In this article:
Grocery shopping is rarely the height of excitement. We all want to feed our families healthy food in a way that is affordable and convenient. The challenge is managing your grocery budget when food prices are continually increasing because of food inflation.
Let’s start by looking at some common grocery shopping myths.
1. Bulk shopping is more affordable
Some items make sense to buy in bulk, others don’t. If you bulk purchase items that won’t be used within the recommended time frame you risk throwing away food and money. If you buy too large of a size of a bulk item (think a 50lb bag of rice or flour) you also have to consider storage. It’s worthwhile to connect with friends to see if buying in bulk together is something that saves you money as a group.
2. Fresh is best
Many food items taste better the fresher they are, but that doesn’t mean that they have the most nutrition. Flash frozen fruits and vegetables can be more nutritious and tastier than fresh because there can be much less real-time aging from harvest to table. There may also be less waste because you only use what you need and can put the remainder back in the freezer. Frozen food can also help with grocery savings because it can be cheaper to distribute.
3. Generic foods are lower quality
Generic foods are often the same as name brand, even to the point of being made in the same facility with the same ingredients. This isn’t true of all generic brands or items. I recommend blind taste tests if you’re unsure if you’re willing to switch some food items to generic. Items used in multi-ingredient recipes are much less likely to be noticeable if you use generic brands, helping you stretch your food budget and reduce grocery expenses.
4. You should only go to the grocery store once a week
For many people, because of time or distance limitations, going to the grocery store once a week makes sense. For others, if they try to buy everything they need for the week at one time they end up over-buying, potentially creating waste, or under-buying so they still need to run to the store to pick up the items they missed.
5. Coupons and sales always save money
The biggest problem with coupons and sales is that they may encourage you to buy something you might not have otherwise purchased. If it isn’t something you typically use, you could end up with expensive groceries that you’ll eventually throw out. Coupons and sales can be a great opportunity to save money on groceries as long as you pay attention to the quantity of what you’re buying. Buy one, get one sales aren’t a great deal if you’ll only use one of the items before they expire.
6 Tips to help you save on groceries
It's important to remember that efficient and effective grocery shopping can look different for every family. Here are some general tips to help you cut down on your grocery costs and manage food inflation.
1. Take stock of what food you already have
Inventory your pantry and your freezer so that you know what you have on hand and what the expiration dates are. You might be surprised at the quantity and variety of what you already have at home.
Make sure to account for shelf stable items that you only buy periodically. Some spices are pricey but last for years. A can of good coffee may blow your budget for a week but lasts for an extended period of time and is much less expensive than visiting the coffee shop for a good cup.
2. Find a shopping method that works for you
For some people, having a list and a weekly (or monthly) meal plan helps them stay organized. Other people find this method restrictive and prefer to use the store sales to guide their menu. There is nothing wrong with either method, find what works best for you.
3. Be open to using replacement items
Think about substituting more affordable meats or mix proteins to lower your grocery bill. Pork recipes can also be made with chicken or turkey (they won’t taste the same but the preparation and recipes are similar). Substitute some of the ground beef in a recipe with ground turkey if that’s less expensive. Consider where less expensive items can be used as full or partial replacements in recipes.
4. Store your produce properly
Do you know if you’re storing your produce correctly? If you aren’t, you could be significantly shortening their life spans. Some fruits and vegetables are better stored at room temperature, some are better in the fridge. If you find yourself throwing out a lot of produce, try to figure out if you’re buying too much or storing it incorrectly.
5. Avoid dining out
When you compare how you’re spending against your grocery budget, make sure to include a comparison with your dining out expenses. If you start dining out less, your grocery spending will go up, but your overall spending will go down.
6. Plan ahead
It’s difficult to stay within your grocery budget when food prices are continually rising. Planning ahead for your trips to the grocery store can help you manage your grocery bill. The effort to better organize your grocery shopping to a manner that works best for you will pay off in dollars and cents.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article, including any references to companies or products, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for individualized financial and/or legal advice. We are not a credit repair organization as defined under federal or state law and we do not provide "credit repair" services or advice or assistance regarding "rebuilding" or "improving" your credit. We make no represent
