Grocery is probably one of the major categories of our monthly budget. We spend most of our money buying food and stuff at the supermarket. Still, one of the problems most people face is that we tend to spend beyond our budget limit every time we go grocery shopping despite the budget set aside for this category. The right supermarket shopping strategies can help you keep costs down. If you’re feeling sticker shock at the store, here’s some tips to save money on groceries :
1. Check what you already have and make a list
Some shoppers head to the grocery store without taking inventory of what they already have at home. Before you buy one too many loaves of bread or gallons of milk, check your refrigerator and pantry. Snap a picture of what you already have or make a list of what you know you’ll need.
2. Stick to your list
Creating a grocery shopping list will help you shop faster and more efficiently. Also, stick to your weekly or monthly grocery budget to avoid overspending. If you are so stubborn enough to stick with your budget, you should try the envelope budgeting method. This method encourages discipline and allows you to spend only the cash you need on your expenditures like groceries. Consider shopping alone so you can get in and out quickly, without kids lobbying for items not on the list or in your budget.
3. Pay attention to prices
Be cautious with the price posted on the supermarket racks for every item. It is not uncommon that what you thought is the price for an item is actually the other items’ price. And you will be surprised when you reach the cashier and the price posted is different from what you even thought. So better take a closer look and always recheck for the costs of the items you pick. You should actively assess the prices of the items you buy on a regular basis so you know when to pounce on a deal or pass. And watch out for shrinkflation, too, as well as total price — if the package size goes down but the price the same, you’re paying a higher unit cost.
4. Create a Meal Plan
Creating a meal plan for the week allows you to know ahead of time what to cook and what ingredients you need for your meals. In addition, this is a helpful strategy to make a list of the things you need to buy on the groceries. You can avoid waste and overspending by going to the grocery store with a list based on what you intend to cook for the week. If you want to know more about creating a meal plan, check out our other blog, “How To Make A Budget Meal Plan With 7 Easy Steps,” perfect for beginners.
5. Shop on a full stomach
This is an age-old tip for grocery shopping. Don’t let your cravings or hunger take control over you while you shop for groceries, for this will allow you to end up stacking snacks and foods on your cart that you don’t actually need or are not on the list, which results in unnecessary spending. So always have a full stomach before you go grocery shopping.
6. Buy generic products
We often thought that branded items are the only stuff with reliable quality, taste, or ingredients. Little did we know that some things under generic brands offer the same quality at an affordable price. So next time you shop, check out for items with generic brands, and you will be amazed how it will save you tons of bucks.
Also, it’s worth noting that many generic products are manufactured in the same facilities as your favorite name-brand products. In fact, some generic products are exactly the same as name-brands but with a smaller price tag.
7. Buy produce that is in season
Produce is more expensive when it’s out of season. Understand what product is in season and when, so you can enjoy fruits and vegetables when they’re tastiest and cheapest. This will not only helps you in budget friendly shopping but also maintain you health.
8. Compare prices across stores
If you’re lucky enough to have multiple grocery stores near you, compare products and prices across the board and shop where you find the best deals. It might not make sense to do too much running around to get all of your groceries, but perhaps a couple different days of the week can be reserved for visiting a couple of different stores. This will help you buy products that are cheaper
9. Always check for the expiry dates
Checking the “expiry dates” or “best before” of the items you plan to buy is a must, especially those on sale. I highly recommend selecting items with far expiry dates for it will allow you to have ample time to consume them (in which you won’t have to buy the same thing repeatedly) and prevent waste.
10. Be familiar with the supermarket layout
Being familiar with your favorite supermarket’s layout allows you to find the stuff on your list faster and prevents you from strolling around, which you might end up buying items that are not on your grocery list.
Use these tips the next time you go for grocery shopping and be amazed at how much money you can save. And, you can use the extra money to add to your savings, pay some debts or make investments.