Are your grocery bills too high every month? Ever wondered what you can do to cut down your spend? Well, thanks to the guys at Cashlady, here is a helpful list of the 10 best ways to save money on groceries.
1. Use coupons
Coupons are a great way to save a few pennies. There are always lots of offers available on a whole range of popular brands. When you use them across a variety of products you’ll soon notice how much money it will save each month.
2. Lookout for deals
You’ll always find plenty of bargains in any large supermarket. Buy-one-get-one-free, 3 for 2, or buy one and get another half price. They’re great for toiletries that will keep for a long time and mean you cut back on shopping bills too.
3. Shop monthly
Shopping monthly allows for better planning. The more times you are instore ordering, the more likely you are to buy impulsively. Shopping once a month also allows you to budget your overall outgoings much more effectively.
4. Buy the essentials
Impulse buys can quickly add up on your bill. Have a list ready and stick to what you need. Make your purchases and get out of the store as quickly as possible. The longer you linger, the more likely it is you will buy products you didn’t plan to.
5. Go store brand
You’d be surprised to learn that store branded products often contain many of the same ingredients as branded items. Packaging goes a long to convincing us which product to buy, but you will save a lot of money by choosing store branded items instead.
6. Calculate as you go
Most people have a mobile to hand that features a calculator. Adding up each item as you drop them into your trolley will keep you updated about your spend. It stops you getting a shock at the till when the final amount pops up after everything has been scanned.
7. Look for alternative products
Supermarkets spend a lot of time and effort designing where every shelf and product should go. Many of the most expensive items are placed at eye level. Look above and below to see if there are alternatives that offer a better price.
8. Buy fresh foods
Prepared foods make live easy because there is no preparation required. However, they also cost a lot more than fresh food. When you buy your own ingredients, it may take longer to make, but you get more meals and save a considerable amount of money.
9. Don’t shop on an empty stomach
Many people go shopping after work and before eating dinner. It’s easy to get hungry when faced with so many food options. Research shows that shopping when hungry leads to buying expensive, high-calorie foods that could be avoided by shopping on the weekend.
10. Leave your children at home!
This isn’t always possible, but if you can, not only will it be more peaceful and allow you to get it done quicker, it will also save you money! Kids often want to buy food you don’t need and without them by your side, you don’t have to worry about saying no anymore.