Christmas isn’t far away, and we could probably all use some help saving a bit more money. The first place you can start to adjust your budget is groceries. After all, that’s the easiest place to start because you can always take some shortcuts on your shopping.
There is a page on Idea Queen specifically for saving money on groceries, so I won’t repeat what’s already there. Instead, I want to hear YOUR best tips on saving money in the store. What have you done in the past to cut your bill down? Did you switch stores? Cut coupons? Switch to a cheaper brand? Let us know!
Post your tip here, or submit it using the form on the page that’s already there. We’ll be sure to give you full credit for your idea.
Can’t wait to see those ideas!
I absolutely switched stores. Found a better way to shop for safer products at wholesale prices. Obviously I still go to the grocery store so here are my tips:
1. ALWAYS have a shopping list - that way it’s harder to impulse shop
2. NEVER go shopping when you’re hungry or in a rush. You will either overbuy cause you’r hungry or forget something cause you’re in a hurry.
3. If at all possible, go alone (no kids) to avoid shopping for thier “wants”.
4. If at all possible shop for the entire week. Get your meals planned in advance and shop for everything all at once. Saves time, money and gas!
Hope that helps everyone!
I find that I save alot of money on groceries by using whole foods and making things myself rather than using processed, prepackaged stuff. Here are a few things that I do.
-Go to your local farmer’s market. It is so much cheaper than the grocery store AND fresher!
-Dry beans vs canned. They are very cheap and there are alot of beans in those bags. You can make the entire bag of beans and then freeze in small batches. Not only is this cheaper, but better for you - there is a lot of sodium in the canned beans.
-Rolled oats vs instant oatmeal. Same thing here, there are alot of servings in the container and you can just add your own fruit - fresh, frozen or canned. It really doesn’t take that much more time or effort and is much healthier.
I have about a million tips since I am proudly “Livin’ La Vida Cheapo” but one of my good grocery ones is to combine store coupons with manufacturer’s coupons for even more savings (or to get items for free!) Stores such as Walgreens and Super Target accept both store and manufacturer’s coupons for the same items. And Super Target even has an online coupon generator so you can print out as many as you want. Walgreens coupons can be found in the store circular and in the Easy Saver catalog each month. It really adds up for very little effort!!
I make a weekly menu using meats on sale listed in the weekly flyers if possible. I write down on my calendar the meat and vegetables for each night. Then I go through my cabinets and refrigerator and put only the items I need on my grocery list. Once I started the weekly menu system, my grocery bill went from about $125 a week (there are 6 of us) to about $85. I still have to go in the middle of weeks for more milk and bread, but overall it has cut my grocery bill down considerably.
There are several excellent strategies to saving money on groceries, depending on how you eat.
Regular, Processed Foods
If you eat commercially prepared foods, you can feed your family on pennies a day by taking advantage of coupons and refunds. By combining sales, manufacturer’s and store coupons, you can get items for free, or even get paid to take them.
On foods you cannot get free, like meats and produce, there are great organizations out there that serve the general public (not low income folks) like www.AngelFoodMinistries.com where you can get a box of meats and produce and other staples, worth $50-75, for only $25.
Healthy Foods
Unfortunately, those of us who choose to eat organic or health foods do not have the ability to acquire food so inexpensively.
But, there are options!
1. Organic Co-Ops
Check out your local organic coops. This is where multiple families get together to share a wholesale organic purchase, usually produce.
2. Community Supported Agriculture, CSA
Check out the local CSA in your area. This is where you purchase, in advance, a share of a farmer’s harvest. The food is healthy, fresh, and does not travel long distances so it can be ripened on the vine instead of picked early and artificially ripened.
3. Grow it Yourself
If you have the space, the most cost effective way to reduce your healthy food grocery bill is to grow/raise some food yourself. Victory gardens, herb gardens, fruit trees, chickens and even rabbits can be raised in a small location without a huge investment of money or time. You can even sell or barter excess foods.
No matter how you choose to eat, there are ways to cut down on your grocery bills. A few more tips:
–Menu plan
–Write out a list
–Shop alone (no hubby or kids)
–Do not grocery shop while hungry
–Take a certain amount of cash with you and leave your credit cards at home
These tips and more can be found on my site at:
http://www.stay-a-stay-at-home-mom.com/stretch-your-dollar.html
~Rayven Perkins