Are you tired of spending a large part of your salary on grocery shopping? Well, you should be. Reports claim that the price of many groceries is increasing day by day. It is not less than a nightmare for tight-budget consumers. Fortunately, they can Reduce your grocery expenses by following some strategies, which we are about to present below.
1. Pre-planning
We know how hard it is to resist the temptation of grabbing a budget-breaking item that catches your eye suddenly. That’s how many people cross their budget and come back home with an empty wallet. Planning can save you from such unnecessary costs. Prepare a list of what and how much you need before heading to the grocery store. And most importantly, stick to your list.
2. Timing
Here is another smart move to save money on daily necessities. Prices are usually low when the retailers restock their shelves. They also offer discounts for unsold items. Also, remember that discounted products sell out pretty quickly. Try to go to stores right after opening to grab everything you want. Besides, some foods are sold at way cheaper rates right before they close the shops.
3. Cash payment
We are less likely to track expenses while paying with cards. If we have cash instead, we can easily count how much is left and what items we still have to buy with that amount. When the physical money runs out, we can’t get anything else, which makes us more conscious.
4. Compare various stores
Just because a grocery store is next to your home or the staff is friendly, doesn’t mean that they’re giving the best deals. A great place to compare deals is “ShipTheDeal.com“. If your favorite shop is charging more than usual, just visit other ones. Do the same if you have no idea about an item’s price. Compare the rate of several shops and choose the budget-friendly one.
5. Be creative with your meals
Take a glance at your fridge to check the items you already have. If you can spot a lot of unopened cans or boxes, it’s not a great time to stock up again. Think about which dishes you can prepare using them first. Feel free to make something new you haven’t tried yet.
6. Go local
Since local products are produced nearby, they are fresh, nutritious yet cheap. Getting them can help local suppliers and farmers as well. Contrarily, when you’re buying imported supplies, you are paying for the shipping fee, storage fee, import tax, etc. You can try foreign items occasionally but you should always prioritize local substitutes for regular shopping because they cost far less.
7. Use coupons
Coupons help us to get our essentials for less than their full price. Once you start shopping with them, you’ll see a rise in your savings. Nowadays, online coupons have been more popular than printed ones. All you have to do is find a trustworthy coupon software like Coupon Gizer and use it for purchases. Some namshi coupon codes can cut off your bill by 50% to 90%. So, guess how much you’ll be saving each year.
8. Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk lessens the charge of individual units as you don’t have to pay for additional packaging. However, you shouldn’t do it for all items. Only grab the products you need and you’ll use them before the expiry date. Eggs, diapers, tissues, cleansers, toiletries, protein bars, and nuts are some examples.
9. Don’t throw leftovers
Wasting food is the last thing you should do while you’re on a budget. Always store your leftovers in the freezer and use them for tomorrow’s meal preparation. You can reinvent them by mixing with fresh ingredients. For example, chicken pasta, fried rice, or soup can be easily made from yesterday’s chicken.
10. Dodge packaged goods
Some goodies arrive in both packaged and unpackaged forms, especially fruits and vegetables. Packaged ones are slightly more expensive and considered to be less healthy. Also, they take some extra moments to unpack. Switching to unpacked items will boost your savings in the long run.
11. Stay in season
Everybody knows that prices go down when the supply is high. Seasonal fruits, vegetables, and other groceries are produced or manufactured on a large scale during certain months. That’s why they are a lot cheaper, fresher, and tastier than off-season purchases. Hence, include items that are in season as much as you can.
Also read: 9 Common Excuses for Not Having a Personal Budget & How to Beat Them
