It's a fact, we have to eat if we want to stay alive. Especially in the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic, groceries aren't cheap by any means, plus we are dealing with the 'shrinkflation'.
Let's see how we can make the grocery bill a bit lighter. Here are a number of suggestions that will help us do just that.
- Never go shopping when you're hungry. When shopping while hungry, we are tempted to buy a whole lot more. It's a fact and I'm sure we've all done it. Eating a full meal just before a shopping trip will keep the excess snacks out of the cart.
- Use a grocery list and stick to it. Using a list has more than one advantage. You also don't risk forgetting anything and having to go back. Simply put it on the list when you run low on something. The fridge door is a good place to hang the list. Once you enter the store, armed with your list, stick to what is on the list. If it's not on there, you most likely don't need it. I'd make an exception for items that are on sale though. See later in this article.
- Limit grocery shopping to once a week at the very most. Here is why: The more often you go grocery shopping, the more you will end up buying. I'll give you an example. I love a good avocado and I'll buy one every time I go shopping. If I go shopping once a week, I will have bought 4 of them in a month but should I go grocery shopping twice a week, I'd be buying 8 of them and spending twice as much. We all have a fridge and a freezer, no doubt. So I find that shopping even once a week is a lot. Less is better here.
- Take advantage of items on sale. If you see something that's on sale, go for it, even if it's not on your list. This is an exception to the 'stick to your list' rule. However, do not be tempted. Only buy things on sale that you normally would buy and eat anyway. Don't buy something just because it's on sale. Also, check the expiration dates. Sometimes things might go on sale when they are about to go out of date.
- Make use of coupons. Many stores offer coupons. Make use of them. Just yesterday I bought a gallon of water for .99 cents, it is normally $1.24 at that particular store.
Some stores offer BOGO (Buy One Get One Free). Make use of it when it's something you normally buy and use.
- Always go to the same store(s). If you always go to the same stores for your grocery shopping, you will know where everything is. If you go to a store that you're not familiar with, you will have to search for items you need, and you're bound to find and purchase a few things that you could have lived without.
- Buy in bulk where possible. Buying a large quantity is usually cheaper.
However, make very sure to compare the prices because I've actually seen situations where the bulk packaging was actually more expensive than the non-bulk version, so always compare the prices.
- Don't forget your reusable bags. I don't know if all states no longer give free plastic grocery bags or how it works in other countries but here in New York State the grocery stores are no longer allowed to give out those flimsy plastic grocery bags. The shopper has to bring the bags or buy reusable bags. Make sure you always bring your own bags, or you might be tempted to buy some.
Thanks for reading and if you have more tips to save on grocery shopping feel free to leave them in a comment and I'll add them :)
