How to Save Money on Groceries

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By Terria Fleming
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Save Money on Groceries

Groceries prices are very high right now, and predicted to go even higher, but we still have to shop for food and eat, so what's the solution? Shop smarter and learn some grocery shopping tips for saving money on food.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

money to buy food
a list
a place to store food
stove
refrigerator/freezer

Step 1

The first step for saving money at the grocery store is to get a good estimate for what you're spending for food right now. Do not include eating out or non-food products in your grocery budget. Then, once you know what you spend every month right now, figure out how much you think you can reasonably cut that figure. For example, say you now spend $400.00 a month on food, with just a little planning, you could probably cut that figure down to, say, $250.00 per month.
For those of you who are already spending less than this, you'll have to work a bit harder on saving more. This article is primarily written for the family who is just deciding to eat more thriftily and needs some ideas to help them with that.
Step 2

Make a grocery list of what you are currently out of, or are running low on, and of what you usually eat every month.
For example, some families drink a lot of milk, while some people never drink milk. Tailor your list for you and what you like to eat.
Then always grocery shop with your list. When you have what is on your list, stop shopping. (Unless you see a really big sale on something you eat often, then stock up while it's on sale.)
Don't shop while hungry, and leave the kids at home if at all possible. They always ask for something, and you don't need that right now. Shop alone if you can.
Step 3

veggies are delicious too!

If you are a family that eats meat learn to buy the bigger sized packages of meat, and repackage them into one-meal-sized portions at home. The bigger family-sized portions of meat are usually cheaper per pound (though not always so check this), and it only takes a moment to put a few chicken pieces in a zip-lock sandwich bag, and then wrap that in aluminum foil, and put these smaller packages of meat in your freezer. The same goes for hamburger, buy a large package and repackage it into a meal size portion, then freeze these for later.
Step 4

Eat less meat, period. Meat is an expensive item, and on a budget you need to cut down on the expensive items. Think of meat more as a condiment than the main dish, and you'll get the idea. Instead of a whole chicken for one meal, stil-fry a couple of pieces of chicken, deboned and cut up, and seasoned to taste. That's what the Chinese have been doing for centuries to stretch meat, and it is a delicious dinner, even though the meat may be skimpy compared to what you are used to. Think tacos, and wraps, and casseroles, all using less meat per meal, and you get the concept here.
Step 5

Consider at least one meatless dinner a week. That's not as hard as it sounds, as most people already do that to some extent. There's cheese pizza, macaroni and cheese, bean and cheese burritos, salads, vegetable soups, and pasta dishes for a start.
Step 6

Avoid low-nutrient foods like soda pop, candy, potato chips, and things like that. They are all very expensive, and deliver very little of the nutrients a person needs.
Step 7

Add fresh vegetables and fresh fruits to your menus and use more fruits and vegetables for snack foods. A sliced fresh peach or a crunchy raw carrot is much better for you, (and they are delicious too,) than a bag of cheetos.
Step 8

Buy store brands and save. They are almost always just as good as the more expensive "name" brands.
Step 9

Eat more legumes. Beans are a very good food for the budget because there are so many different ways you can prepare them. Your local library probably has a bean cook book you can check out, if you need some ideas. And don't forget lentils, and the other legumes too.
Step 10

Drink more water, and drink less soda, tea, coffee, juices or milk. It's a lot better for your health to drink water, and it's much cheaper too.
Step 11

Buy some foods in bulk, like beans and rice, and stock your own food pantry. If you can't afford much, then put aside $10.00 a month just for foods to add to your food storage. Food bought now will save you money later, because prices are going up whether we like it or not.
Step 12

Make it yourself. Stop using convenience foods and mixes that you can learn to make yourself. Get a cookbook from the library if need be, but learn how to make your favorite convenience meals and mixes. You'll save a bundle doing this.

Comments

botticelli728 said

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on 8/27/2009 Excellent tips! 5*

Cherst1031 said

on 8/6/2008 Great ideas! Remember, lentils don't even have to be soaked like other legumes. I definitely agree about saving the leftovers for lunches - why order out ($) or buy deli meats and rolls when you can have your own lovingly cooked leftovers :)