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With the inflation rate at its highest percentage since 1982, the cost of food is putting a noticeable strain on our wallets these days. Here are some tips on how to save money on food.
Plan ahead
When saving money on groceries, it’s always of course best to plan ahead. Looking out for discounts on seasonal goods is also wise so you can stock up on the lowest prices. Make a menu and shopping list before you leave the house. When you go shopping as a family, let your children help you plan meals and find items, be it in the grocery store or scavenger hunt. Once you get to the store, stick to the list. Do not allow yourself room in the budget to break out the surprises.
Use food apps
Using food apps on a smartphone or tablet is also a great way to mark items you would like to buy instead of having to write everything down. Some grocery stores have apps you can use as well and allow you to save certain coupons to help you save money on your future grocery trip. Make sure to see if your store has an app. Also, you can skip walking in the store all together and pre-order on the app and have them deliver the groceries to your car. Another thing I found to be helpful is using grocery apps such as Instacart or Shipt to plan out what you want to buy for the week and have the groceries delivered to your home. You can get $10 off a Shipt membership here, which if you order on a regular basis, that will save you a lot There is a little extra fee and tipping of course, but think about the money your saving on gas, as well as not buying those last minute items you can’t resist. This Instacart link should get you $10 off your first order
Knowing when is the best day to shop
Knowing which days of the week your local store is lowering its prices on certain items is a smart tactic you can use to save even more. Checking out the ads is a helpful way to plan ahead. Also, look for discounted items past the expiration date. If the seller is unable to move the item before it reaches its sell-by date, it is thrown out and the business loses money.
Buy in bulk
This is when that Costco membership can come in handy. Buying meat in bulk can also save you money. If you buy meat once a week, freeze the protein for another week so that it does not spoil. To keep it on the healthy side, opt for 90% slimmer or leaner. Also, buying necessities such as toilet paper or paper towels in bulk can help you save more in the long run.
Try to avoid certain aisles
The inner corridors of the grocery store can derail your budget and, let’s face it, your diet. Try to stick to the outer edges of the store to find fresh fruit, vegetables, grains and beans. Look out for nutritious items and fresh, seasonal foods. For the spices you often use, consider buying them in bulk, where the price per ounce is cheaper and you can only buy what you need.
Stick to the list
It’s a good idea to stick to the list, and if your kids are begging you to add some items that aren’t healthy to the list, you might want to leave them at home. Or maybe it’s your spouse with the sweet tooth who may have to stay home from the grocery store. Try to use the food you already have before you buy at the grocery store. Put a list of food items in front of your fridge; this will help jog your memory. It is not necessary to waste food. If you have a ton of rice in the cupboard, look for recipes that contain them before you go to the store. Think of grocery shopping based on what’s in your pantry as your own challenge and see what you can earn without spending money. That could mean using brown rice instead of buying farro for a recipe, or using the ground meat you have in the freezer for chili.
Discount stores and using coupons
Buying non-food items such as detergent and garbage bags from a discount store can save you a ton of money. Make a trip to the dollar store for household cleaners, coffee filters, and even some food items like cereal or soup. Just make sure to read the label, and that the product is made in the USA. If you’re not a fan of the dollar store, then try looking through your local paper for manufacturer coupons. Check the prices and search for discounts on the items you have purchased. Buy what you need and can afford (3-for-1 is a good deal, but can you use all three?). In many stores, you can pair manufacturer vouchers with in-store deals found in grocery store newsletters.
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