You cannot survive without mouthwatering delicious home-cooked food, can you? However, you need to shop for groceries quite diligently for that. If you’re a regular homemade food kind of person, you would have noticed that food prices have been increasing steadily. 

The image below shows you the steady increase of grocery items by 4.6% since 2020. Experts have also reported that grocery prices will spike by an additional 1.5% to 2.5% by 2022.

These projections sound alarming, isn’t it? But you needn’t worry because you’re in the place of solutions. Perusing this article will give you brilliant tips and tricks to save money on groceries.

Tips and Tricks to Save Money on Groceries

Did you know that Americans, on average, spend $5174 a year on groceries? This is because prices of meat, eggs, vegetables, and more have shot up since the pandemic. Plus, where you shop, the number of people in your household also determines the expense of grocery shopping. 

Regardless, here are some tips you must follow to avoid burning a hole in your pocket:

Check Your Inventory First

Before you head for grocery shopping, you want to check your fridge and other inventory. You can use kitchen inventory printable to keep track of everything you have in your fridge and ensure you know how much of an item you have. 

When you’ve taken an inventory, you can create a comprehensive list that will help you shop for your groceries penny-wise.

Pay with Grocery Reward Cards

Every grocery shop will have some form of reward cards and more that will help you save money. You can use a generic cashback card or use specific grocery reward card to earn 8% cashback opportunities. 

You get cards like Blue Cash American Express card, Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, and much more that offer you a cashback of 1- 8%.

These reward cards offer you cash back when you pay your credit card bill.

Sign Up for Loyalty Programs

You can sign up for some loyalty programs at your favourite grocery shops. When you regularly shop at the same grocery store, you can avail of their loyalty programs to get perks and earn points. 

You can redeem these points on all your purchases and save money; plus, when you’re a loyal member, you can get access to pre-sale discounts, and you’ll be prioritized for any exciting new offers and deals. 

Clipping Coupons

 Another easy way to save money on groceries is by clipping coupons. You can access various coupons on websites, the Sunday paper, at the grocery store checkout, mails from grocery stores, and much more. 

Being a member of the loyalty programs at a grocery store means you’ll get regular access to coupons. Ensure you save them and use them wisely to save big. 

Go with a List and Stick to It

While going grocery shopping, it’s best to have a list. If you go without a list, you’re more likely to get dazzled by the lighting and enticing brands placed in the front. More often than not, these items are the most expensive items in the aisles. 

You can use free printable grocery shopping lists to make it easier to shop precisely what you need. Ensure you follow the tip given above and check your inventory before making a shopping list. Be as precise as you can to ensure you pick up only the necessary items. 

Buy Items on Sale

You might want to ensure you buy items that are on sale and in bulk. Most grocery stores and supermarkets always run some of the other promotions that will help you save on food staples. 

For items like eggs, meat, and vegetables, you’ll want to look for deals as they are mostly the pricey items in the grocery stores. 

You will be able to find and shop for items on your list at sale price if you search carefully.

Buy Generic Brands

You may feel a particular loyalty to specific brands due to their quality and attractive packaging. However, these might prove expensive for you in the long run. Wherever possible, try to look for generic store brands for items like sugar, detergent, salt, pulses, and more. You’ll end up saving much more.

Plus, the store brand products may have more coupon clipping options to help you spend less. 

Compare Prices in Different Stores

If you’re in a locality with several grocery stores, you might want to window shop and compare prices before choosing your favorite. You’ll be able to examine which store has your necessary goods at lower costs and understand the various deals each shop offers. 

When you compare prices, you’ll be able to decide how many grocery shops you’ll need to shop from to get all your provisions at lower rates. 

The image below gives you an idea of which stores help you spend lesser. 

Bring Your Own Bag

It is always a good idea to bring your own bag when you go grocery shopping. You will save money on spending on a shopping bag. Plus, you will be environmentally friendly by avoiding the plastic and polypropylene bags given at the store.

You can also pack your items the way you want to. You’ll be able to ensure your items reach your home in one piece. Some grocery stores may even offer you schemes to save a minimal percentage on your total bill if you get your own bag.

Order Curbside Pick Up

It’s recommended that you order curbside pickup if you want to save money. This is especially helpful if you go grocery shopping with your kids. When you order curbside pickup, you call ahead and tell your grocer the list and pick it up at the curb. 

You’ll avoid the hassle of running through the aisles and finding your items. Plus, you will be devoid of any distractions that can make you pick up unnecessary items. 

It’s a perfect idea when you want to do your grocery shopping on a budget. Ensure you get free curbside pickup or calculate the minimal fee into your budget. 

Limit Shopping Trips

It might be a good idea to limit your grocery shopping trips altogether. Ensure you buy your grocery monthly or bi-monthly and use your inventory completely. Don’t step out to grocery shop unless absolutely necessary. 

More importantly, know when to shop. Try shopping on weekdays when the prices will be marked down, and you can avail of more deals. Avoid the weekend like the plague because you will not get any deals. 

Don’t buy more than you need; ensuring you don’t shop when you’re hungry is an important mantra to follow. This will help you limit your grocery shopping trips.

Learn Sales Cycle

You might find it easier to save money if you know the sales cycle bang on. You’ll be able to get deals during Christmas, Easter, Halloween, or some other sales. You might be better off shopping in the first week of the month to get the best deals. 

You can check out some websites to know more about the sales cycle.

Endnotes

Grocery shopping is unavoidable and quite expensive. You nearly spend $5000 per year on it. So, use the tips and tricks given above to save money. You might find it helpful to compare prices between stores, stick to a list, sign up for loyalty programs, buy generic brands, and more. Plus, you might want to purchase items on sale to avoid burning a hole in your pocket.

Shop smart and wisely to get your share of groceries at a reasonable rate. Most importantly, ensure you check your inventory before stepping out to shop for your groceries. You will be able to formulate a list and stick to it then. 

So, follow the tips and tricks to save on grocery shopping!