage of sales and clearance items
If you’re looking to save money on your grocery bill, one of the best things you can do is take advantage of sales and clearance items and plan your meals around these sales.
Keep an eye out for flyers and coupons. Many grocery stores run weekly sales, so be sure to check the flyers before you go shopping.
You may also be able to save money by using coupons. Most stores allow you to use coupons in addition to their weekly sale.
Publix offers BOGO Free sales each week and will allow you to pair that with a coupon for even more savings.
Couponmom.com is an amazing resource for anyone wanting to get started couponing.
8. Choose cheaper brands of food products
When it comes to save money on your grocery bill, sometimes it means choosing cheaper brands of food at the store. For example, If you are looking for ways to save money, consider buying store brands instead of name brands.
Many times, store brands are just as good as name brands, but they cost a lot less.
9. Use leftovers wisely. Don’t waste food.
One way to save on your grocery bill is to use leftovers from previous meals in your fridge. If you have any leftovers from a previous meal, such as rice, meat, or vegetables, save them and use them in a new dish.
Store the leftovers properly in your fridge so it doesn’t go bad prematurely.
This will help you save money on groceries, and it will also help you reduce the amount of waste that you produce.
Be creative with leftovers – turn them into new dishes.
10. Go meatless a couple times each week
Meat is expensive, so try going meatless a couple times each week to save money on your grocery bill.
There are plenty of delicious vegetarian dishes that you can make at home. Meatless meals are often healthier and lower in calories than meat-based dishes
Stock up on pantry staples like grains, beans, and nuts that you can use to create quick and easy meals
And consider joining a food co-op or CSA to get access to fresh fruits and vegetables at a discount price.
Get creative in the kitchen and try out new recipes for vegetarian dishes.
11. Plant a garden
If you’re looking for ways to save money on your groceries, consider planting a garden. A garden can provide you with fresh fruits and vegetables at a fraction of the cost of what you would pay at the store.
Not only will you save money, but you’ll also get some exercise in the process.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
1. Choose the right location. Make sure you have enough space for the type of garden you want to plant. If you’re limited on space, consider planting a container garden.
2. Select the right plants. Not all plants are created equal when it comes to yield and cost-effectiveness. Do your research to select plants that will produce a lot of fruit or vegetables for the amount of space they require.
3. Start small. Don’t try to tackle too much at once. It’s better to start small and expand your garden as you become more comfortable with the process.
4. Use mulch. Mulch can help reduce water evaporation and weed growth, both of which can save you time and money.
5. Water wisely. One of the biggest expenses associated with gardening is water. Use drought-tolerant plants or install a drip irrigation system to save water and money.
6. Fertilize properly. Over-fertilizing can be expensive and harmful to the environment. Use only as much fertilizer as recommended for the plants you are growing.
7. Pest control. pests can wreak havoc on your garden, so it’s important to take steps to prevent them from getting established in the first place. Keep your garden clean and free of debris, and consider using pest-resistant plants whenever possible.
8. Harvest properly. When it comes time to harvest your fruits and vegetables, be sure to do so at the proper time. Harvesting too early or too late can decrease the quality and quantity of your yield.
9. Preserve your harvest. If you have more fruits and vegetables than you can eat fresh, preserve them for later use. Canning, freezing, and drying are all great ways to save your harvest for future use.
10. Share your bounty. Don’t let your hard work go to waste. If you have more produce than you can use, share it with friends, family, or your local food bank.
Planting a garden is a great way to save money on groceries while also getting some exercise and enjoying.
12. Never Shop Hungry
Shopping hungry at the grocery store is one of the worst mistakes you can make. If you’re famished, you’re more likely to buy impulsively and end up spending more than you intended.
Stick to a grocery list when you’re hungry and save yourself some money.
For more money-saving tips, check out my blog post How to Have a Fun & Frugal Summer.
Conclusion
When it comes to groceries, there are a lot of ways that you can save money. In this article, we’ve outlined twelve different tips for how you can reduce your spending at the grocery store and still get the food that you need.
From meal planning to couponing to using cashback apps, we’ve got you covered. So what are you waiting for? Start saving on your grocery bill today!
So save some money and put it towards something else you love!
What are your favorite ways to save money on your grocery bill? Comment below.
