If you’re on a tight budget, then grocery shopping is probably one of the things that can bust your purse. And if you are living with a budget and you’re not careful about what you buy, it’s easy to end up overspending. This is especially true if there are temptations from competing brands all over the store. One potential solution could be to look for a credit card that allows you to leave expensive grocery shops until payday. However, before signing up for a credit card, you should always research thoroughly to find one that suits your needs. You could look online at resources possibly similar to https://www.moneyunder30.com/credit-cards or you could ask a financial advisor to see if they have any specific recommendations.
But don’t worry! You’ll be able to save money when it comes to buying food as long as you know a few tips that’ll teach you how to plan out your meals before going to the store. With these tips in mind, you’ll have a much easier time when grocery shopping.
So here are ten budget grocery shopping tips that will help you save money!
1. Eat Out Less
You know what they say: “If you want to lose weight, then stop going out.” The same goes for living on a tight budget – if you want fewer expenses and more savings, then cut down on eating out at restaurants as much as possible. Sure it’s convenient, but eating out can cost a lot of money if done too frequently, especially if you have a family. You won’t be able to save money when dining at restaurants as it’s far more expensive.
2. Or, Eat Out When You Get a Good Deal
Now, if you really do not want to stop eating out, then just eat out carefully and far more selectively about where you go. If you must eat in a restaurant now and then, choose the cheaper ones or those which give great discounts whenever you dine there regularly. You can occasionally treat yourself to a fancy restaurant, like the best bbq Charlottesville has to offer, but make it a special occasion to keep the novelty alive.
Remember: Just because it’s expensive in price doesn’t mean it’s good quality. Always check out reviews before deciding on what restaurant to go to so you’ll know whether it’s worth paying for!
3. Prepare Foil Packs Beforehand
When you’re shopping at a supermarket, it’s easy to get caught up by the aisle. Then you end up buying ingredients that may or may not even be helpful when cooking later on, which can sometimes be expensive!
If this happens, then prepare foil packs before going to the store. You just need to wrap whatever meat or vegetables you’ll be using in foil (if it’s raw) and place them in the freezer. This way, all you have to do is cook everything as directed once you arrive home from grocery shopping.
When cooking from frozen, fruit, veggies, or meats, always make sure to add about 10 minutes of cooking time for every pound of food. If some of these foods are still thawing when you cook them, they can give off a lot of moisture and affect the cooking time.
4. Eat the Food You Have Stored Away Before Buying New Ones
This is important if you want to save money when grocery shopping. It’s easy for us not to eat what we already have at home and instead buy new ones because newly purchased goods seem fresher in the package or look better than the old ones. But why spend more on food that you already have in your freezer or pantry?
Whenever you grocery shop, come up with a list of ingredients for your meals and then go through everything you’ve got before leaving the house. This way, by the time you get home from grocery shopping, you get everything you need for your pantry, save money and make sure nothing goes bad and gets thrown away.
5. Buy Grocery Items in Bulk When Possible
Trying to save money while shopping is a bit more difficult if some items are only available in smaller quantities. Therefore, it’s best to buy grocery items that come in larger portions when possible so you’ll have less need for too many trips back to the supermarket.
For example, if there’s only one box or jar of this specific seasoning and costs $3 per unit, buy it once and use up all the contents before purchasing another one. If needed, divide the amount into smaller servings into several jars. If these ingredients are on sale when you find them, stock up on as much as you can.
6. Try Buying Generic Brands Instead of Name Brands
If you’re out of a particular spice or just want to save more, try buying a generic brand. They are usually cheaper and just as good! If there is no difference between the two or if the generic one is even better quality, why not switch brands? This way, you’ll be able to stretch your grocery budget further each time without sacrificing quality.
7. Buy Non-Perishable Items When They Are Cheaper
While grocery shopping, if you find a great deal on some non-perishable items such as salt and pepper, don’t hesitate in getting as much as you can. This way, when these items come in handy during the following week or month, all you have to do is take them out of the pantry instead of having to make another trip back to the store.
8. Check Out Sale Ads Before Going to the Store
You might be tempted to shop at that new supermarket down the street during your grocery shopping trip since it’s close by and offers better deals compared to your usual one. But if you don’t mind walking a few extra blocks or taking an alternative route, check out Sunday papers, store weekly ads, or even coupons from mail that list out different types of sale events. This way, you’ll know what to expect when going grocery shopping and can plan accordingly.
On the other hand, instead of leaving the house, you can also consider shopping online for coffee and other things to take advantage of discount coupons, free delivery options, and even get better discounts if you start your subscription. It will save you money on the price of your coffee while guaranteeing that the beans are always of the best quality. It will also save you the time, gas, and parking fees you would otherwise use to get to a coffee shop. By simply sitting at home, you can browse a broad selection of products and make purchases online.
9. Buy Produce That Is In Season
This is an old technique that can be useful in stretching your budget when grocery shopping. Yes, fruits and veggies are usually more expensive than other types of food, but if you buy them during their season, then you’ll get better value for your money . For example, it’s a lot cheaper to get apples in late fall than buying them during the summer because the supply will be higher on farms and therefore cost a lot less.
10. Reduce Your Grocery Shopping by Finding Other Ways to Eat Healthily
Another great way to save some money while grocery shopping is to reduce your need for buying certain food products altogether by finding other ways to get your daily nutrients. For example, instead of getting yogurt from the store, which can cost up to $5 per six-pack, try making it at home and adding some fresh berries for an extra boost.
Always keep in mind, if you’re not going to eat something, then don’t buy them in the first place. Hopefully, with these budget grocery shopping tips in mind, more money will be left over for you to spend on other essential household expenditures.