How To Save Money On Your Grocery Shopping Trips
We all know how utterly frustrating grocery shopping can be – you go to the shop to get a few crackers and vegetables but end up spending about $500 more on things that you don’t even need. It has happened to the best of us. Grocery shopping can actually jeopardize our monthly budget if we don’t pay attention. Most of the time, the money we spend for groceries is not always a fixed amount as opposed to our phone, cable, or internet bill. Hence, if we do not keep a tab on it, it will drain our monthly budget.
Here are a few ways to save up on grocery shopping trips.
Take Less Frequent Trips To The Store
The more time we spend in a grocery store, the more time we have to look at other items that we don’t even need and may eventually buy. Hence, limit your trips to the store. If you have already bought your monthly ration at the beginning of the month, resist the temptation to visit the store every week. Unless there is a pressing need, do with whatever you have at home.
Use Cash Instead Of Card To Pay At The Store
This is an amazing idea to limit your expenses at the grocery store. Once you have decided on a certain amount for your groceries each month, keep the allotted money in an envelope separately. This will be your monthly budget for grocery. When you use a card to buy your groceries, you’ll be tempted to buy useless items and it will even increase your expenses once you have to pay for your monthly credit card billing. Use your card only for emergency purposes.
If You Have To Use A Card, Use One That Has Cash-Back Offer
Several cards offer cash-back on monthly purchases. Since grocery shopping bills take up quite a lot of our monthly expenses, using a cash-back card makes a lot of sense. Cards also have several rewards and discounts on selected stores and online shops. Make sure you are use these in case you don’t have cash at hand.
Stay On The Perimeter Of The Store
Most grocery shops have fresh produce, meat, and dairy goods on the outer perimeter. This happens to be the things that we need to buy more often. Staying on the perimeter will help you cut down redundant expenses. The insides of the stores are usually packed with snacks, crackers, canned food, and baked goodies. If you are trying to avoid those, you know where to stay.
Buy Store Brands
Buying store brands always saves you several bucks. You might, of course, have to let go of your favorite brands. But, if you try out store brands you will find they taste the same or at least slightly different. When there is not much difference in taste and quality, why buy other brands that are far more costly? Sometimes, a cheaper alternative is better if you’re on a tight budget.
A List In Time Saves Nine
Make a list before you go grocery shopping. This is a very important step that will help you save on your shopping trip. Having a list you will know exactly what you came to buy and you will end up not buying things that you never meant to buy.
Stop Buying Packaged Food
Packaged food is easy to eat, no doubt. However, they are not only unhealthy as they are packed with preservatives but they can also be pricey. It is best to not buy these foods at all and instead, cook healthier meals from scratch.
Plan Each Dinner And Lunch
If you prefer weekly shopping rather than monthly, it is a good practice to make a menu for the week. Plan your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. That way you will know exactly what to buy when you make your weekly trip to the grocery store. Limiting your purchases to the menu you planned for the week will prevent compulsive purchases.
If Something Is On Sale, Buy In Bulk
While it is not advisable to buy fresh produce and meat products in bulk, if something other than that is on sale and you can use a lot of it, then buy in bulk. But always consider the pros and cons before buying. If you buy it and can’t use it, then it will be a total waste.
Buy Non-Food Grocery Items From Discount Stores
Aside from food, we also buy non-food items like garbage bags, toilet paper, soaps, and more from grocery shops. More often than not, they are more expensive in grocery stores which consequently, could increase your grocery expenses. Try and buy these bulk items from discount stores where they are relatively cheaper. You’ll be able to save hundreds of dollars a month!
When it comes to grocery shopping, it is important to never be carried away with your wants. Before you put that unnecessary item in your cart, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?”. That way, you can discipline yourself properly and save big bucks!
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