Considering the rising cost of foods, saving money while grocery shopping has become an art in itself. It is hard to get what you need when shopping on a budget, or is it? Most of us want to save money, and a lot of us can do it well. However, anyone who likes to pinch a dime knows that you can never learn enough. Read this article for tips for grocery shopping on a budget.
1. Avoid Buying More
One of the biggest tips for grocery shopping on a budget is to always remember to avoid shopping while you’re hungry. Everything looks good when you are ready to eat, so this will cause you to buy food that you don’t need. Always write a grocery list before you leave and try not to stray from it. Even if you have more money, try taking a limited amount to the store and leave your bankcard at home. This will make you compromise with yourself about what you want and what you really need. If you don’t have enough money for what you want, try trading another item you don’t need out for it. Making kids practice this can also save you money. So, make a limit to what they can ask for, and give them the option of putting that item back for something else. Finally, coupons do count. Clipping them, planning what you’ll buy, and shopping around in grocery ads before you go to the store can make a big difference.
2. Things to Do at Home
You don’t want to add up very many extra hassles, but there are things that you can do at home to help with your grocery bill. For example, bagging small portions of chips will not only keep family members from over-eating them, but also make them last longer. Slicing cheese or shredding cheese yourself can save you tons of cash. Along those same lines, buying pre-cubed, pre-pounded, or pre-seasoned meat is a big waste of money. You’re paying for a convenience, which really would only take a few minutes of your time. When buying meat, look for specials and buy in bulk. When you buy a larger package of meat, it is usually proportionately less expensive. You can then take it home and separate it into smaller, meal-sized portions. Also, try to find ways to adapt the recipes you find with cheaper ingredients. Spices in particular can cost you a lot and can be substituted easily.
3. Other Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget
– Use more side dishes, such as vegetables, beans, or fruit. This will not only save you money on meat, but is much healthier anyway.
– Buy produce that is seasonally available. For example, don’t buy watermelons during the winter.
– Buying from farmers markets and farm stands will help you keep from buying the wrong produce. They also have the flexibility to offer you some really great deals.
– Don’t sacrifice your family’s health by buying cheaper snack food items. However, don’t buy a lot of foods that they won’t eat either.
– Discourage overeating at home. Tell your children to get what they know they will eat and come back later if they want more.
– Encourage physical activity. This keeps your family from mindlessly snacking in front of the TV, for example. It also encourages a healthier lifestyle, and as it saves money and thus can be considered as one of the tips for grocery shopping on a budget.
If you want more tips and grocery news, visit Grocery.com.