It’s no secret that we’re living in a time of economic uncertainty. The economy is constantly changing, and it can be tough to keep up with all the trends. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can save money on your grocery bill without having to resort to extreme measures like clipping coupons or cutting out food groups! In this blog post, I’ll share 19 easy-to-implement strategies for saving money on groceries that will help you get back on track during these difficult financial times.
19 Phenomenal Ways to Save Money on Your Grocery Bill
- Plan your menu and grocery list in advance, using recipes that use ingredients you already have. This will cut down the time it takes for cooking significantly!
- Don’t shop hungry or after a big meal – It’ll be easier to make impulse purchases if you’re not feeling quite right.
- Buy items when they go on sale; freeze them until you need them so they last longer than their expiration dates. For example, buy ice cream when it’s half off (when stores want to sell more before summer ends) and stick it in the freezer til winter arrives! There’s no better treat then a scoop of vanilla bean with a few fresh berries!
- Shop at a store that offers double or triple coupons; this will save you money on all the essentials.
- Coupons are awesome, but don’t buy things just because they’re “on sale”. If it’s not something you’ll use more than once and if you won’t get your moneys worth from it then what’s the point?
- Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts – stores often have specials only available to customers who know about them. For example, Ralphs Grocery Store carries a card called the Somethings Extra Card which entitles holders to 50 cents off every week of their grocery shopping with no minimum purchase required. This can really add up over a month!
- If your store offers an around the clock shopping service (like WalMart does), use it! It’s much better than staying up late on Saturday night cooking while other people are out enjoying themselves at parties or clubs because they don’t have to work in the morning. Keep your grocery list handy so you can buy items that may not be available first thing in the morning; by then they’ll probably be sold out again for hours until closing time rolls around and another shipment comes through.
- Visit Farmer Markets – You might find fresh produce that isn’t available at the store and prices will be cheaper than in grocery stores.
- Be creative with leftovers! It’s a great way to stretch your budget, reduce food waste, and create some new favorite dishes that would never have been discovered otherwise. For example, if you cook steak on Monday night then make tacos Tuesday and beef stroganoff Wednesday – just think of all those flavors getting mingled together! The cooking process is like an experiment; don’t get discouraged when it doesn’t work out because there are plenty more recipes waiting for you to try when you’re finished experimenting!
- Don’t buy groceries until they’ve expired or lost their freshness. If produce has withered past its prime or packaged goods have begun spoiling then it’s time to toss them out. There will be plenty of other options at the store that are still good and being offered at a discount!
- Take advantage of coupons for products you already use – most brand name companies offer money saving vouchers on their website or through email, so make sure to sign up with your favorite brands today! You can visit websites such as CouponMom.com, which have daily updates about new printable coupons available from all sorts of stores in your area (including grocery markets!) Keep this site bookmarked for quick access whenever needed!
- Create a meal plan for the week, or month if needed. This will keep you from buying unnecessary items and help you spend less on groceries overall because your meals are planned ahead of time!
- Shop with someone else so one person shops while the other is in line at checkout! It’ll make it seem like you’re doing more than just picking up essentials – plus there’s always something new to learn about store policies when shopping with another individual (you never know what surprises might wait around every corner!)
- Buy generic brands instead of name brands. There have been many studies that show generic products often meet all government health standards but cost far less.
- Buy products in bulk! This is a great way to save money and avoid running out of necessities. Here are some ideas: buy frozen meat packs, toilet paper or canned goods from the store’s warehouse section, purchase flossers in bundles at Costco so you always have one on hand when needed – using these strategies will keep your pantry stocked with items that can last weeks instead of only days.
- Shop online for groceries (or anything else) whenever possible. Doing this saves gas costs, time spent driving around town looking for deals and it guarantees that what arrives at your doorstep is exactly what was ordered without any shipping damage whatsoever! There are plenty of sites which offer grocery delivery services as well as coupons just like those found in stores – if you’re looking for a good deal then shop online!
- Eat out less, or at least order smaller portions. This is the best tip of all; with most restaurant chains it’s possible to make healthy and affordable choices by ordering appetizers as your main course (and skipping dessert) so that way you fill up on yummy snacks without blowing your budget or indulging in what was supposed to be just an occasional splurge.
- Cook from scratch whenever possible – this saves money in both food costs and time spent cooking because pre-made meals are expensive and lead to more work later on when they need refrigeration/freezing before being consumed. Here are some easy recipes: beef stroganoff, tuna fish salad, roasted vegetables.
- Don’t purchase a new appliance unless it’s absolutely necessary – they’re expensive and can be found used or in decent shape through classified ads listings on websites such as Craigslist.com for an even better deal!
These are just some of the many ways that individuals can save money on groceries. Whether you have a tight budget or have some extra cash to spend, these tips will help everyone keep their pantry stocked with plenty without blowing their money!
