Do you want to save more and stress less when grocery shopping? Whether you want to reduce impulse buying or simply stick to a budget, a little planning and a few tips go a long way. With just a few tweaks to your routine, you’ll be on track to spending less and feeling more in control. Use these 15 tips to help you stay on track!
Set a Budget
Before even walking into the grocery store, you need to set a realistic budget. Setting up a budget will help avoid impulse spending and keep your finances stable. There are many grocery calculator apps you can use, or you can make it even simpler and set yourself a maximum spending limit. Knowing what your spending limit is can also make you prioritize necessities over luxuries and snacks.
Don’t Shop Hungry
Shopping while you’re hungry is a surefire way to overspend in the grocery store. Hunger will trick your brain into craving expensive, unhealthy, high-calorie foods you might usually avoid. Before heading to the store, make sure to eat a healthy snack or small meal. Shopping hungry will not only lead to unhealthy eating but also hurt your finances in the process.
Make a Shopping List and Stick To It
Formulating a shopping list and sticking to it is a fantastic way to shop more efficiently. The list will keep you focused and ensure you don’t forget essential groceries, but most importantly, it’ll save you money and lower impulse spending. A good way to categorize your list is by store sections, like vegetables, meats, and dairy, which will also speed up your grocery store trips.
Use Store Loyalty Programs and Rewards
Many grocery stores offer free loyalty programs that give you discounts on certain items, especially if you buy in bulk. They also give you access to members-only discounts, reward points that can be used to buy groceries, and digital coupons for foods you enjoy. The best part is that signing up will only take a few minutes, but the benefits will quickly add up with constant use.
Pick The Best Time of The Week
The time you go to the grocery store makes a big difference. You’d want to avoid peak hours, like weekends and late afternoons, as stores are crowded and items are picked over. Early weekday or weekend mornings are ideal for buying groceries. Not only is the store quieter, but many products would’ve been restocked or added overnight. Some stores might also release specials on specific days, making it a good idea to target those days, even if they might be a little busy.
Buy Generic or Store Brands
Store-brand and generic products have the same quality and ingredients as the name brands but come at a much lower price. Many of these products are manufactured by the same companies that manufacture name-brand products. The only thing that sets them apart is their branding. Your staples like flour, canned goods, over-the-counter meds, and sugar generics will offer big savings.
Compare Prices
Don’t just be happy with any price you get; compare unit prices and break down the cost per pound, ounce, or item. This is especially useful if you buy products that are sold in different packaging and sizes. While larger packages are usually cheaper per unit, you’ll need to factor that into your budget. Use your phone’s calculator or the shelf tags in the store to determine a cheaper option per unit.
Look Up and Down
Stores often place premium-priced items at your eye level, making them more noticeable. Cheaper options will either be placed above or below these items on the top or bottom shelves. Train yourself to scan an entire shelf before picking the best deal, since you usually won’t find bargains sitting in the middle.
Look in The Back of The Shelf
Products placed at the front of a shelf are usually older than the stock at the back, as stores rotate stock to ensure older items are sold first. While this doesn’t apply to most packaged and canned goods, it is relevant for items like milk, bread, and meat, ensuring that your items stay fresh for longer. If you’re not using the item immediately, make sure to pick one with a later expiration date.
Plan Your Route
Walking through a store with a mapped-out route will save you time and prevent aimless browsing that can lead to impulse buying. Remember the layout of your store, and make sure to only visit the sections you need to find the products you’re looking for. This allows you to shop efficiently while avoiding pitfalls like the sweets section that might lure you into spending extra money on unhealthy food.
Coupons Aren’t Always Good
Coupons might save you money on certain products, but they can also encourage you to buy items you don’t need. Be selective with the coupons you use and only use them for products that you were planning to buy anyway. You might save a few bucks if you buy a second bottle of ketchup, but if you don’t really need it, then it’s not a bargain in the first place.
Shop in Season
Produce that is in season will be cheaper, tastier, and fresher compared to flown-in or frozen items. Out-of-season produce, like certain vegetables and fruits, is often imported, which can lead to diminished quality and higher prices. Check the growing calendar of your region and look for sales or other signs that indicate local harvests are happening. Buying seasonal produce also supports local farmers and helps reduce carbon emissions, making it a win-win for the environment and your wallet.
Buy in Bulk
Buying items in bulk saves money, especially on non-perishables like household essentials, canned goods, and grains. Since these items are non-perishable, you can keep them for longer and use them consistently until they’re finished. Just make sure you factor them into your budget, as they will be cheaper per unit, even though the total cost might be higher.
Avoid Pre-Packaged Convenience
Pre-marinated meats, pre-cut vegetables, and individually packed snacks are convenient but come at premium prices. You pay extra for the packaging and labor, even though similar products can be bought for less or made at home. Buying whole produce and doing the extra work yourself not only saves money but often results in fresher food. For example, a whole chicken is cheaper than pre-cut pieces, and blocks of cheese are more economical than shredded cheese.
Use The Meat Department
The meat counter shouldn’t be overlooked, as it offers more flexibility and higher-quality meat than many pre-packaged options. Butchers can prepare specialty cuts, cut meat to your desired thickness, and suggest cheaper alternatives. Most of the time, you’ll get exactly what you want—fresher meat without having to pay extra for unnecessary packaging.
