We all need to eat, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re looking for ways to feed your family without breaking the bank, keep reading for 7 great tips to save money on your groceries. 1. Clipping coupons is still cool.
You can still save big by clipping coupons, whether out of your local flyers or manufacturer’s advertisements in magazines or local newspapers. Clip merely four 50-cent coupons a week and you’ve just saved over a hundred dollars this year.
2. Stock up on pantry items.
If a brand or product you love is on sale and isn’t perishable, stock up now. Just remember that you already have 10 cans of your favorite pasta sauce before you buy more the next time you go out grocery shopping.
3. Take stock before you shop.
Like the last tip suggests, it’s important to know what you already have before you head to the grocery store. You’ll avoid doubling up on items and you’ll also get an idea of what your family is and isn’t eating. For example, stop buying asparagus if you’ve failed to eat it for the last three months.
4. Go with a plan.
One of the best ways to save money at the grocery store is to go with a concrete plan of what you need. It takes a lot of work, but planning out your menu for the week means you’ll go shopping like a chef, with a clear idea of what you need and exactly how much you’ll spend.
Once you have your menu, post it on a cupboard door to remind you each night.
5. Buy a whole chicken.
A whole chicken can often be had for as little as $5.00. This one chicken, once roasted, can mean chicken breasts for dinner, chicken sandwiches for lunch, chicken soup for the next night’s dinner and chicken salad a few days later. You’ll be amazed by how far you can stretch a chicken dollar.
6. Make your own.
Almost always it’s cheaper to buy your own basic ingredients than any pre-made item. For example, making your own pie crust would cost you pennies in flour and butter, while a pre-made pie crust can run as high as $4.
7. Buy in bulk.
Age-old advice, but buying in bulk works. You pay less because you’re paying for less packaging, shipping and handling costs. If you know your family loves salsa, then you may as well pay $5.00 for a gallon than $4.00 for a pint.