We all know that saving on groceries is a pain. Yet it constitutes the bulk of our expenditure each week. This list has been compiled to help you save money on your grocery purchases.
- Make a list. It helps to stick to your budget, reduce annoying mid-week trips and cuts down on those impulsive buys.
- Plan your meals in advance, then shop to buy the ingredients for them.
- If you have kids, shop by yourself. Not only will you get some peace and quiet, you will save money by avoiding the kid-pestering factor.
- Eat before you shop. You spend more money when you are hungry.
- If you decide to taste the food freebies at the supermarket, make sure that you do not just end up purchasing the product that is being promoted unless you it was part of your shopping plan.
- Check out free stuff websites like FreeStuff4Free.com which can provide the latest savings in coupons and freebies. Some of these may help to save on your grocery list.
- Check out Coupons.com every week for savings on your usual grocery purchases. Sometimes you will be able to stack with in-store savings and get items for FREE.
- Work clockwise. A Choice report on supermarket tricks of the trade published earlier this year indicated consumers who travel in an anti-clockwise direction will spend on average, $2 more per trip than clockwise shoppers. Weird? Definitely but we can only go on the research!
- Beware of BOGO FREE promotions. Obviously these are used to suck you in. This is only good value if they are things you are or were going to use.
- Buy toilet paper when it’s on sale. Bulk buy and save heaps. Toilet paper does not have a use by date.
- Buy in-season fruit and vegetables. It is a supply and demand thing. If there’s more around, the price will be lower and the taste will be better too.
- Buy in bulk. The trick is to only purchase the things you use a lot or that last. So purchase 10 kilos of fresh meat probably isn’t the wisest move unless you live with ten giants.
- Add an extra meat-free meal to your weekly planning.
- Cut down on meat portions and eat more sides.
- Know the rough cost of things that you purchase. That way you will know if you have receive a genuine bargain.
- Don’t just watch Masterchef. Be one! Save money by becoming a better cook. Learn great recipes that are more affordable, for example recipes that use secondary cuts of meat.
- Cut your own vegetables. If someone else did it for you then you will pay for that privilege.
Use these tips to help give you significant savings that you can put towards debt reduction.