Eight Easy Ways to Save Money on Groceries for Your Family

The pandemic and shipping difficulties the last two years have lead to some of the highest inflation most of us have ever experienced. Our grocery bills are increasing monthly and we are paying more for milk, dairy, meat and more than ever before.

Many of us find that our grocery bill is frequently one of the most expensive bills we carry and this can be especially challenging during tough economic times. The good news is there are easy ways to save money on the food you buy at the supermarket, while still ensuring you have a well-balanced diet.

Ways to Save Money on Groceries

The following are five ways to save at the supermarket:

Plan your meals

Meal planning doesn’t need to be difficult and can often result in significant savings. If you find yourself unsure of what ingredients to add to your cart, consider using a list of groceries based on your weekly meal plan coupled with grocery store sales.

You can also make use of coupons for items like pasta sauce by purchasing them around the same time as canned tomatoes, which are usually more expensive during the winter months. Don’t miss our article on meal planning here.

Buy store brands rather than brand names

One easy way to save money on groceries is to buy store brands. Many major retailers produce generic versions of food products that taste just as good as their higher-priced counterparts. They are often made in the same factory and are the same product — just with different labels! This works well for household items as well such as cleaning supplies and toiletries.

Shop With a List

One of the easiest ways to save money when you shop is to plan your purchases ahead of time, using a list. By planning your shopping list in advance, it will allow you to strategically compare unit prices and take advantage of sales and special offers.

This is especially helpful when shopping with coupons, thus ensuring that you’re able to get what you want even while getting the best deal possible. A good way to ensure success is by creating a master grocery list that includes all of the items you normally purchase each week or month, then simply add any additional items based on your weekly meal plan. Be sure to check which supplies really need topping up and which can wait until your next trip so that you do not end up buying things you don’t need.

Don’t shop hungry.

When you’re hungry, it’s so easy to rush through the store grabbing frozen foods and snacks that will be gone in days (or even hours). Your body simply reacts better when hunger pangs aren’t screaming at you to grab what you don’t need.

It’s also easier to stick with your list when you’re full and not rushed and miserable. If possible, make one weekly trip instead of multiple trips throughout the week. This helps ensure that you do not make impulse purchases and instead stick to your list. You’ll also save time by avoiding extra trips to the store.

Make use of coupons and money saving apps

While you may be able to pay full price, why would you want to do so? Coupons and money saving apps can help you save big bucks, but only if you know how to use them effectively. Clipping coupons from the Sunday paper is no longer necessary in the digital age, and apps like Coupons.com, Fetch, Ibotta and more can help give you savings and cash back. We save several hundred dollars a month just by uploading receipts. It’s a great way to save money on groceries and other shopping as well.

Shop at Discount Stores

People don’t usually think of discount stores as places to get groceries, but if you know what items are on sale you can really stock up on some good food while saving money at the same time! You might also want to check out local shops or ethnic markets – smaller neighborhood stores typically have lower prices than bigger grocery stores.

My favorite discount store currently is Aldi. I get significant savings on milk, dairy, produce and more by buying many of our essentials at this store.

Buy in bulk

One of the most popular ways to save is simply by buying in bulk. This is especially relevant for food products that have long expiration dates, such as canned goods, cereal, and pasta sauces. This is where your online coupons come in.

If you know you need to purchase certain items on a regular basis, it’s a good idea to stock up during sales so that you have them on hand at all times but for a reasonable rate.

As a mom of teenagers, there are lots of items including sports drinks, canned soup and snacks that offer significant savings when I buy in larger quantities. Buying in bulk allows me to pay a lower price per item and helps me keep a supply on hand for my starving teens and their friends.

The coffee I buy is usually $5.99 a box. I recently found a sale where it was $0.75 a box. There was a long expiration date so I bought a dozen boxes. It was a great savings and I am stocked on coffee for months to come!

Buy frozen items instead of fresh

Many people assume that fresh fruits and vegetables are always healthier than their frozen counterparts but this isn’t necessarily true.

Frozen produce is often picked at its peak ripeness and then flash-frozen immediately, so it can retain more of its nutritional value and flavor than fresh produce that must be shipped across the country and allowed to sit in a store for many days before you even purchase it. Frozen produce can provide lots of nutrition and can be stored longer as well.

While frozen produce is great, be sure to take advantage of deals on fresh produce as well! I recently found strawberries and blueberries on sale for 25 cents a container and bought several of each. I washed the produce, put in freezer safe bags and put in the freezer to use in recipes and smoothies. It was a great deal!

Use these tips to save money on groceries and you’ll be surprised how much it adds up over time. Simple steps like buying in bulk, purchasing store brands, shopping at discount stores and using money saving apps can make a significant difference in your budget.

Do you have tips on saving money that we missed here? Leave a comment below! Do you have ideas for a time or money saving article? Let us know and we will see if we can make it happen.

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