It happens all the time. We go into the grocery store with a set budget. But when we get to the cash register the number we see on the register often doesn’t match the budget we set. But there are ways to make sure that number is lower than our spending budget.
Here are 19 hacks that will save you money on your grocery bills:
1) Switch to Kosher Salt
Switch to kosher salt instead of table salt. The crystals are a lot bigger so you’ll only need a tiny pinch. This will last you longer than table salt will.
2) Walk Through Aisles You Don’t Use
If you know you don’t need anything in the pet or baby aisle, but you should go down it anyway. You can use these aisles for easy access to the aisles you need to get to. Going down these aisles can also help you to skip aisles that tempt you like the candy aisle.
3) Make Friends With The Butcher
Tougher meats are less expensive than tender meats. But not if you’re friends with the butcher. Ask them to run it through the tenderizer.
4) Buy A Chicken Whole
You can make lots more meals out of buying a whole chicken than buying one in pieces. You can cut through chicken breast bones with kitchen shears, then go up the backbone, then cut your halves in half again. Then cut off the wings and the legs.
5) Shop Less Often
Stretching time in between grocery trips means you’re saving money. Try to go every two weeks instead of one week. You’ll start to get creative by making your food last longer and using up stuff you have hanging around.
6) Stretch Gourmet Coffee
High-quality coffee can be significantly pricier than lower grade coffee. But you can save money on this cost without sacrificing taste so much. Just combine one part of gourmet coffee with one part of a less expensive brands.
7) Limit None Per Customer
Sometimes when we see a “limit six per customer, we automatically stock up. Stores know that we’ll buy more if we think there is a shortage. Usually, there isn’t and buying so many of one product might not be cost effective. Make sure you check to see if it’s cost effective for you to by as much as the limit allows.
8) Flip Your Cottage Cheese
Do you feel like your cottage cheese is always turning quickly? Well, there is a way you can prevent it from spoiling so soon. Just store the container upside down.
9) Watch the Register
People and computers make errors. Don’t let errors jack up the price of your groceries. Make sure you keep an eye on the register to make sure the scanning is coming up with the best price and that your cashier isn’t double scanning by accident.
10) Shop Farmer’s Markets Late In the Day
The best time to hit up the farmer’s market is late in the day. This is because farmers don’t want to haul back unsold produce. They are more likely to cut a deal with you at this time.
11) Layer Them Coupons and Sales
You can double up on savings with coupons. Use manufacturer coupons on items that are already on sale to multiply your savings. Some place will even double your coupon!
12) Forget the Bottled Water
Bottle water is wasteful in so many ways. It wastes money and plastic. Buy the large jugs of water and buy a reusable water bottle.
13) Look for Coupons Online
Don’t just go by what your grocery store flyer is offering. There are lots of websites that offer coupons. You can search the product name and coupon, as well as check the manufacturer’s website.
14) Read the Ads
Grocery stores constantly have sales that change from week to week. Sometimes you can only the get saving if you clip out coupons from their ads. It’s also worth it to study the circulars and ads and to concoct your weekly meal plan from the items you see.
15) Get An Extra Newspaper
The Sunday paper can be a gold mine to grocery shoppers. It can come chock full of high-value coupons. So, it might be worth it to get an extra paper.
16) Shop the Store Perimeter
The perimeter of the store is where you’ll want to shop for food essentials like produce, meat, dairy, and bread. The middle is filled with prepared and processed foods that cost more. This is healthier AND cheaper for you
17) Don’t Go For the “Specials”
Grocery stores will have “specials” and offer a sale price offering, let’s say, 10 yogurts for $5. Don’t fall for this. You don’t have to buy 10, you’ll still get one for $.50 each.
18) Do the Math
Make sure you have your calculating brain when you go grocery shopping. You have to make sure you’re compairing price per pound, or ounce, or pint. This will ensure you’re saving the most money as you can.
19) Observe Selling Patterns
Grocery stores will often have sales that occur in a pattern. So, they’ll have bread on sale every third week of the month. If you learn these patterns, you’ll know when to double up on coupons and can alter your menus accordingly.
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