9 Tips to Save More Money on Groceries

Meat is one of the more expensive items you can buy at a grocery store. Cut down the amount of meat you eat in a week, instead incorporate other types of protein like beans and nuts to lower your grocery bill.

Seasonal produce can often be sourced more locally, rather than trucking in out-of-season fruits and veggies from a far location. This cuts down production and transportation costs, making in-season produce less expensive.

There are many coupons out there that you can take advantage of, from manufacturer coupons from your favorite brands to grocery store coupons that can help you save on name-brand and generic goods and even produce. Check your favorite brands’ websites for coupons, and consider signing up to receive coupons in the mail or on an app for your usual grocery stores. You can also check your local newspaper for coupons.

Buying bulk goods doesn’t have to mean buying bulk quantities. But buying from bulk bins can help you save by 1) allowing you to buy only what you need and 2) spending a lower cost, because the food isn’t coming with the added costs for packaging and branding. Bring and weigh your own reusable containers to avoid any added costs.

Meal planning can help keep you from overbuying products at the store. Instead, you can make a menu of what your household will eat for the upcoming week and make a grocery list based on the meal plan. Make sure to stick to your grocery list to avoid buying things you don’t need.

Sometimes, it’s easy to go to the grocery store with the best intentions of sticking to a budget. But prices fluctuate, and you may find yourself surprised by the final bill when everything is scanned. Plan ahead by checking prices of items on your grocery list on the store’s website or app. If something is more expensive than you’re able or willing to pay, shop around at other stores to see if you can find a better deal.

Just like your favorite clothing retailer, many grocery stores offer clearance deals on items that are overstocked or close to their expiration dates. Look around for clearance sales and manager specials to save even more money. Just make sure to consider expiration dates, and use up or freeze items before they go bad.

Sometimes, pre-cut veggies or shredded cheeses are a must. But if you are able to or have the time to do some prep work, try buying whole products instead. These tend to cost less because you are not paying more for the convenience factor. Schedule some time to pre-chop fruits and veggies or shred whole blocks of cheese to use up for the week.

While you may see a lower price on one product, you could be getting a better value on a larger size of the same product. Check the price tag to compare prices per unit, because you could end up spending less in the long-run by paying a little more upfront for more product.