I’m a Financial Expert: Always Use These 7 Money-Saving Shortcuts for Buying Groceries
Grocery shopping just gets more and more expensive. With inflation on the rise, what was already a major expense has gotten, quite frankly, out of control. To help counteract the extreme cost, GOBankingRates spoke with some of the top financial and consumer experts to get their inside tips on how to save money on groceries without sacrificing quality or variety.
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From creating a reverse shopping list to buying in bulk, these experts shared their top money-saving shortcuts that anyone can use to cut down on their grocery bills.
Create a Reverse Shopping List
One of the most unique tips we heard came from Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews.com, who said, “Consider a reverse shopping list. Basically this is an inventory of items you have on hand and frequently buy, and you only purchase when you’re out – or almost out. That way you can shop more easily for items you know you need rather than wasting time browsing aisles and trying to remember if you need more taco seasoning or not.”
Meal Plan Around Sales
Another great tip from Ramhold? Meal plan around sales.
“While this may require more work than just sticking to a menu of tried-and-true recipes, it can also help you to save money because you’re focusing more on the items that are on sale each week rather than just buying the same ingredients over and over regardless of price,” she explained.
Plus, it can be a fun way to try new recipes and break out of your usual routine.
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Download Store Apps
If you’re not already using store apps, you’re missing out on some serious savings.
“Many grocery stores and big-box stores have their own apps now and downloading them and incorporating them into your regular shopping routine can be an easy way to save on your grocery bills,” Ramhold shared. “This is because a lot of them have digital coupons built in that you may have to browse and save, or they’ll just be redeemed automatically at checkout when you purchase a qualifying item.”
Buy in Bulk (If It Makes Sense for You)
Stoy Hall, CFP® at Black Mammoth, is a big fan of buying in bulk, especially when it comes to meat.
“Full disclosure, as a foodie, my biggest spending issues are with food – and meat specifically!” he said. “That being said, investing in a couple of deep freezers and buying in bulk is the ultimate shortcut with groceries!”
But he also noted that buying in bulk isn’t for everyone.
“As long as you want to spend time breaking down large cuts of meat or have the pantry and discipline to actually use the bulk, then this is the way to go,” he explained.
Align Your Budget With Your Eating Habits
Hall also shared some great advice on aligning your budget with your eating habits.
“I also advise my clients that they need to figure out if they are the eat out type or the eat in type, this matters tremendously because in your budget I believe the category should be labeled ‘food’ and not two separate categories — groceries and eating out – because they ultimately are the same thing: expenses to feed you,” he said.
“Once you know what you are as a person, then just align your budget in that manner! You will find you start to spend less overall because you have aligned your goals with your spending; some may eat out more but you don’t let your groceries rot in the fridge, others will eat out less and cook more, exploring the culinary arts,” he added.
Focus On Whole Foods
We’re not talking about the grocery store Whole Foods here — although you can find some deals there! It doesn’t have to be Whole Paycheck! We’re talking about focusing on foods like fruits, vegetables, grains and beans, which are often much cheaper than expensive processed foods. Not only that, they’re more versatile and nutritious — meaning you can create more healthy meals for less. Stock up on onions, lentils, rice and herbs and you’ll never go hungry (and save a pretty penny)!
Shop Seasonally
Shopping seasonally is an excellent way to save money on produce. When fruits and vegetables are in season, they’re often cheaper and more readily available. Plus, they taste better too! You can always find them at the grocery store, but if you have time to visit a farmers’ market, you’ll score some major deals there, too.
By incorporating these expert tips into your grocery shopping routine, you can save money on your bills without sacrificing quality or variety. Whether you choose to create a reverse shopping list, meal plan around sales, download store apps, buy in bulk (if it makes sense for you), align your budget with your eating habits, focus on whole foods or shop seasonally, there are plenty of ways to save money on groceries. Happy shopping!
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Financial Expert: Always Use These 7 Money-Saving Shortcuts for Buying Groceries
