Grocery shopping, in my opinion, is one of the best ways to start saving money, since it is something that even small changes can make big differences to your wallet, and you can implement these changes and see a difference right away. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind.
Do you feel like you're always stuck in a financial bind? Are you finding it difficult to make ends meet, especially when it comes to groceries? If so, don't worry – you're definitely not alone. In today's economy, it can be tough for anyone to stick to a budget, but that doesn't mean you have to give up on your dreams of saving money.
In fact, there are plenty of ways that families on a budget can save money while grocery shopping. Below, IVA Plan, share their top tips for families looking to save money on the weekly grocery shop. Through offering the latest debt solutions and providing free advice on everything from mortgages to credit card debt, IVA Plan help thousands each year. Find out more here: https://ivaplan.co.uk/
Check out the top tips below:
1. Make a list - and stick to it!
This may seem like an obvious one, but making a shopping list is essential to saving money at the grocery store. By having a list, you'll be less likely to make impulse purchases that can quickly add up.
2. Shop the perimeter.
The outer edges of the grocery store are typically where you'll find fresh produce, meat, and dairy - all items that you want to focus on purchasing. The inner aisles are generally filled with processed and packaged foods, which tend to be more expensive.
3. Compare prices.
One way to save money is to compare prices before you buy. This can be done easily by making a list of what you need and then checking the prices at different stores. You may be surprised to find that one store has much better prices than another. By taking the time to compare prices, you can save yourself a lot of money in the long run.
4. Use coupons.
If you don't already use coupons, now is the time to start! You can often find coupons in newspapers or online for groceries and other household items. If you use coupons wisely, you can significantly reduce your grocery bill.
5. Buy in bulk.
Buying in bulk can be a great way to save money, as long as you are only buying items that you will actually use. Items like rice, pasta, cereal, and other non-perishables are often cheaper when purchased in larger quantities. Just be sure to have enough storage space to keep all of your bulk items!
6. Plan your meals.
Planning out your meals ahead of time can help you save money in a few different ways. First, you'll know exactly what ingredients you need to purchase, which will help you make a more accurate grocery list. Second, you can take advantage of sales and discounts by planning your meals around items that are on sale.
7. Eat before you shop.
This may seem like an odd tip, but shopping while you're hungry is a surefire way to overspend. When you're hungry, everything looks good, and you're more likely to make impulse purchases. Eating a healthy snack before you go grocery shopping will help you resist the temptation of buying things you don't need.
8. Avoid pre-cut fruits and vegetables.
Pre-cut fruits and vegetables are often more expensive than their whole counterparts. If you're willing to do a little extra work, you can save money by buying whole fruits and vegetables and cutting them yourself.
9. Buy generic brands.
Generic or store brand items can be a great way to save money without sacrificing quality. In many cases, generic brands are just as good as their name-brand counterparts – but they're usually much cheaper. So next time you're grocery shopping, take a look at the store brand options and see if they'll work for you. You might be surprised at how much money you can save by making the switch to generic brands.
10. Use cash.
This may seem like an old-fashioned tip, but using cash can actually help you save money. When you use cash, you're more likely to be mindful of your spending and stick to your budget. Plus, it's much harder to overspend when you're physically handing over bills as opposed to swiping a card.
11. Take advantage of loyalty programs.
One way is to take advantage of loyalty programs offered by grocery stores. Many grocery stores offer loyalty programs that give members access to special discounts and offers. Often, all you need to do is present your card at the time of purchase to get the discount. If you do your grocery shopping at the same store every week, signing up for a loyalty program can help you save money on your groceries.
12. Shop around.
When it comes to grocery shopping, it's important to shop around and find the best deals. Some stores may be cheaper for certain items, so it's worth checking out a few different places before you do your big grocery shop. This can help you save money and stay within your budget.
By following these tips, you can save money on your weekly groceries and stretch your budget further. Just remember to be mindful of your spending and stick to your list, and you'll be well on your way to frugal success!
In fact, there are plenty of ways that families on a budget can save money while grocery shopping. Below, IVA Plan, share their top tips for families looking to save money on the weekly grocery shop. Through offering the latest debt solutions and providing free advice on everything from mortgages to credit card debt, IVA Plan help thousands each year. Find out more here: https://ivaplan.co.uk/
Check out the top tips below:
1. Make a list - and stick to it!
This may seem like an obvious one, but making a shopping list is essential to saving money at the grocery store. By having a list, you'll be less likely to make impulse purchases that can quickly add up.
2. Shop the perimeter.
The outer edges of the grocery store are typically where you'll find fresh produce, meat, and dairy - all items that you want to focus on purchasing. The inner aisles are generally filled with processed and packaged foods, which tend to be more expensive.
3. Compare prices.
One way to save money is to compare prices before you buy. This can be done easily by making a list of what you need and then checking the prices at different stores. You may be surprised to find that one store has much better prices than another. By taking the time to compare prices, you can save yourself a lot of money in the long run.
4. Use coupons.
If you don't already use coupons, now is the time to start! You can often find coupons in newspapers or online for groceries and other household items. If you use coupons wisely, you can significantly reduce your grocery bill.
5. Buy in bulk.
Buying in bulk can be a great way to save money, as long as you are only buying items that you will actually use. Items like rice, pasta, cereal, and other non-perishables are often cheaper when purchased in larger quantities. Just be sure to have enough storage space to keep all of your bulk items!
6. Plan your meals.
Planning out your meals ahead of time can help you save money in a few different ways. First, you'll know exactly what ingredients you need to purchase, which will help you make a more accurate grocery list. Second, you can take advantage of sales and discounts by planning your meals around items that are on sale.
7. Eat before you shop.
This may seem like an odd tip, but shopping while you're hungry is a surefire way to overspend. When you're hungry, everything looks good, and you're more likely to make impulse purchases. Eating a healthy snack before you go grocery shopping will help you resist the temptation of buying things you don't need.
8. Avoid pre-cut fruits and vegetables.
Pre-cut fruits and vegetables are often more expensive than their whole counterparts. If you're willing to do a little extra work, you can save money by buying whole fruits and vegetables and cutting them yourself.
9. Buy generic brands.
Generic or store brand items can be a great way to save money without sacrificing quality. In many cases, generic brands are just as good as their name-brand counterparts – but they're usually much cheaper. So next time you're grocery shopping, take a look at the store brand options and see if they'll work for you. You might be surprised at how much money you can save by making the switch to generic brands.
10. Use cash.
This may seem like an old-fashioned tip, but using cash can actually help you save money. When you use cash, you're more likely to be mindful of your spending and stick to your budget. Plus, it's much harder to overspend when you're physically handing over bills as opposed to swiping a card.
11. Take advantage of loyalty programs.
One way is to take advantage of loyalty programs offered by grocery stores. Many grocery stores offer loyalty programs that give members access to special discounts and offers. Often, all you need to do is present your card at the time of purchase to get the discount. If you do your grocery shopping at the same store every week, signing up for a loyalty program can help you save money on your groceries.
12. Shop around.
When it comes to grocery shopping, it's important to shop around and find the best deals. Some stores may be cheaper for certain items, so it's worth checking out a few different places before you do your big grocery shop. This can help you save money and stay within your budget.
By following these tips, you can save money on your weekly groceries and stretch your budget further. Just remember to be mindful of your spending and stick to your list, and you'll be well on your way to frugal success!