You don’t need to be a coupon queen to save money at the grocery store. Here are some useful tips to help cut your grocery bill big time!
Make a List
First and foremost, start with a list. Going to the grocery store without a plan of attack is a sure-fire way to spend money on things you don’t need. Spend just a few minutes before heading out doing an inventory of what basics you need so you don’t double up on things you may already have.
Meal Plan
Figure out what meals you will be eating at home and plan ahead. Buy staple ingredients that can be used in multiple recipes, especially if they are pricier. Soups and stews are generally made on the cheap and taste even better the next day. Which brings us to our next tip.
Eat Your Leftovers
The biggest waste of money is not eating your leftovers. It’s literally like throwing money down the drain! Leftover soups and casserole reheat perfectly the next day for lunch, and many leftovers can be repurposed into entirely new meals.
Check out some of our leftover-remix recipes:
Ham Fried Rice with Pineapple
Pot Roast Soup
Chicken Chili Stew
Don’t Shop Hungry
Ok, so you’ve made a list, picked out a menu, and even thought about leftovers. Now, here’s a big tip: DON’T SHOP HUNGRY! Impulse buys can really throw you off your budget game, and more times than not, they are driven by hunger. Plus, sugary, processed snack foods can be very expensive. So have an apple before shopping, and keep away from the snack aisle.
Eat Seasonally
A very simple and easy way to save money on your grocery bill is to shop for seasonal and local produce, which is often much less expensive than the out-of-season tomatoes that are being shipped in from South America and other far-off places (which is bad for both your wallet and the environment). A good tip is to buy fruits and vegetables when in-season and preserve them by either canning or freezing.
Start a Garden
If you have some of your own outdoor space, why not grow your own vegetables? Even a small plot can yield a great harvest, and there’s no cheaper way to eat than by growing your own. Gardening is also a great stress reliever. Paula loves gardening with the grandkids and uses it as an opportunity to teach them about nutrition.
Buy Store Brands
Store brands are often the same ingredients and quality of brand name items, just without the fancy logo. Why pay for the marketing of a product—just buy the product!
Trim the Meat
Meat is often the most expensive item in your grocery cart. Cutting back even once a week will not only help our wallets, but also improve our health. Of course, easier said than done, so try less expensive cuts of meat like flank steak, oxtails, brisket, pork shoulder, or chicken thighs. These cuts are extremely flavorful when cooked low and slow.
What’s your favorite tip for savings? Tell us in the comments below!
