Groceries are getting more and more expensive every day. You get to the checkout line only to find that you spent double or even triple what you thought you would spend! It is so easy to go over your budget when you go to the grocery store, but we have some amazing tips that will help you save money and still get the delicious groceries you need. Keep reading and learn how to fill your cart with food and not go completely broke.
Never Shop Without a Game Plan
Walking into a grocery store without a plan is like going into battle without armor. You're going to get destroyed by impulse buys and overpriced snacks. If you want to save serious cash, you need a grocery list and also a strategy.
Make a meal plan for the week (yes! The whole week!) and choose recipes that use overlapping ingredients so nothing goes to waste. Once you have your meal plan, use it to write a detailed shopping list. Check your pantry to see if you already have items on your list and cross them off. This will prevent you from buying something you already have (you don't need three bottles of soy sauce).
Once you get to the store, stick to your list and your plan like your budget depends on it (because it does). When you only buy what you need and what you will actually use, you will be a grocery store winner!
Shop Seasonal & Local for Maximum Freshness and Savings
Have you ever noticed how strawberries cost a fortune in the winter but are cheap and juicy in the summer? That's because seasonal produce is always cheaper and it also tastes better too. This is exactly why you should always try to shop seasonally and locally if possible.
Try shopping at local farmers' markets, where they often have better prices than big grocery chains (plus, you're supporting local farmers!). Consider freezing extra produce and saving it for later. If you find a great deal on berries, buy them in bulk and freeze them for smoothies, oatmeal, or baking later.
Google "seasonal produce chart [your location]" to find out what's in the season near you. Then, try to plan your meals and your shopping around what's available. You'll get better food and also save money.
Buy in Bulk—But Only the Right Things
Buying in bulk can definitely save you lots of money, but only if you're smart about it. A 10-pound bag of flour may be something you'll use a great deal, but a giant tub of mayo you'll never finish and will go bad? Not so much.
Try to stock up on non-perishables like rice, pasta, dried beans, canned goods, and baking essentials. These are worth buying in bulk as they will keep well in your pantry. Grab good deals on bulk meats and then freeze them. If chicken or ground beef is on sale, buy a bunch and then divide it into smaller, meal-sized portions that you can freeze for later.
Just try to avoid bulk-buying perishables unless you have a plan. That 5-pound bag of spinach will turn into green slime if you don't eat it fast enough.
Embrace Store Brands—They're Just as Good (Sometimes Even Better!)
If you're still buying name-brand everything, you're literally paying extra for a fancy label. Many store-brand products are made by the same manufacturers as the big-name versions, but they cost way less.
Try the store brand first, and if you like it, stick with it and save some cash. Some of the best store-brand swaps are oatmeal, pasta, canned goods, dairy, and frozen veggies, as they are usually identical to the name-brand versions. You can always read ingredient labels and compare the store brand to the name brand. Some store brands are actually higher quality because they have fewer additives!
Use Your Freezer Like a Money-Saving Machine
Your freezer isn't just for ice cubes, ice cream and mystery leftovers, but it's also your best weapon against food waste and overspending.
Always freeze your leftovers and consider freezing foods in individual portions for easy meals later. You can also save fresh herbs before they go bad. Just chop them up, put them in an ice cube tray, pour olive oil into each cube, and freeze. Instant flavor bombs!
You can even freeze bread before it goes stale, then defrost slices as needed, and never waste bread again.
You can really freeze almost anything! Cheese, milk, cooked grains, and even eggs (crack them into an ice cube tray first!). Freezing foods will save you money and prevent your foods from spoiling and ending up in the trash.
Don't Fear Discount Stores and Clearance Aisles
You don't have to shop at Whole Foods to eat well. Discount grocery stores and clearance racks are treasure troves for cheap, high-quality food.
Check clearance sections first. Many stores discount items close to their sell-by date, which is perfect if you plan to eat or freeze them quickly. Look for the manager's specials on meat. Grocery stores mark down meat daily, and you can buy it, freeze it, and save big. Sell-by dates are often guidelines, not hard rules, and many foods (especially dairy, eggs, and dry goods) are perfectly fine past the date on the label. Look up what foods are good past the sell-by-date and learn how to save money on foods that others may pass right by.
You can see that saving money on groceries doesn't mean sacrificing quality. You can eat fresh, delicious, high-quality meals while still sticking to a budget and your grocery list. Now, go forth and conquer the grocery aisles!
This article was first published at Spatula Desserts.
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