Lowering your budget for necessities like food can be a great way to save money even after cutting out the nonessential bills. Here are some tips on how to save money on groceries.
| Key Points |
|
One of the best ways to save money is to create and continuously update your budget, looking for opportunities to save. Review your grocery budget to see how much you can realistically alter it to save money. You don’t have to change your grocery budget all at once—try decreasing it a little each trip until you reach the amount that works best for you.
How to Cut Grocery Bill by Sticking to a List
One of the best ways to cut your grocery bill is to make a list before you go and stick to it while you’re shopping. A list could help eliminate those unnecessary items that can raise your bill above your grocery budget.
You will need to plan your meals ahead of time in order to create your list, which could also help your general food budget as you may be less likely to order out when you already have a plan in place for dinner. Take inventory of your pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what you need before you put it on the list. You may not need to buy all of the ingredients!
Make it easier to stick to your list by:
- Eating before you go. You may be less likely to pick up extra items, especially snacks, if you shop while full.
- Utilizing grocery delivery or curbside pickup. If you’re not in the grocery store, you may be less likely to pick up extra items. Most grocery stores use marketing tactics to stock their shelves, enticing you to buy more than you planned.
- Avoiding unnecessary aisles. Stick only to the aisles you need when grocery shopping on a budget and you may be less likely to buy items that aren’t on the list.
When you make a list, you can also ensure your next grocery bill will stay within budget before you even get to the store. If you think you will go over budget this trip, replace a more expensive meal with a cheaper one.
How to Cut Grocery Bill with Coupons
Coupons can make grocery shopping on a budget much easier. Find coupons in the newspapers, circulars, and on the food items at the store to help stay within your grocery budget. Since you have a list, you will know which coupons you will need to save money on your groceries.
Make your coupons go even further to save you money on groceries with these tips:
- Take advantage of special coupon days. Some stores offer a special day of the week where the coupon can be multiplied to give you more bang for your buck.
- Sign up for rewards or download the store’s app. Your grocery store may offer coupons as rewards or even special coupons to reward members. Sign up for the rewards program or download the store’s app and you may save money on your next grocery bill.
- Double up on coupons. You could be able to use two coupons on the same item, depending on your grocery store.
- Use your coupon during sales. If you don’t need the item right away, save the coupon until there is a sale to save even more money.
How to Cut Grocery Bill without Coupons
Coupons aren’t the only way to save money on groceries and you most likely won’t be able to find one for each item on your list.
Use these tips to save money on the items for which you can’t find a coupon:
- Check for sales. Keep an eye out for sales and markdowns on basic food items like bread and milk that you know you will need in the future. Some products you may be able to freeze until you need them.
- Buy generic when you can. Generic and name-brand foods are often made of the same ingredients, but you pay more for the name-brand label.
- Keep per unit low. Cut meats and vegetables are usually more expensive because you’re paying for the convenience. Buying in bulk can also cut down on your bill, as long as you will eat all of the product before it expires.
If you are still having trouble making ends meet after cutting your grocery bill and are struggling with unsecured debt, give a Certified Debt Specialist a call at 866-481-1597 to discuss your best debt relief options or get a free savings estimate.
