Discover 8 proven ways how you can save money on groceries, reduce food waste, and enjoy delicious meals without breaking the bank.
Grocery shopping has hit an all-time high everywhere in the world. According to a recent study by Kantar, it reveals the average grocery spend per household around the world exceeded $1,000 for the first time on record, almost 60% more than what was spent a decade earlier in 2013.
While it’s true that inflation is kicking everyone hard, the truth is that you can still save money on groceries. With a few steps, you’ll find you can spend less with a bit of planning, creativity, and intentionality. In this article, we’ll explore the 8 ways you can save money on groceries and learn practical strategies to reduce your grocery bill without sacrificing quality.
How To Save Money On Groceries
With careful planning and a few smart strategies, you can significantly reduce your food expenses. Let's dive into practical tips to help you save some of your money and still enjoy a full pantry without breaking the bank.
Make a grocery list and stick to it
According to research, it’s been discovered that most grocery stores are designed to encourage overspending, and has even shown that unplanned goods make up 20% of purchases at the store. So, the first step to saving money on groceries is creating a grocery list before visiting the grocery store. There are three things to note while doing this:
- Do not keep a mental list. Ensure you write on a piece of paper or on your notes app so you don’t forget.
- Make a comprehensive and realistic list. An unrealistic list can make you overspend and go beyond your budget.
- Stick to your list no matter what. If you find something that’s not on your grocery list, avoid buying it
This helps you curb impulse buying thereby controlling overspending. With this, you can save some money while still getting what you need.
Track Your Spending
Knowing where your money goes is a step to saving it. Don’t dispose off bills and receipts after every market run, ensure to keep them so you can keep track of how much you spend on grocery shopping. By tracking your grocery spending, you can identify spending leaks and areas where you can cut back.
Try using a budgeting app or spreadsheet to record your grocery purchases. Over time, you'll start to see patterns and can make informed decisions about your spending habits.
Plan Your Meals
Another step to saving money on grocery shopping is meal planning. This is very effective and time-saving. By deciding what you'll eat in advance, you can avoid impulse buying as this will help you stick to your list and resist tempting offers. Also, it can help reduce food wastage because you’re buying what you need.
Try New Stores
Checking new stores can be the game changer for your purse. This helps you with price comparison as different stores often have varying prices on the same products, by doing this, you might discover new stores with unique products or better deals.
Check out your local markets, and discounted supermarkets, and do a little research on what you want to buy. By branching out and trying new stores, you can find significant savings and potentially discover new favorite products.
Shop Discounts and Sales
Who doesn’t like good sales/discounts? Sales are your best friend when it comes to grocery shopping. When items you regularly use go on sale, buy in bulk and store them for later, get larger quantities of anything that has a long expiry date or is non-perishable.
Try Grocery Shopping Alone
If possible, try shopping alone. Shopping alone can be a game-changer when it comes to saving money on groceries. This helps you with focused shopping without distractions, you can stick to your list and avoid impulse buys. Shopping alone is often quicker, reducing the temptation to browse aimlessly. Also, you're less likely to be influenced by others' preferences or suggestions.
Buy In Bulk
When you purchase larger quantities of items, you often get a lower price per unit. This means more savings for you! Plus, it can reduce the number of trips to the store, saving you time and money. However, it's important to buy only what you can actually use. Overbuying can lead to waste and cost you more in the long run.
Reduce Food Waste
Throwing away food is like throwing away money. Every item you purchase but don't consume represents a loss. By cutting down on food waste, you're essentially increasing your purchasing power. Reducing waste means you'll need to replace groceries less often. Being mindful of food waste can help you save more money on groceries.
Conclusion
The good news is that you can start your budgeting now. The best budgeting method depends on your financial goals, spending habits, and personality. Experiment with different approaches to find what works best for you.
On the bitnob App, you can set spending limits on your Bitnob virtual card to control your spending habits and monitor your card transactions to track how much you're spending in different categories. You can start your savings with as little as a dollar a day. Download Bitnob today to start.