How to Save BIG on Your Grocery Bill

I know many of you have been reading this site for some time, but we have new readers all the time. I thought, especially now that the kids are back and school and with the holidays around the corner, now would be the perfect time to recap all of the ways I preach to save. So here they all in one easy place, so you can get back into the swing of things and start saving today!

So many of these ideas are super simple and can be implemented in minutes, but all of them will ultimately save you big time.

1. Cook from scratch. I know this one sounds amazing, but is often hard to implement with busy schedules. I get it, I’ve been there. But honestly, you pay for convenience in price and with your health. Processed foods contribute to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, etc. So, even if you can coupon yourself into rock bottom food prices, you will pay for it in the rear with doctor visits, etc.
2. Eat seasonally. If you take nothing else away from this article, this should be it. It’s really a simple tip, but it will lead to HUGE savings. Foods that are in season are at their lowest prices. Be wary though, because often a sale on a fruit or veggie does not mean it’s in season. If a store is touting strawberries on sale in January, know that their price might be a bit cheaper than all the stores around them, but at $2.99/lb, you won’t see prices anywhere near what they were in June.So buy in bulk when produce is in season, and can, freeze or preserve your bounty {or when it’s growing like crazy in your garden}.
3. Make a plan. What’s that saying, “those who fail to plan should plan to fail?” That’s so true. A simple plan will save some big bucks.This includes a list AND a meal plan. You already know that I am not great about meal planning, but I always have a list when I go to the store–and when I don’t, I pay for it! Also, meal plan with the ads in hand. Plan all of your weekly consumption around what is on sale {assuming the sale is actually a good price–see #2}.
4. Keep 10% of your monthly budget available for “stock-up items.” If you plan on spending $300 a month, keep $30 available for stock up purchases that you can make when you see rock bottom prices. For example, if you see butter on sale for $2.00/lb, it’s probably time to buy several pounds and freeze them. Having money set aside in your budget to make those kind of unplanned purchases really saves money later on.
5. Use coupons wisely. Coupons for cheese, yogurt, etc. are great when you can pair them up with store sales. This is just basic couponing 101. Don’t use coupons just because you have them–use them when they make the price competitive and worthwhile. The couponing game is a tempting one, but if you learn to play it wisely, it won’t play you.
6. Minimize waste by USING WHAT YOU HAVE. One of the easiest tips on this list. Although I’m occasionally guilty of wanting to try out a new recipe even though I have food in the pantry/freezer that I could use, shopping at home from your pantry and freezer is the fastest way to save money. Plain and simple.
7. Make freezer meals. You know those nights you are tempted to just throw your hands up and order a pizza because you have absolutely no desire to cook? Well, freezer meals to the rescue! You make them when you’re actually motivated and cook them when you’re not. You don’t have to sacrifice your health by getting a pre-packaged meal, or totally blow your budget by going out.
8. Buy in bulk. I’m not saying do all your shopping at Costco, because that’s a slippery slope between savings and overspending! But bulk buying can really save you money if you know what to look for.I love to buy spices in bulk from Winco. You seriously pay pennies on the dollar. I also buy my meat in bulk from Zaycon. It is great quality offered at wholesale prices. The catch is that I have to process and freeze most of it myself–but that actually works out okay, because I can make freezer meals as I go. It saves TONS of money over the year.
9. Shop alone. If I shop with anyone in my family {kids or the HH}, I always end up spending more and deviating from my list. But when I shop alone, I’m a woman on a mission. I know this is sometimes impossible, but shopping without the family really limits distractions {which leads to missed items and last minutes runs to the grocery store} and potentially throwing unplanned items into the cart.
10. Keep a designated “use first” area in your fridge. Keep all of the items that won’t last much longer in one area. Plan your weekly menu around these items first. This will cut down on food waste and help keep your budget low.

If that list is a bit overwhelming or totally different from how you currently shop, choose one or two tips and implement them today. Or go big or go home and try them all at once. Regardless of which method you choose, I promise you’ll see a reduction in your grocery bill almost immediately.

Happy Saving,

Mavis