So you want to save money on groceries – doesn't everyone? A trip to the grocery store – even for just a few kitchen staples – can add up quickly, but what if you're not a coupon cutter? Well, don't worry. There are still plenty of ways that you can cut that grocery bill significantly. Check them out:
1. Stop Shopping Every Day
If you're the type of shopper who visits your local grocery store every single day, or even every other day, now is the time to stop. By shopping every day rather than once every 2 weeks or once a month, you're losing money.
Try utilizing this frequency when shopping for the items you need. It allows you to shop in bulk, which saves money.
- Meats – once every 2 weeks to 1 month. Buy family packs and separate for freezing.
- Non-Perishable Food Items – once every 2 weeks to 1 month. This includes things like rice, pasta, canned foods, condiments, etc. These are also items you can buy in bulk to save money.
- Perishable Food Items – once every 1 week to 2 weeks. This includes things like milk, eggs, cheese, bread, etc. Buying these as-needed is fine; simply make a list as you run out of items and stick to that list at the store.
2. Purchase in Bulk
Speaking of purchasing in bulk, you probably didn't know that you can purchase many different types of things in bulk.
Visit your local butcher shop and ask about value packs of meat – this might include a variety of different meats sold together in a pack that is more economical than buying them separately. Purchase some freezer paper and Ziploc bags and you can separate your goods for each meal.
3. Walmart Savings Catcher & Price Matching
I don't know if you're a fan of shopping at Walmart. I personally do not shop there for meats or fresh foods (I prefer the quality of the items at a local grocery store instead), but if you do, then you should take advantage of the Walmart Savings Catcher. Simply download the app onto your phone or create an account and log in via your computer's internet browser.
Each time you visit Walmart, you can scan your receipt or enter the receipt information and Walmart will refund any price matches they missed during your visit to the store. So, if you purchased lettuce for $2.69 but a national store had it on sale for $1.50, Walmart will refund the $1.19 extra that you paid. You can use it online or in your local Walmart store.
I did this for just three months and had earned enough back to purchase a couple of cute home-decor items I had been looking at, so it's definitely worth it!
4. Plan Your Meals before Going Grocery Shopping
Many shoppers will plan their meals once they see the produce or other items that are on sale, which makes a lot of sense. However, if you're able to plan your meals before you visit the grocery store, you can save a lot of money.
For instance, if you plan to make chili on Tuesday, you can plan to make nachos on Thursday with the leftovers and you've gotten nearly two whole meals out of one – you just need to add the chips, cheese and veggies. Or, if you're planning to have ham with a yummy vegetable for dinner one night, save the leftovers and make a delicious ham quiche for lunch the next day.
Planning meals ahead of time also ensures that you purchase only what you need from the store – no more and no less.
With these tips, you can save money on your groceries, even if you don't want to spend time cutting coupons. What's your favorite tip for using leftovers? Let us know in the comments below!
