Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
With food prices rising and inflation remains concerning, families are seeking ways to reduce their grocery bills. Young Americans share money-saving strategies to help others cope with rising costs.
Market research shows grocery store inflation continues to impact household budgets significantly. Experts advise planning carefully and checking pantry inventory before shopping. The following tips can help manage these rising costs:
Make a shopping list and meal plan. Decide on the meals and snacks you’d like to have for the week, and create a list that only includes the necessary ingredients. Sticking to the list can help you avoid impulse purchases.
Shop alone if you can. Impulse buying can be one of the costliest habits at the grocery store. Shopping with others may increase the likelihood you’ll buy something on a whim.
Shop on the quietest days of the week. When you’re in a busy store, it can be more difficult to take a good look at the selection and find particular brands or sizes that are most cost effective. It might take some trial and error to determine the slower times at the store, but once you’ve figured it out, stick with that time.
Swap ingredients for less expensive options. Consider swapping your meat choice or vegetable choice for a lower-cost options. Depending on your dish, you may be able to swap out a certain vegetable for one that is in season and cheaper.
Buy generic products. There’s no denying that brand-name products are more expensive than their generic counterparts. While saving an extra $2 or $3 may not seem like much, saving a few extra bucks on 20 items can add up.
Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store. Many people buy household products at the grocery store without realizing how much they’re likely overpaying for those items. You often can find hygiene products for less at places such as Walmart or Target.
Stick to the store’s perimeter. Generally, the aisles in the center of the supermarket contain processed foods, which tend to be pricey, while the outer walls are where you often will find things such as fruits, vegetables and other unprocessed foods that can be more cost effective.
Pay with a grocery rewards card. Grocery rewards credit cards offer cash back or points on purchases at the supermarket. Getting a little bit back from each shopping trip will help offset the costs of inflation.
Use a calculator while shopping. This can be especially helpful if you’re sticking to a strict budget. Keeping track of your ongoing tally can help when trying to decide whether to buy something that wasn’t originally on your list.
Shop sales. Be sure to check your local newspaper circulars, store apps and a store’s website to know what’s on sale and when. It can pay to plan your menu based on what’s currently on sale.
Join grocery store loyalty programs. Plenty of grocery stores have loyalty programs you can sign up for that will earn you points and send you coupons, often integrated into the store’s app. A lot of stores will also have discounts specifically for loyalty members as well.
Take advantage of curbside pickup. If you’re too tempted to overspend in the store, shop ahead on your store’s website or mobile app. Many stores let you choose between picking up your order curbside or having it delivered. You may find curbside pickup to be more cost-effective, because delivery fees can be expensive.
Buy items in bulk and freeze the extras. Some foods are significantly less expensive when purchased in bulk. So for foods that you are able to freeze, consider buying in large quantities and freeze what you don’t need right now.
Shop on a full stomach. This is an age-old tip for grocery shopping. Going to a grocery store when you’re hungry could cause you to overspend. You may be more likely to grab groceries you don’t need and more impulse purchases.
Buy produce that Is in season. Produce is more expensive when it’s out of season. Understand what produce is in season and when so you can enjoy fruits and vegetables when they’re tastiest and least expensive.
Shop bulk bins. Don’t forget to make use of bulk bins if your grocery store features them. Bulk bins allow you to scoop into a bag the exact amount of things you need such as grains or nuts. If you’re just buying a small amount, you also are less likely to waste any.
Compare prices among stores. Stores such as Aldi, Walmart and Trader Joe’s tend to have lower prices than other grocery stores. Don’t forget about wholesale clubs such as Costco and Sam’s Club, which can get you more for your money.
Limit shopping trips. The more time you spend at a grocery store, the more time you have for impulse buying. Determine how often you actually need to go to the grocery store and stick to the schedule.
Money-saving strategies recommend planning your shopping trips carefully and taking advantage of store loyalty programs. Consumer studies show that strategic shopping can lead to significant savings despite ongoing inflation.
