The basics to save money on groceries
There are plenty of ways to save money on groceries. It can take some time and a few headaches if you try to find all deals for every type of food or product you want to buy.
To be honest, I am far from the best in this. But I have little tricks to share that can actually help you lower your expenses. They are simple but effective and are applicable to anyone.
Maybe you are thinking “how can these tips apply to me as I’m not living in the same country as her ?!” Well, let me tell you, all the supermarket and big grocery stores work the same in all countries. After visiting many countries and almost every continents, I can assure you they all have the same marketing habits. With a little investment of your time, you will get to know them, then you will start to have your habits depending on theirs.
1 – Grocery store deals
When you start to check the grocery store deals is when you go one step further in dealing with your budget and your savings.
I am pretty sure, just like us, you receive in your mailbox some publicity. These come with many advertisements and thus deals from various grocery stores. We often receive them at the beginning of the week. Discounts and deals mentioned run for one week, sometimes more because they continue until they have no more stock.
You may think this a loss of time but it isn’t, trust me. You will be able to save money on groceries.
Trust me, it doesn’t take that much time. You will then notice that a lot of the items you are buying are on bargain several times per year. So why pay more when you can pay less for the exact same item ?!
It’s just a question of organization.
Nobody likes to receive advertisement. But depending on what you need it can be a goldmine, especially for groceries.
Since I have been aware of our budget, I have been reading every single week all of their discounts.
Just take a little of your time, during a break, to take a look at all the deals.
With this trick, I have never bought again dishwasher tablets or laundry detergent full price. Always half price, always 2 for the price of 1. And through several months of being aware of what I buy and what they offer, I know that these discounts come many times during the year.
That’s a good way to save a lot of money, don’t you think ?!
How to proceed?
The simple way of doing it is to go across all the advertisements. When you see a product or food you often buy and they decided to discount it in any way, write it down on your list. Or, even better, if it was already on your list, specify to buy the deal and not just the normal item.
If it is a non-perishable product, stock more so it will last until the next deal. For example toilet paper or your favorite shower gel. One month you will buy paper towels and the next month it will be toothpaste.
As I said before since I am aware of all the deals on certain products we like to use, I only buy them when there is a 50% deal, and buy enough so it lasts until the next deal.
But it takes time to realize that most of the deals come fewer times in a year.
Sometimes it can also give you good ideas for meals and that’s all good for you and your budget.
Have you ever looked at all the deals from all the different grocery stores?
2 – The list and how to stick to it
So, we have been through all these deals and now we have to take a look around the pantry, fridge, and freezer to know what else is missing. Of course, you also need to check if other products are missing, like cleaning products or pet food.
All you need to run your household is now written down on your list!
Because of the list, you won’t buy too much food or buy products you already have stocked. This way you will save money on groceries.
You are now leaving home to go to the grocery store. And this place is a heaven for the sinful shoppers we are. There is way too much of everything and it can be so overwhelming.
This is why you need to stick to the list.
How to stick to the list ?
The first real tip is to go after you ate a real meal, never go on an empty stomach.
The second is to not wander around the shop. I am sure you know where the stuff is, so just go for it. You will save time and it will be easier to stick to your list.
My struggle is to stick to the list when going food shopping. Some days I feel I want to wander around the shop and please myself or my family, and some others I’m doing fine with the list.
Unfortunately, there is no secret. You just have to be strong and just stick to what you decided you were going to buy.
If you come back home and realize you forgot something, it’s not a big deal. Just switch your meal plan or prepare it differently. And if you still need the product, write it down on your next list.
3 – Where and when to go
I was talking about grocery stores because most of us go to them for groceries. If you have a market nearby and the food is from the nearby farmers, you should absolutely go for it.
It’s all a matter of choice. Each of us has a different planning and organization.
We like going to different places to food shop because of the products we like to buy.
You have to find your perfect day(s) and place(s) to go food shopping. Please don’t feel that it is a chore. Find the motivation in the tasteful meals you will be preparing after tidying your groceries in your nice and organized pantry.
A simple advice is to go near the end of the day. Often they do bargains on some products because of the expiration date and the freshness of the product. This is also a great way to save money on groceries.
4 – Limit your expenses, have a groceries budget
By having a limit for your groceries, it helps to have control of your overall budget. By having a groceries budget, it helps you define a limit to your expenses.
I have explained how to determine a groceries budget in this post, so please take a look at it if yours isn’t done yet.
Having a limit is necessary to save money on groceries. Do trust me on this one, we have a groceries budget since we are married (I mean, since more than 12 years).
5 – Eating out habits
This one is a bit tricky. It is so simple to order meals or just hop out to grab some ready to eat food. This is a really bad habit that both cost quite some money and has an impact on your health. Let’s face it, we more often go for pizza or fast food eating in this case.
If you want to save money on groceries and this expense is part of your groceries budget (in fact even if it isn’t part of your budget) just try to kick it out. Cook more meals, bring your food to work, try to change this bad habit if you do it on a regular basis. Change your eating out habits to become a better you!
It will save you a bunch of money and will have a good impact on your health.
How do you manage your food and household shopping?
Do you have similar tricks to save money and make it more enjoyable?
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