How to Shop Less and Save More at the Grocery Store

Food costs are predicted to rise by around 7% this year, so any way that you can save money on your grocery bills will be a big help. Shopping less will help you save more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• list
• money to purchase food
• kitchen
• determination

1. Make a plan to determine how often to grocery shop, and stick to it. Maybe once a week, or once every two weeks, whatever works best for you.
2. Make a detailed grocery list so that you won't run out of things every other day or so. If you estimate you use five loaves of bread a month, for example, then you need to buy enough bread to last until your next shopping trip, and freeze the one's you aren't yet using.
3. If you usually shop at several different stores, try sticking with one store per shopping trip for awhile. You can always go to the other store next time. This saves gas, which is also very expensive, as well as time.
4. Consider "making do" if you should run out of some item before you are scheduled for a grocery shopping trip. Unless it is an absolute emergency, most items can wait for a few days. Drink water instead of juice, should you run out of juice for example. It's better for you anyway, and cheaper.
5. One way to avoid constant grocery trips is to prepare several meals ahead in a bulk cooking fest, and freeze the extras for those times you are tired or just don't feel like cooking. This will help make sure you don't go to the grocery store before your scheduled trip.

Tips & Warnings

• Preparation and planning is crucial, so that you are prepared and have enough food in the house to last until your next shopping trip.
• It is hard to go shopping less often, if that is what you're used to. So go easy on yourself if you can't do it perfectly right away.