You can cut down your grocery shopping costs by making a list before going to the supermarket or grocery store, using coupons, buying in bulk, and choosing smaller brands. You can also wait for sales for expensive items and look for seasonal produce.
You are not alone if you have noticed your grocery shopping costs increasing every month. As fuel price reaches a new high, almost all commodities show a price increase.
So if you are worried about your grocery bills getting out of hand, this article has some valuable tips that can save your money. Not only will these tips help you curb unnecessary spending, but they also keep your monthly budget in check. So keep reading!
Make a shopping list
Having a checklist of all necessary items prevents you from spending money on impulse purchases.
Shopping by a list minimises impulse buys. Before heading to the grocery store, check your fridge, kitchen, and pantry to see which supplies are running low. Then make a list and stick to it. Only visit the aisles in the grocery store that stock the items on your list.
Also, try saving money with once-a-month grocery shopping. Buy supplies, snacks, and drinks you will be consuming in a month and do not exceed the limit. It will help you keep your grocery budget in check.
Use coupons
Coupons are an excellent way of saving a great deal of money on your grocery bills. But you must gather a handful and use them at an appropriate time.
How to save money on groceries with coupons?
Sunday supermarket magazines usually give out grocery coupons and gift cards that you can use to save some money. However, the right trick is to keep hoarding them until you have a handful and then redeem them when a sale occurs.
Many supermarkets allow you to combine the sale discount and the coupon discount. This way, you can save more than half the price per unit.
And how to save money on groceries without coupons?
Use credit cards that offer discounts on your total bill at the check-out.
Eat simple meals
Eating simple meals with fewer ingredients and leftovers can significantly cut your grocery bill.
Not every dinner has to be a fancy rib-eye steak. Here’s how to save on groceries by eating low-key.
Try eating a simple meal on most days of the week, and reserve expensive feasts for weekends or occasions.
Look for recipes that require minimum ingredients and make do with the supplies you already have or do not cost a lot.
Also, incorporating leftovers in your meals saves the cost of fresh vegetables and usually results in delicious meals. Always keep an eye on supplies in the fridge and pantry, and do not let anything sit for long.
Buy in bulk
Flour, rice, sugar, salt, cheese, meat, and poultry can be bought in bulk and stored for a long time. Bulk buying usually costs less than the unit price.
You usually save 10-15% of the price per unit when you buy in bulk. Staples typically have an expiry date far into the future and are fit for long-term storage. You can purchase bulk items like flour, rice, and sugar and stockpile them in your pantry.
Similarly, if you have a large enough freezer, you can buy edibles like cheese, meat, and poultry that can be purchased in significant quantities and dump them in a freezer.
Switch to smaller brands
Generic brands usually charge more, while smaller brands have a more affordable pricing list for the same product.
Avoiding big-name brands is an excellent way to save money on your grocery bill. They are usually a posher alternative to their less famous, more affordable, smaller brands.
Most supermarkets stock identical products from different brands on the same shelf. Look for the brand that is offering lower prices.
Pro tip: People buy things from the shelf at their eye level. Supermarket stockers know this and fill mid-range shelves with the most expensive items. One of the best tips for saving money on groceries is to buy things off the lowest rack.
Wait for sales to buy expensive items
Saving money on grocery bills is all about being patient. If you are planning a fancy meal and require an expensive ingredient, wait till a supermarket has a sale.
How to cut grocery bills by 90%?
Many supermarkets hold sales once every few months. So it is a good idea to wait for one if you need to buy specialist ingredients (for a trifle for instance!). Also, a product that is on 20% off could go to 75% near Christmas. So ask yourself whether it is okay to wait instead of ruining your food budget when you could have saved in a discount store.
Buy seasonal produce
Mangoes are cheapest during summer and oranges during winter. Buying in-season produce helps save money.
Because of additional production costs, buying fresh fruits off-season will cost a lot more than buying them when they are in season. Plan your meals according to the season and the cheapest produce.
And if you have to buy an off-season product, try going for canned or preserved fruits and frozen vegetables since they cost less.
Questions & Answers
Which app gives the cheapest groceries?
Frugl Grocery is one of Australia’s most cost-efficient grocery listing and price comparison apps. It helps Aussies choose the cheapest products and cut down their grocery bills.
How can I spend $100 a week on groceries?
Plan only one weekly shop where you avoid buying expensive items. Instead, purchase ingredients to cook healthy food at home since it costs less.
What grocery store saves you the most money?
According to ALDI’s price report for 2022, the ALDI supermarket’s prices are at least 15% lesser than the market prices.
How do you spend money wisely on groceries?
Make a shopping list before going for groceries, use credit card discounts, and plan your household budget carefully to curb your grocery spending.
What is a reasonable grocery budget for 2?
The average grocery budget for a household of two in Australia is $145 per week.
How can I save money on groceries and eat healthily?
Prepare simple meals that include healthy ingredients. Avoiding sugar, for instance, can cut your monthly expenses and help make your body healthier.
Conclusion
An average Australian household of three spends $168 on groceries weekly. It adds to a significant amount when you compare it to monthly expenditure. If your grocery spending is also getting out of hand, now is the time to learn about grocery budget tips.
Eat healthily, wait for sales, avoid wasting, collect coupons, and buy seasonally. But if your household budget still gets out of hand every once in awhile, PressPay has your back!
We let you access a portion of your pay early, so your pantry never runs low on grocery essentials.
