Work Smarter Not Harder: How to Get the Most Out of Your Grocery Shopping

Shopping for groceries is supposed to help people fill their empty cabinets. Unfortunately, grocery shopping tends to create an entirely different problem- an empty wallet. However, feeding a family does not have to put a debilitating dent in a budget. By practicing a few simple tricks, shoppers can save themselves time and money.

Shop the Sale Cycles/ Use Coupons

Grocery stores have items on sale every day of the year. The key to saving money is to take advantage of those deals. Shoppers should get into the habit of checking weekly advertisements for products that can be used in the near or distant future. This will allow them to avoid making last-minute purchases at higher prices.

Coupons are another tool that shoppers can use to stretch their budgets. The key to smart couponing is to only use coupons for products that will actually be used. A few minutes of coupon clipping each week will gradually lead to more savings.

Meal Planning

Spending too much time in the grocery store places shoppers in a position to buy impulsively. A simple solution for this issue is to create a weekly shopping list based on a meal plan. This list should take into account any items that are already available for use. If possible, shoppers should also aim to buy items that can be used for more than one meal. By sticking to the list, shoppers will spend less of their time and money.

Buy in Bulk

One might assume that buying a large quantity of an item would cost more than simply purchasing a smaller amount. However, experienced shoppers know that this is not the case. More often than not, buying items in bulk will bring down the overall cost of a product. With the use of elementary division, shoppers can compare prices based on the units in each package. Aside from the financial savings, buying in bulk will save shoppers a few trips to the store.

Buy Store Brands

There used to be a time in which it was considered taboo to buy generic groceries. However, that time has long passed. It’s fairly common knowledge that store-brand food items are actually produced by the same companies that make the name-brand products. Shoppers can still get a reliable product for a fraction of the price.

Canned/Frozen/Dried Goods

The only major downside to buying perishables is that they can actually perish. Families end up throwing out hundreds of dollars worth of spoiled food every year. Purchasing frozen, dried and canned goods is a great way for families to get the most for their money.

For additional convenience, many of these items can be purchased online. Websites like My Food Supply provide quality products at prices that rival those of regular stores. 

Getting the most out of grocery shopping does not have to mean eating a diet of Top Ramen and frozen pizzas. By making a few adjustments to their shopping habits, you can get the most out of your grocery shopping and still serve your family healthy meals without emptying your wallet in the process.