How to Lower Your Grocery Bill
1 Answer
How to Lower Your Grocery Bill
There are many people who shop for groceries carelessly; they enter the store without a list, then start grabbing items at random, whether they need them or not. When they reach the cashier, they’re surprised at how high their bill is. They end up spending a lot more than what they intended to.
Then, there are smart shoppers who plan their grocery spending carefully. They pick out items properly and manage their money well, so when they reach the cashier, they are contented with their grocery and how much they cost. You can be one of these smart buyers, if you follow a few tips.
Set A Realistic Budget
Even if you’ve got more than enough money alloted for groceries, isn’t it better if you only spend a reasonable part of it, then save up the rest? Setting a proper budget every time you go grocery shopping is a very good practice, because it pushes you to just stick with the basics. Every time you take a trip to the supermarket, just bring a little more than your set budget, to help you avoid buying impulsively.
Make A List
This is perhaps the golden rule when it comes to grocery shopping. Having a list not only makes you organized, but also allows you to set priorities and see which products you can cut back on. You also avoid being tempted into impulse-buying. Create a list of necessities and a few luxury items before going to the store, then study it carefully. Make sure it fits the budget you’ve set. Determine which items you can do without, to shorten the list.
Eat Before Shopping
Have you tried going to the grocery on an empty stomach? Chances are you spot various items that trigger your hunger, causing you to buy them at random. Tempting as they may be, you don’t need them. Have a bit to eat before shopping. Filling your stomach with food before filling out your grocery cart helps you avoid temptation.
Another rule: don’t bring the kids. Not only can they be playful in the grocery, they can start pointing and grabbing stuff you don’t need. Either you put up with their wailing, or you buy them those item, adding up to your bill.
Save Your Coupons
Although many people ignore them, coupons can actually save you a lot of cash when you’re out shopping. Find and clip out coupons for products you commonly buy, and bring them with you when you go out. These are often available in magazines and newspapers, and sometimes in websites.
Buy In Bulk
This might not make sense at first, but if you think about it in the long run, you’ll see that buying bigger stuff means spending less. It’s because the total cost of several smaller packages of a product is bigger compared to its bulk equivalent. They also take a long time to run out. For products like laundry detergent and household cleaners, opt for bulk-sized ones. You can also buy consumable goods in bulk, just as long as you know how to properly preserve them.
Base Your Menu On Store Sales
This works best if you live near a grocery store than runs sales every now and then, or every week. When you hear a store sale coming, browse the store’s fliers, then create a good menu based on the items on sale. If there is more than one store that runs these sales, get fliers for both of them, then decide which one has the better, lower prices.
Grow Your Food
If you’ve got a garden, you can use some of the space to plant your own veggies. Cucumbers, zucchini, onions, tomatoes and bell peppers are just a few examples of crops you can have in your backyard. Even simple herbs can be planted in small plants and placed at windowsills. Just make sure the food products you plant are put to good use.
The world is undergoing recession, meaning we have to tighten our belts a little and save our hard-earned money. One of the best ways to do this is by lowering grocery bills. Remember these simple, but effective tips whenever you’re out shopping.
There are many people who shop for groceries carelessly; they enter the store without a list, then start grabbing items at random, whether they need them or not. When they reach the cashier, they’re surprised at how high their bill is. They end up spending a lot more than what they intended to.
Then, there are smart shoppers who plan their grocery spending carefully. They pick out items properly and manage their money well, so when they reach the cashier, they are contented with their grocery and how much they cost. You can be one of these smart buyers, if you follow a few tips.
Set A Realistic Budget
Even if you’ve got more than enough money alloted for groceries, isn’t it better if you only spend a reasonable part of it, then save up the rest? Setting a proper budget every time you go grocery shopping is a very good practice, because it pushes you to just stick with the basics. Every time you take a trip to the supermarket, just bring a little more than your set budget, to help you avoid buying impulsively.
Make A List
This is perhaps the golden rule when it comes to grocery shopping. Having a list not only makes you organized, but also allows you to set priorities and see which products you can cut back on. You also avoid being tempted into impulse-buying. Create a list of necessities and a few luxury items before going to the store, then study it carefully. Make sure it fits the budget you’ve set. Determine which items you can do without, to shorten the list.
Eat Before Shopping
Have you tried going to the grocery on an empty stomach? Chances are you spot various items that trigger your hunger, causing you to buy them at random. Tempting as they may be, you don’t need them. Have a bit to eat before shopping. Filling your stomach with food before filling out your grocery cart helps you avoid temptation.
Another rule: don’t bring the kids. Not only can they be playful in the grocery, they can start pointing and grabbing stuff you don’t need. Either you put up with their wailing, or you buy them those item, adding up to your bill.
Save Your Coupons
Although many people ignore them, coupons can actually save you a lot of cash when you’re out shopping. Find and clip out coupons for products you commonly buy, and bring them with you when you go out. These are often available in magazines and newspapers, and sometimes in websites.
Buy In Bulk
This might not make sense at first, but if you think about it in the long run, you’ll see that buying bigger stuff means spending less. It’s because the total cost of several smaller packages of a product is bigger compared to its bulk equivalent. They also take a long time to run out. For products like laundry detergent and household cleaners, opt for bulk-sized ones. You can also buy consumable goods in bulk, just as long as you know how to properly preserve them.
Base Your Menu On Store Sales
This works best if you live near a grocery store than runs sales every now and then, or every week. When you hear a store sale coming, browse the store’s fliers, then create a good menu based on the items on sale. If there is more than one store that runs these sales, get fliers for both of them, then decide which one has the better, lower prices.
Grow Your Food
If you’ve got a garden, you can use some of the space to plant your own veggies. Cucumbers, zucchini, onions, tomatoes and bell peppers are just a few examples of crops you can have in your backyard. Even simple herbs can be planted in small plants and placed at windowsills. Just make sure the food products you plant are put to good use.
The world is undergoing recession, meaning we have to tighten our belts a little and save our hard-earned money. One of the best ways to do this is by lowering grocery bills. Remember these simple, but effective tips whenever you’re out shopping.