Just because you have to eat doesn’t mean your finances need to starve! If you’re looking for ways to cut your grocery bill, then these are the tips you’ll need.
I get it. Grocery shopping can be expensive. Next to a mortgage, it can add up as one of the things a family spends the most on each year.
Although it can be tricky, you can eat healthy without spending a ton of money. The trick is to think healthy and stick mainly to the things you truly need to get. Understanding how food fits into your monthly budget will help you minimize how much you plan to spend.
Here are six proven formulas that can help you to cut down your grocery bill and save more money each month.
1. Check for Upcoming Sales
Try to gather all the information on sales for grocery stores in your local area. Follow the local newspaper ads or check out their websites. If a particular ingredient is on sale, think about stocking it and make your meal plans with it for the next few days. The ratio of an item coming on sale follows a six-to-eight week cycle, so keep one thing in mind that an item coming on sale will not appear in sale for the next two months. Make a solid plan to catch up all the upcoming sales of your area.
2. Don’t Be Afraid of Getting Generic Products
Brand names are not everything. You might be in favor of buying a particular brand when it comes to grocery shopping. But sometimes this tendency can work as a hindrance in the path of saving money for the future. Buying generic brands at a low price will help keep your monthly budget planning in check. Don’t forget to check the ingredients before buying them.
3. Know When to Shop
Knowing the best times to go buy the things you really need is a great way to stay away from those all the stuff they “want” you to buy. Wednesdays are the great options to buy things at half price because the store wants to move them out. Keep in mind that this is not necessarily mean that you’re buying items of lower quality. If its on your list and you’re going to use it soon, then you’re going to be okay.
4. More Fruits and Vegetables
Being a carnivore species, we human beings are less comfortable in spending our lives without fish or meat. But its going to cost you! Lower your grocery bills by adding more vegetables and fruits in your meal. Not only will this shorten your monthly expenses, but this technique will also help you to stay more fit and healthy. By introducing your family to this diet plan you can also encourage them to participate in a weight lose program.
5. Experiment in Small Quantities
If you are someone who likes to keep on experimenting with different kinds of foods, youu should definitely consider trying new items in small quantities. This technique will help you to find out whether you like it or not. This procedure is also helpful in making you understand the need of including that particular food item in your regular meal plans.
6. Shop Alone
Grocery shopping may be boring, but its better to do it by yourself. When you’re alone, you can concentrate on your list and pick up the necessary items by yourself without distraction. . For example, if you have a kid and you are planning to go out for a shopping with him, you are going to be in for a challenge. They will likely tease and ask for junk food as most kids like to do. Instead, hit the aisles alone and stick to the list while buying the necessary goods from the grocery shops to make yourself tension free.
Bonus: Want even more great tips? Check out these additional 23 ways to save more money on your groceries.
Author Bio: Passion for helping people to make solid financial decisions motivated Tina to start her own personal finance blog, where she writes about personal finance, money management tips and frugality. She is also the community manager at the finance guest post community.
Featured image courtesy of Fiverr
You save money on fruits and vegetables, as long as your spouse doesn’t buy organic, like my wife. It’s also a good idea to not shop while hungry, people tend to buy more. Good Read!