Now, more than ever, it is important to save money when doing your grocery shopping. It’s a challenge when you’re shopping for groceries on a budget. With less money to spare, you must ensure you get all your essentials on your shopping trip and, of course, it’s always nice to have some spare cash to treat yourself from time to time. Here are the top 10 ways to save money when grocery shopping!
Make a shopping list
This may sound like a simple step but it is very helpful. By creating a list of the essential items you need, you are less likely to buy other, less necessary items. Shopping lists help prevent you from impulse buying which, in turn, ensures you save money. You can put your list in various places such as the refrigerator meaning it is always visible and you can add to it whenever you need to.
Meal planning
This goes very well alongside the creation of a shopping list. By planning your meals each day, you know exactly what you need to buy and this also helps prevent any food waste meaning you don’t waste any money. To add to this, some supermarkets offer weekly discounts on different items so you can check for these online and possibly include them to your meal planning if any take your interest.
Cheap alternatives to brands
It should be well known now that may products are pretty much the same as others. The only differences are the name and, more importantly, the price. Almost all supermarkets offer an ‘own brand’ variant of another, already existing brand. These brands taste the same and sometimes even better than the original which means you are getting good quality for a cheaper price.
Shop on a full Stomach
Have you ever realised how difficult it is to go grocery shopping after eating a large meal? Use this to your advantage when shopping for groceries on a budget. Shopping on a full stomach means you don’t even want to think about food. You are more likely to only buy the essential items and ignore impulses for the likes of snacks and fizzy drinks.
Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk means buying large quantities of a particular item. By doing so, you are saving money compared to buying items little and often and also have a longer-lasting supply. It is a good idea to keep an eye on items which would normally make it onto your shopping list as, when they are discounted, it may be a good idea to buy larger quantities which helps you to save money in the future.
Use Coupons
Coupons are an amazing way to save money on a product or perhaps get some items for free. You can find coupons online by searching for different internet pages or some magazines and newspapers also offer coupons and discounts. In addition, some supermarkets such as Iceland and Tesco offer loyalty points systems which can be converted into coupons and discounts for your next grocery shop.
Stick to a Budget
This could possibly be considered the most important money-saving tip. When buying groceries on a budget, sticking to a strict budget means you simply can’t afford any unessential items. Budgeting means you go into the shop knowing exactly which items you need, how much they are going to be and how much money you are going to spend.
Choose the Right Time
Grocery shopping is all about strategy. If you pick the correct time to go, you are more likely to save money. For example, if you choose to go shopping in the evening time, some of the fresh produce will be discounted in order to make way for tomorrows products. This is the perfect time to swoop in and grab yourself a bargain or two.
Checked the reduced section
Most shops have a reduced section or, re colloquially known as ‘the sin bin’. In here, you can find various products, often meats and cheeses, which are close to their sell-by date. The reduced section of a supermarket is the perfect place to pick up some discounted food that you can go home and use in a meal that same day.
Shops to Use
Finally, there are some specific shops that are great value for money. For example, you can pick up 20 everyday items at B&M for around £31 while shops such as ALDI and LIDL are often £15 cheaper than Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
If you found this article helpful you might like to check out more of our articles on saving money.