Save at checkout with these grocery shopping tips
Costs are up these days and one of the places many people feel it most is on their grocery bill. The average American household spent more than $9,000 a year on food in 2022, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, with almost $6,000 of that spent on food at home. With inflation driving food costs higher, here are a few tips to help you save on groceries.
Breakup with Brand Names
The easiest and most cost-efficient way to save money on groceries is to ditch the brand name products for what are commonly referred to as “generic brands.” These generic or store brands are often just private-label products. These products are often thought of as lower quality, but in most cases that is not true. In a 2022 Consumer Reports taste test, more than 76% of store-brand items were judged to be as good or better than the brand name items. Buying store brands instead of name brands can save you anywhere between 5 and 72 percent less per serving. So why the difference in price? That is because the store brands don’t spend millions of dollars on advertising. However, this doesn’t mean that you must give up all the brands that you love. Instead, consider switching out the name brand products that you don’t care as much about. Single ingredient products, such as salt, sugar and flour, that can be easily replaced with no real effect on taste are a good place to start.
Discounts
Coupons may seem tedious to collect, but the savings can be worth it. On average, coupons can save you nearly $40 a month, or $480 a year, according to CouponCabin.
There are many ways to collect coupons without having to physically clip them out. One way is to connect with your favorite brands on socials. Liking posts and following your favorite brands is a good way to receive exclusive offers and stay up to date on contests and giveaways. Look for free food samples in stores, since they often give out coupons at the same time. Even a quick internet search can land you coupon codes from grocery stores, as well as product from company websites.
Some stores offer membership cards that will allow you to take advantage of sales on specific goods in store. You should also make it a regular habit to check the sales section of the store and compare prices between products on the shelves instead of grabbing the first familiar item.
Stick to the List
When going to the grocery store, it is important to remember that the store is designed to get you to buy more than you need. Try to limit impulsive purchases or buying product that you don’t really need by creating your grocery list ahead of time. Then, do your best to avoid buying anything not on your list while in the store.
You’ve probably heard that you shouldn’t go to the grocery store on an empty stomach. There is some truth to this. If you eat before shopping, you may be less likely to give into cravings as you pass by the bakery or the snack aisle.
When building your shopping list, consider planning meals around fruits and vegetables that are in season for your region. This can help reduce costs, as can opting for frozen or canned produce, according to the USDA.
If you must dine out…
It can be enjoyable to have a meal at a restaurant to celebrate with friends or family, but eating out too often can run up your food bill fast. Instead, try to limit yourself to a certain number of restaurant meals each month, or set a maximum dollar amount you can spend on takeout and restaurants without disrupting your budget. Don’t be afraid to let your friends know when you’ve reached your limit for the month—offer to a host a potluck at your house instead.
Conclusion
While you can’t control grocery prices, you can control what you buy. By shopping store brands, using coupons and sticking to your list each time you shop, you can save on your grocery bill without giving up your favorite foods.