Top Five Tips for Money-Smart Grocery Shopping
Food shopping is necessary. We all have to eat! We can only wish we didn’t have to eat as frequently so that it’s easier to save money. But we all know that’s impossible, and grocery store bills can soar, especially if you’re not conscious with your spending.
Here are five proven ways to save money while you’re grocery shopping:
1. Get the multipacks.
Most things are cheaper when bought in bulk. Pasta, rice, dried beans nuts and grains, and even some fruits and veggies are just some of the common examples. When at the store, look for those bulk or multipack special deals that can help you save some cash.
2. Look for sales in catalogs.
A lot of grocery stores and food shops have monthly or weekly catalogs that feature what items are on sale. The Coop catalog is one example, and it can tell you which particular products can offer you some savings. In fact, you can make the Coop catalog your partner whenever you do some grocery shopping.
3. Get your meals all planned out before you shop.
That Coop catalog can help you shop more wisely, but it’s not going to work if you don’t have a plan. Se before driving to the store, have your menu all prepared. Look online for recipes that are good but not expensive. Planning your meals lets you plan around the food items which are on sale.
Again, you can go back ato your Coop catalog for this. Another great thing about planning your meals is that it lets you avoid overbuying or buying things you don’t really need.
Every year, food wastes in the U.S. amount to about $165 million. Wasted food equals wasted money.
4. Collect coupons.
After listing down the items you need to buy at the store, start hunting for coupons for those things. You can clip them from newspapers and magazines or get them from some mobile apps. Aside from the Coop catalog, coupons also come in handy for anyone who wants to save some cash. It’s important to take advantage of all these money-saving opportunities if you want to be smart about food shopping.
5. Focus on food.
If you’re at the grocery stop to shop for food, stay with food and forget the others. For instance, you may be tempted to pick up toiletries, but they’re usually less expensive at a specialty store or pharmacy. This may not be an issue if you’re not shopping on a budget, but otherwise, it’s always wise to stick to the plan.