Food can be a huge expense, especially when you do not have a lot of money or you are on a fixed budget. A lot of times it feels like I do not even know how I am going to go to the grocery store. And with the rising price of gas, can I even afford to drive to the grocery store in the first place? Here are a few tips to cut some costs on the food bill when you are retired.
I think the best way to save some money when you are on a fixed income is to buy in bulk. If it is something that you frequently use, stock up on it. Either if it is on sale, or purchase it at a wholesaler, such as Sam’s Club or Costco. These two places cost a annual fee to join, while if you shop there frequently, the savings will be greater.
I like to shop the sales at my local grocery store. Again, if it is something I use often, I will stock up on it. Sometimes I will plan my weekly meals around what is on sale. If you have a local Walmart Supercenter or Neighborhood Market, I find that their prices are cheaper than some of the grocery stores. You might want to check them out for even deeper discounts.
Buy a Sunday paper and clip some coupons. I am a big coupon clipper and though you may only save a few pennies, though few pennies add up to big bucks at the end of the year! You can use a retailers coupon and a branded coupon on the same product, which can help. Also check with your local grocery store to see if they offer double coupon day. This would be a day to go in and shop because all of your coupons are worth double!
Stock up on certain food items when they are on sale. As long as they do not expire soon, this is a great way to save money. The best part about stocking up is that you will find you shop less often, which will save on gas as well.
Buy produce more often when it is in season. Fruits and vegetables can get really expensive during the winter months, and it does not even taste as good as it does in the summer. During the cold months when you cannot find cheaper produce, buy frozen. You can also grow a garden in the warmer months and can some of the items to use all year round.
It can be really tough when you are on a fixed budget to come up with enough money to buy groceries. But if you shop the sales often and use coupons and buy in bulk, you can save a bundle!