Groceries can be expensive, but when you know what to buy (and what not to buy), you can trim your bill a great deal. Many people overspend on groceries on a regular basis, but there are plenty of ways to avoid this. Small savings per week can add up quickly, and here are some tips to help you save:
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Use coupons. There are coupons available from your grocery store and in your local newspaper or your mailbox. You can also find them on websites and other places. Sometimes you can double up, and there are stores that offer double or even triple the coupon value on specific dates. Even without going to extremes, couponing can help cut your bill quite a bit.
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Buy generics. When it comes to groceries, many generics or store brands are just as good as the national brands, but you can get them at a fraction of the price. Often they are even the exact product, made and packaged in the same factory, and then placed in containers with different labels. This is definitely true for water, and that same product can vary in cost to almost double.
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Shop around. Pay attention to the weekly flyers for your local grocery stores and buy the items you need when they are on sale. Anything you use regularly, stock up on it while it is cheaper. Make sure you know what the regular price is before you buy something that is not really a good deal, just because it is on sale.
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Make meal plans and lists. Plan your meals around your sales and coupons, if possible. Make a list and ensure that you include everything you need to make the meals you have planned. Stick with the list when you go to the store and don’t grab other items on impulse.
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Don’t shop when you’re hungry. If you go to the store hungry, you will be more likely to grab items you don’t need or may not really want later. You will also probably buy more junk food and prepared foods, which are generally more expensive.
Even if you only save $20 per week by using these methods, that would add up to more than $1000 in a year. That money can then be put to good use elsewhere, or you may just find yourself a little less strapped for cash on a weekly or monthly basis.
