How to Save Money at the Grocery Store
I’ve really made an effort over the past couple of months to cut down on my grocery budget. Everyone has a different idea of what’s reasonable to spend, but let’s just say I was spending way too much money on groceries, especially when you consider how often I receive free products to review. It was time to get things in order.
So I made a few of the usual changes, planning meals, packing lunches, but I did find a few things more helpful than others. I mean, we all know what we need to do… but it’s not that easy, now is it.
This is a sample of groceries for the week:
Stop trying to be perfect
You’re not going to pack your lunch every single day. You’re not always going to use all of your produce before it goes bad. Sometimes you’ll have to take an unplanned trip to the grocery store (oops, impulse buys!) it happens. But it’s not that big of a deal. Just like healthy eating, it’s about balance. If you forget to pack your lunch on Monday, don’t throw everything out the window for the rest of the week. Just pack it Tuesday.
If you don’t know what to do with it, don’t buy it
Eggplants are on sale? Awesome. But if you have no idea what to do with it, or you don’t really like it… don’t buy it. It’s like buying clothing because it’s on sale. You’ll always avoid it, you’ll let it sit in the fridge, and then eventually you’ll have to throw it out. This is where planning comes in handy. Think about what you could do with leftover ingredients. Think about new ways to revamp leftovers.
Be realistic with what you buy
Yes, dried beans are cheaper than canned, but are you really going to soak them overnight? Don’t get too ambitious, otherwise, you’ll just end up ordering take out. Keep in mind things like pre-cut vegetables (you know, the ones wrapped in plastic wrap) are way more expensive than veggies you’ll have to chop yourself. But sometimes things like pre-packaged/washed lettuce will make dinner come together much easier. Decide what you have time for, and plan accordingly. I personally love kale that is pre-cut and washed, but I don’t mind dicing my own peppers and onions. (They also keep a lot longer that way!)
Know what things cost
I’m not saying you need to go to every grocery store in town for the best price, but decide what is worth your money. I love certain things from the farmers market, so it’s worth it to me to pay a little bit more. Check out some of your staple grocery items and see if there is a store brand that costs a little less.
That said, in college, I lived of Kroger Carbmaster yogurt. It’s like $0.40 a cup. And it’s full of a bunch of random preservatives, chemicals, and flavorings. It’s worth it to me, to pay a little bit more for Greek yogurt that doesn’t contain things I can’t pronounce. Know what things cost and why you’re paying more or less.
What does all this mean? Well for me, I’ve basically cut my grocery spending in half this month, saving me about $150 bucks. That’s $150! That’s a lot of money, my friends. But I’ve still been able to cook dinner for friends, try out new recipes, and pick up my favorite local groceries at the farmer’s market.
Great tips, Liz! All of these are the grocery shopping rules I (try to) adhere to, too. I’m so impressed you were able to cut your budget in half – way to go and a budgeting inspiration for me as mine still ends up higher than I’d like!
As for additional tips I think it’s good to plan around your pantry: Look what you have and try to create meals [in your head] with these foods only buying additional ones if really needed – with the exception of fresh produce obviously. For me, this currently means I won’t buy any new grains or flours as I have too many opened bags already.
Coupons seem to be a great option for you lucky ones in the US, too. We don’t have any of those money-savers around here, unfortunately.
Planning around your pantry is such good advice!! I need to try using up some of the ingredients I’ve stocked up on (like bulgur, wheat berries, rice, etc!)
Great savings, Liz! Some of my tips are not to go to the grocery store with an empty stomach, budget for 1-2 splurge items (and stick to it!), and use coupons (every little bit adds up!).
I always save coupons and then never remember to USE them!
Woot woot great job on saving some mullah!! My issue is definitely buying things that I think look or sound good, and then never using them. I buy eggplants all the time but have not figured out how to cook them in a way that I like!!
GREAT advice. I think the best piece of wisdom is know your stores, and what things cost, as well as what you are willing to pay for. Will I shell out $8 for a organic watermelon at the fancy schmancy grocery store, when I know they are $4 at Kroger, and I’m cutting the rind off anyway? Heck no. But, do I want ‘clean’ yogurt? Absolutely. [Of course, that’s why I wait until it is on sale and buy 500 tubs of Chobani at once…]
Yes!!! I’m SO willing to pay for REAL ingredients! Love Chobani 🙂
I love this post! I personally buy in bulk when things I use daily are on sale like oats, milk or nuts/snack items. I also try to take advantage of coupons and combine them with the sale items!
we’ve been bad about this lately! I try and tell myself its okay since we never eat out and bring our lunches every day but we still have room for improvement!
I definitely have become more frugal in my foods. If I can buy the generic and it has the same ingredient lists, I will. Good tips!!
I try to make dishes in bulk and freeze them and I also try and use the mantra ‘use what you have’ instead of buying more things to try and make meals with. Both of these things have saved me a lot of money but it is so easy to just grab an extra thing here and there and think it won’t add up but it does.
Wow! 150 bucks?! That’s freakin’ awesome girlie! And I love your tips…I definitely tend to get a bit over-ambitious at times and then end up feeling super guilty later when things go bad on me! I’ve never been much of a budgeter, but like you, I’ve noticed that my grocery spending has gotten a little out of hand lately…here’s looking at YOU TJ Maxximus! 😉 Right now, I’m trying to focus on using up some of my pantry items before I commit to a full out grocery store visit. Plus, I’m planning on going to the farmer’s market this weekend so I’m hoping to get all the fresh fruit/veggies/eggs I need there and won’t have to visit the store for anything but almond milk!
My money-saving tip: Mambo Sprouts! One of the best online sources for natural food coupons! Love it!
Hah!! I love TJ Maxx! I’m trying to save my grocery money rather than see it as an excuse for shopping but… I can use a little of those savings, right?! 😉
I’ve been spending about $50 a month but am going to try to trim that down to $40. I need to get into making detailed meal plans for the week again so I can do as much with as little as possible!