Save Money On Groceries And Beat Rising Prices
Discover top tips to save money on groceries during times of inflation and get nutritious meals on the table without breaking the bank.
Inflation has hit us all hard lately. And one place where it’s especially noticeable is at the grocery store.
Prices have gone up at least 12% in the US from last year and some items, like cereals and bakery products, have seen even bigger increases (14.6%).
Also, the cost of food in Europe increased by over 19% in the last 12 months, with some countries facing even double prices in the course of a few months.
If you’re like most people, you’ve got a budget for groceries, and that extra 12% to 19% can really add up, increasing your monthly grocery bill by up to $100.
But if you’re a budget-conscious person, you’ll find ways to stretch your dollar and still get nutritious meals on the table.
10 Ways To Save Money On Groceries
Check out these tips for cutting back on costs and saving money on groceries during these inflationary times:
1. Plan Your Shopping Trip
Before you head to the store, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and make a list. This will help you to avoid any impulse purchases and stay focused on what you really need.
Think of it like a shopping mission with a purpose – instead of just randomly picking items off the shelves and potentially ending up with a cart full of stuff that you don’t really need.
Or worse, regretting spending your hard-earned money on something that you don’t even like.
So, plan your grocery shopping ahead by making a list and sticking to it!
2. Look For Sales And Coupons
If you’re looking for ways to save some money, then sales and coupons are a great place to start. So check out your local newspapers for coupon inserts!
Or, if you really want to make the most of the discounts available, you could check out digital apps like Ibotta and Honey.
They both offer great deals on a range of products, and best of all, you don’t have to worry about cutting, clipping, and carrying around a bunch of paper coupons!
Using coupons and discount apps is the simplest way to save money on groceries.
3. Buy In Bulk
Buying in bulk is one of the best ways to save money on groceries. Items like rice, beans, pasta, and other dry goods can usually be purchased in larger quantities for a lower price per unit.
This means that you can stock up on your favorite items and get them for a cheaper price. It’s a great way to save money and ensure that you always have the ingredients you need for your favorite recipes.
Plus, it’s much more convenient than having to visit the store every week – you can just grab what you need from the cupboard and get cooking!
4. Shop In-Season
If you’re looking to save some money when shopping for groceries, then it pays to shop for in-season fruits and vegetables.
Produce that’s in season is usually much less expensive than out-of-season fruits and veggies, as it’s generally more plentiful and therefore costs less.
Plus, it also tends to be much fresher and tastier than produce that’s out of season.
So, next time you’re at the grocery store, why not take a look at what’s in season and see if you can grab yourself a bargain?!
5. Consider Store Brands
Often, the store-brand version of a product is just as good as the name-brand equivalent, but at a significantly lower cost.
You don’t have to worry about sacrificing quality – store-brand items are usually just as good as the name-brand alternatives.
6. Save Money With Fruits And Veggies
Fruits and veggies are pretty expensive, but you can use clever tricks to “make” their price go down:
- Look for frozen, canned, or dried options with lower added sugars and salt;
- Swap out expensive produce with something cheaper;
- Make sure to use up delicate produce first;
- Freeze or add about-to-go-bad produce to soups, fried rice, or eggs.
7. Use A Cashback Credit Card
Using a credit card that offers cashback rewards can be a smart way to save money on groceries. With cashback rewards, you earn a percentage of your spending back as cash.
Although it might seem like earning just a few dollars here and there isn’t worth the effort, those small amounts can add up over time.
For example, if you spend $500 a month on groceries and use a credit card that offers 1% cashback, in a year, you’d earn $60 in cashback rewards.
8. Check Unit Prices
When grocery shopping, it can be a tough decision whether to buy big or small. While it may seem like the smaller package is the cheaper option, this isn’t always the case.
Grocery stores often use marketing tactics to make smaller packages seem like a good deal, but checking the unit price can help you make a smarter purchase.
Unit price tells you how much an item costs per unit of measurement, allowing you to compare prices across different package sizes.
For example, a 16 oz. jar of peanut butter may seem like a better deal at $2.99 compared to a 32 oz. jar at $5.49, but the larger jar is actually cheaper per ounce at $0.17 compared to the smaller jar’s $0.19 per ounce.
So, be sure to always check the unit price to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your groceries.
9. Plan Your Meals Around What’s On Sale
Planning your meals around items that are on sale in your store’s weekly circular can help you save money on your grocery bill and avoid food waste.
By taking advantage of discounts and promotions, you can avoid paying full price for your groceries.
Additionally, planning your meals in advance can help you use up ingredients before they go bad, which can also save you money in the long run.
Simply taking a few minutes to check your store’s weekly circular and circling the items you need can help you be a savvy shopper and save money on groceries.
10. Don’t Shop Hungry
Eating a snack before going grocery shopping can help you make better purchasing decisions and avoid buying more than you need.
When we’re hungry, we’re more likely to make impulse purchases and end up overspending, a 2018 study finds.
By fueling up with a snack beforehand, we can avoid this trap and make more rational choices.
Additionally, taking the time to plan out our grocery list beforehand and stick to it can further prevent overspending and reduce food waste.
The Takeaway
Inflation has increased the cost of groceries worldwide, but there are some clever ways to save money on groceries, such as those listed above.
These ten tips for budget-conscious persons can help stretch your budget and still provide nutritious meals.
So, don’t let rising prices get you down. With a little planning and some savvy shopping, you can still eat well without breaking the bank.
