Are you looking for some tips when it comes to saving money grocery shopping? If you have had to start being concerned about your finances, finding ways to save money might now be a priority. One of the ways is to budget your spending and this includes shopping for groceries.
These days there is a lot of uncertainty. Maybe you have been furloughed from your job or perhaps you have had to change your job. If that is the case your paycheck might have changed as well.
As a result, you have to survive on less income than you have been used to.
If you want to create the best life when it comes to finances, use these tips as ways you can be saving money grocery shopping.
#1 – Create a Budget
This is not only the first step but it is the most important step. You need to create a budget!
If you don’t know how much money you have coming in, how much money is going out, you will always end up short or overdrawn at the bank.
The interesting thing about a budget: you will actually have more money to spend on the items you need to purchase.
I know that sounds crazy, but when you have a certain amount to spend on groceries you are more likely to make a shopping list based on the meals you have planned to eat.
As a result, you end up with enough food to get you to the next paycheck.
Stick to the budget and you will be surprised how easy it is after a while and how less stress you have when it comes to taking care of yourself.
#2 – Write Down Everything You Spend
This has to be the second most important thing you can do when it comes to managing your money.
My suggestion: write down everything you spend from one paycheck to another. Once you have completed that, you will be able to see where you spend your money.
You will get to see if you are spending money on items you don’t really need. For instance, paying $3.00 for a cappuccino at a high-end coffee shop might be more than you want to spend.
Chances are you can get a similar coffee for less money elsewhere. Or you could make your own at home!
There is a low-tech way of keeping track: write down in a notebook. Or you could use an app on your smartphone. Either way works.
#3 – Watch Flyers
I bet you get tons of flyers from various grocery stores in your mailbox each week. These are a great way to save on items you need or use all the time.
Flyers are also a great way to plan out your meals for the week based on what’s on sale!
They are also a great way to compare prices between different stores.
Make a game plan by writing out a shopping list and make sure you note which store has the best deals.
#4 – Use Coupons
Coupons can save you tons of money over time. They also are useful in that you can try a new product and not have to pay full price.
If you want to know how to use coupons there are plenty of articles and videos on the advantages of using coupons.
You may not end up being a “Coupon Queen”, but you will become a savvy shopper and save some money for both food and household goods.
How to Coupon for Beginners (2021) Video:
#4 – Buy in Bulk
This is an important idea: buy in bulk. Not only is buying in bulk when items are on sale a good idea, but it also means that you will have what you need if you can get out to shop for a while.
There are wholesale clubs that you might want to check out to see if you can buy in bulk for groceries or other items that you use a lot of during the month.
Often these clubs have coupons that will make it even easier to save money.
#5 – Have a “Buy It Next Time” Rule
This is a good idea. If the item is not a necessity, you might want to consider not buying it the first time you see it.
This is a good way to cut down on any impulse buying that is tempting you.
As well, it gives you some time to reflect on whether or not you actually need the item.
The other thing it does is it gives you time to shop around since you might find the item at a lower price.
Or you might find a coupon that would help you save more money.
#6 – Do Not Shop Unless Necessary
Shopping is not a hobby! You don’t have to go to the mall just because you are bored or don’t have anything better to do with your time.
Shopping when it is not necessary is risky as you could end up spending money you don’t need to spend or don’t really have the financial resources to waste.
Saving money is a commitment to your future financial well-being.
When you implement a rule for staying away from the shops when you really don’t need anything, you will be able to save more of your hard-earned money.
#7 – Buying Food on a Budget
Here are some ideas on how you can stick to a budget when it comes to saving money grocery shopping. Some of these items are listed about but we have added them again as a reminder.
When you use some simple tricks when it comes to saving money grocery shopping, you will be able to have more money for the things you really need!
1. Clip Coupons: Try shopping at stores that have double or even triple value coupons. Buy one get one free can also be a great saving. Just make sure you are able to actually use both of the items before they end up expiring. The use of coupons is a great way to save money.
2. Join a Coupon Swapping Group: This type of group swaps actual items for coupons. For example, you might have a coupon for peanut butter but you don’t need peanut butter. If this is the case, you can approach members of the group to see if they can trade your peanut butter for something else you might need.
3. Create a Grocery List: This is really important. Never go to a grocery store without a list! This will only lead to you buying items you don’t need or you succumb to impulse buying. It is also an easy way to destroy your budget. When you have a list, you get to stay focused on what you need. As a result, you won’t end up buying items you don’t need.
4. Don’t Buy Items You Don’t Need: It is easy to think that buying something on sale is a great deal. But if you don’t need it, then it is not a good deal. A good rule is to only buy what you know you are going to use.
5. Stick to Your Budget: Yes, it is hard when you first start using a budget. But a budget will help you control your spending when it comes to food and look for deals. As well you just might become more creative with your recipes and you might eat healthier, and more nutritious meals as a result.
6. Compare Prices: You can compare prices on different food brands or even brands at different stores. You should check the weight against the different brands. Use a calculator so you can see which brand is the best price for the amount you get.
7. Buy Food in Bulk: Many sore have bulk food containers. When you buy items in high quantities that don’t come in a package you are able to save some money. One good idea is to buy items you use a lot of such as cleaning supplies, toilet paper, canned food, paper towels, or anything else you use all the time.
8. Get Baked Goods at the End of the Day: If you buy bakery items, go to the grocery store towards the end of the day. This is when you will find a lot of bakery items marked down as they are about to become day-old food. Also, check the day-old area of the bakery. The items are still good, but the prices will be lower.
9. Buy Store Brand Items: Often store brand foods are considerably cheaper than more well-known brands. As well, store-brand foods are often made by well-known brands; they just have the store’s label on them!
10. Avoid Buying Processed Foods: Often these foods are more expensive considering all the handling they have had to go through. They are often less nutritious than whole food. You are better off often making your own spaghetti sauce or salsa from fresh ingredients. This way you will also know what’s in them and they won’t contain chemicals.
11. Get a Job in a Restaurant: If you are looking for a new job why not go to work in a restaurant or even a grocery store. Often employees get to take home food at the end of the day, or you will be able to get items at a discount.
12. Plan out Your Meals: Before you head out to the grocery store, plan your meals for the week. This is a great way to shop for only the ingredients you will need to make your meals. Also, if you also meal prep, you will have everything you need to make up some meals. Meal prep means you spend one day making enough food for the week and all you have to do is warm it up or just take it out of the fridge. Here is a great video on meal prepping!
The Ultimate Guide to Food Prepping Video:
This means that if you are having money issues, you can make a serious attempt to save as much money as you can wherever possible.
Good luck!
