Ten Easy Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Now more than ever times are tight – so let’s talk about ten easy ways to save money on groceries. With these tips, you can save hundreds of dollars a year on your grocery bill.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR GROCERY BILL

Okay, I don’t know about you, but I don’t particularly like – or want – to clip coupons or carry them around at the store. And now with online shopping and Clicklist/Instacart, clipped coupons are almost obsolete. So let’s just forget about coupon clipping in this scenario, shall we? Good.

1. SHOP WITH A LIST.  Sounds like a no-brainer, right?  Believe it or not, most people don’t do it.  But having your list made and sticking to it eliminates most whim purchases and cuts your grocery budget almost immediately.
2. SHOP YOUR PANTRY/FREEZER FIRST.  Before heading to the store or making your list, take inventory of what you already have on hand.  If you’re like me, there is already some good stuff hanging out in your pantry and/or freezer you can plan your meals around.  Use that stuff up first and this will reduce your monthly food bill plus help eliminate food waste.
3. USE A MENU PLAN.  Are you guilty of running into the store and purchasing what you “need” without even checking to see what you have on hand?  Try making a weekly meal plan and watch your food bill decrease!
4. SHOP LESS FREQUENTLY.  It’s no mystery that the most expensive items we grab at the store are the ones we impulse buy.  By shopping less frequently and by using a list, we can save money.  If you usually shop once a week, try menu planning for two weeks and cutting down how frequently you go to the store.  This will significantly cut down on the number of impulse items you toss in your cart.
5. SHOP IN SEASON.  This is one of my favorite things to do – and it almost goes without saying because some items are cheaper at different times of the year.  We eat a LOT of fresh produce at our house, so we have fun getting creative with our recipe creation by trying some fruits and veggies that are less common during certain times of the year.
   
6. WATCH FOR SALES.  Almost everything goes on sale eventually.  Watch for sales cycles at your local stores and when something is marked down, try to purchase enough to get you through to the next markdown.
7. BUY GENERIC.  Generics always cost less, and most of the time there is little – if any – difference between them and the name brand.
8. BE WILLING TO SUBSTITUTE.  Don’t be a slave to routine!  Just because you’ve always bought Tide or Gain or whatever it is doesn’t mean you have to purchase that brand every single time.  Trying new products when they are on sale or at a lower price point can absolutely save you big bucks.
9. SHOP AT ALDI.  This is my shopping secret weapon.  I can get almost everything my family needs from Aldi for 30 to 50 percent less than what I pay at my regular grocery store.  Find out which day your closest store gets their trucks in for restock so you can get your best pick of fresh produce.
10. STOCKPILE ITEMS.  When you find an item on sale, especially one you like or purchase often, buy enough to last you through to the next sale.  In most areas, that’s typically between eight and ten weeks – so try to purchase enough for three months.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON GROCERIES?