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Groceries can take up a large portion of a family’s budget
With an average family of four spending around $800 a month on groceries. Add in extras for allergies, special diets, celebrations and the costs get higher. Purchasing groceries for your family shouldn’t break the budget.
Learn 21 ways to cut the costs and save money on groceries. These are simple tips you can start today to save money on your grocery expenses. One tip may save you a few dollars, two or three tips may save you hundreds. You can learn what we did to save over $1000 a month, it made a world of difference in our budget.
21 ways to save hundreds on groceries:
1. Shop with a list
Don’t leave home without your list! Granted I am sure your memory is great but without a list, impulse items are sure to make their way into your grocery cart. Besides without a list there is always that one item you really needed and forgot to buy.
2. Do not shop hungry
Everything looks ten times better when your hungry even that over priced, processed meal you normally wouldn’t buy. If you have to shop before dinner grab a snack first or order your groceries online and save the temptation.
3. Did you know you can have your groceries delivered right to your door?
All your favorite stuff:
- Coffee
- Pasta
- Chips
- Pastries
- And So Much More
Why go shopping when you can have all your favorites delivered right to your door and usually for way less than the grocery store price. If you have an Amazon Prime Account (if not, get a free 30-Day trial right here), plus you can save even more money by using their Subscribe & Save Program. I use this program to save extra money on diapers, formula and so much more.
Save even more money on all your Amazon and other online purchases with Rakuten. Try Rakuten and receive a $10 gift my treat.
4. Shop alone
I don’t know about you but when my family comes along to the grocery store there is for sure a few extra items landing in my buggy. It maybe an extra bag of chips, or a toy or an extra case of something for that event planned for the weekend. Ah, I can just see the dollar signs add up for unnecessary groceries.
5. Drink more water
Skip the pop and the juice, drink more water. The kind from the tap if you can it’s free. Save the $2.00 a bottle and invest in a reusable stainless steel water bottle. They keep the water colder and don’t create the waste that plastic bottles do.
6. Are you looking for an easy way to save money while you shop?
Start saving money in seconds! Ibotta is a free app that pays you to shop. It’s simple and super easy to use. Shop, click and save. You can download the app right here and get $10 free just to start. No clipping coupons or shopping sales, just shop for the items on your list and start saving.
7. Skip it and save
Meat can be expensive even when you are going with the cheapest cuts. Opt for a vegetarian meal once or twice a week. A simple meal of beans and rice can save you hundreds a month on groceries. Checkout these great recipe books for vegetarian meal ideas.
8. Do you want to learn how to cut your grocery budget in half?
The average family spends a lot of money on groceries and a portion of it goes to waste. Learn some great money saving tricks with The Grocery Budget Workshop. Like how to cut your grocery budget in half and still eat well.
Try This Amazing Money Saving Meal Plan
9. Shop in bulk
Save money by purchasing in bulk. Purchase the volume of goods you need, divide them up and save. You can have all your favorite bulk items delivered right to your door and usually for way less than the grocery store price. If you have an Amazon Prime Account (if not, get a free 30-Day trial right here), plus you can save even more money by using their Subscribe & Save Program.
Save even more money on all your Amazon and other online purchases with Rakuten. Try Rakuten and receive a $10 gift my treat.
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10. Start eating more meals at home
Skip the dining out and the drive thru dash. Or the ordering in, start cooking a home cooked meal. It doesn’t have to be difficult, simple 5 ingredient dishes.
You can save hundreds by cooking your meals at home. Need some inspiration? Try $5 Meal Plan for free for 14 days.
11. Skip the pre-cut produce and slice your own
It looks great, it’s already sliced and portioned out but it costs twice what the regular produce does. Save yourself the money and slice your own vegetables and fruit.
12. Grow your own
Growing your own produce, even something as simple as a few herbs and salad greens can help cut down on your grocery budget. Seeds, dirt, some old buckets all cost pennies in relation to the money the home grown produce will save you.
13. Preserve the bounty of the season
Whether you are growing your own vegetables or have access to a great farmers market preserving the bounty of the season will save you money. Which is cheaper freezing strawberries in June or grocery shopping for fresh strawberries in December? Learn all the things you can freeze to help you save money.
14. Stockpile beans, rice and dry goods
Stockpiling anything when it goes on sale is a good money saving choice. But keeping a good supply of dry goods is a great choice as well. Beans and rice are great frugal meal staples, flour also gives you a variety of baking and meal related choices. You can have all of these delivered right to your door if you have an Amazon Prime Account (if not, get a free 30-Day trial right here), plus you can save even more money by using their Subscribe & Save Program.
15. Skip the prepackaged and choose healthy alternatives
You always hear how expensive it is to eat healthy but not really. Yes, if you are purchasing prepackaged meals, gluten free breads and desserts. But if you are purchasing vegetables, rice, beans, fruit and cheap cuts of meat you can do it on a budget and eat healthy. You can even have all of these delivered right to your door if you have an Amazon Prime Account (if not, get a free 30-Day trial right here), plus you can save even more money (15%) by using their Subscribe & Save Program.
Save even more money on all your Amazon and other online purchases with Rakuten. Try Rakuten and receive a $10 gift my treat.
16. Start cooking from scratch
Skip the premade, prepackaged, precut, order out food and start cooking from scratch. Think about it for a family of four take out might run you $60 -$80 for full meals. That sixty to eighty dollars could feed your family for a week. And I’m not talking difficult meals either. Chicken tacos, roast beef, sliders and so much more. Spending a bit of time in the kitchen can save you a lot of money in the long run. If you are struggling to find meal ideas checkout $5 Meal Plan for free for 14 days.
17. Skip the brand names and go generic
We all have out favorite brands whether it be pizza or salad dressing and everything in between. Your go to shopping choices, the items you know to buy every few weeks. But what if you could save an extra $25+ a shopping trip by trying something new. Swap up to the items on sale or going for the generic brand or choosing the cheaper cut of meat. Choose the best option for your budget, you may even like your new choice.
18. Coffee – anything is possible with enough coffee
But if you are a Keurig lover, cup for cup it really isn’t that cost effective. So how do you make your favorite beverage of the day easy on the pocket book? Start with reusable coffee pods and fill them with your favorite coffee. Another great tip is to buy the whole beans and grind them at home you can do this in your blender or food processor. Keep your options open when it comes to coffee, you taste buds may surprise you. The cheaper blend may be your first choice.
19. Don’t forget the freezer
Yes, fresh produce is great but frozen produce can save you a ton of money and it stores well.
20. Checkout the markdowns, clearance and sale items
Stores will mark down items that are just about to expire and they can be a huge savings. Mark downs on meat, produce and dry goods can mean great savings and great meals. Note that most if these items will need to be cooked as soon as possible or frozen for later use.
21. Make friends with your local farmer
You can save a ton of money buying local and purchasing in quantity. Locally we can purchase sections of meat and the butcher will prepare them as requested. By purchasing a 1/4 cow or 1/2 pig you are saving pound for pound and getting the cuts you need. Purchasing produce directly from the farm saves you the middle man and the mark up.
Updated February 25, 2020
