In today’s fast-paced world, saving money on groceries is a goal many of us strive to achieve. Fortunately, with a few simple strategies and mindful choices, you can significantly reduce your grocery bills without compromising on healthy and delicious meals. In this blog post, we will explore a plethora of tips and tricks to help you save money on groceries and combat inflation.
Groceries are one of the more controllable variable expenses you have and the range of what you spend may differ largely from your neighbours. From making a shopping list and embracing plant-based meals to utilizing money-saving apps and taking advantage of discount grocers, these tips will revolutionize your shopping experience and keep your wallet happy.
1. Make a Shopping List and Stick to It
Creating a grocery list is a tried and tested method to avoid impulse purchases. Plan your meals for the week and make a comprehensive list before heading to the store. By sticking to your list, you’ll eliminate unnecessary expenses and stay focused on the essentials.
2. Embrace More Vegan/Vegetarian Meals
Plant-based meals are not only healthy but also cost-effective. Incorporating more vegan or vegetarian recipes into your weekly meal plan can help you save money by reducing the need for expensive meat products.
3. Buy Generic
Consider buying generic or store-brand products instead of branded ones. Generic items often offer equivalent quality at a fraction of the cost. Give them a try and see the savings add up.
4. Price-Match
Take advantage of price-matching policies offered by certain stores. Compare prices across different retailers and present the lower-priced item at the checkout to score the best deal. This is one of the biggest weekly money savers for our family. You can do it the old school way by bringing flyers to the store or you can use the handy app Flipp.
5. Explore Discount Grocers
Discount grocers such as No Frills or Food Basics provide substantial savings on everyday essentials. Shop at these stores regularly to take advantage of their lower prices without sacrificing quality.
6. Utilize Money-Saving Apps
Phone apps like Checkout 51, Flash Food and Receipt Hog can put cash back in your pocket. Scan your receipts after shopping to earn rewards or cashback on eligible items, helping you save money on future purchases. Or try out Flash Food, and pick up some heavily discounted products nearing their expiration dates. Checking out these apps are sure to aid you in achieving incredible deals on meat, produce, and bakery items, reducing food waste and saving money.
The image used for this post was a photo I took yesterday of a large batch of bananas we bought on the app Flash Food. The whole box cost $3. When we luck out on a find like this, we freeze as many as possible to use in smoothies and other recipes. In addition, with our family being predominantly plant-based, I tend to crush three of those bad boys per day.
7. Meal Prep
Meal prepping is a game-changer for saving money. Plan your meals for the upcoming week, purchase ingredients in bulk, and batch cook to have ready-to-eat meals throughout the week. This helps you avoid last-minute takeout and reduces food waste.
8. Opt for Batch Cooking
Batch cooking involves preparing larger portions of meals and freezing them for later use. It can go hand in hand with meal prepping. By buying ingredients in bulk and cooking in larger quantities, you can reduce costs and have quick and convenient meals ready when you need them.
9. Make Enough for Leftovers
Intentionally cook extra portions to ensure leftovers for future lunches. This eliminates the need to buy pricey takeout meals during the workweek, saving both money and time. This is nicely paired with #8 Batch Cooking. Setting aside a few hours a week can go a long way into saving you later in the week.
10. Shop for Sales Only
Plan your shopping trips around sales and promotions. Keep an eye on flyers or use online resources to make the most of discounted prices on your favorite items. Once again, use the handy app Flipp to see where the sales are each week.
11. Use Loyalty Cards
Sign up for loyalty programs, such as PC Optimum in Canada or a Kroger card in the USA, offered by grocery stores. These cards provide exclusive discounts and personalized offers based on your shopping habits, helping you save even more.
12. Utilize Coupons
I know this isn’t the 1990’s still but simply using coupons to stay ahead is another great way to save some hard earned money. Clip coupons from newspapers, magazines, or online sources. Sometimes stores like Loblaws for instance, have a coupon board to grab whatever coupons you’d like. Keep them organized and use them when purchasing items you regularly consume to maximize savings. It may not seem like huge savings but pairing them with other strategies will stack your savings quickly.
13. Avoid Pre-Packaged and Convenience Foods
Pre-packaged and convenience foods are often priced higher due to the added convenience they offer. Opt for fresh ingredients and prepare your meals from scratch to save money and enjoy healthier options.
14. Buy in Bulk for Certain Items
Non-perishable items such as rice, pasta, and baking supplies can be purchased in bulk, reducing the cost per unit. Stock up on these staples when they’re on sale to save money in the long run.
15. Stock Up
When you come across incredible deals on items with long shelf lives, such as pantry staples or household items, stock up to take advantage of the lower prices and avoid paying full price in the future.
16. Utilize Self Checkouts
Studies suggest that using self checkouts can lead to significant savings. With transparency in scanning and live totals, you’re more likely to stay within your budget and avoid impulse purchases. Also, there are significantly less items at self checkouts that often triggers impulse buying.
Bonus Tip (Canada Only)
17. Sustainable Sundays
Make use of Bulk Barn’s special promotion every Sunday, known as Sustainable Sundays, where you can save 15% on your entire purchase if you bring your own containers in instead of using their plastic bags. This is the perfect opportunity to buy bulk pantry staples at discounted prices all while helping out the environment.
Conclusion
Saving money on groceries is not only possible but also relatively easy when you apply these smart tips and tricks to your shopping routine. From making a detailed shopping list and embracing plant-based meals to utilizing money-saving apps and shopping at discount grocers, there are numerous ways to cut down your grocery expenses. By adopting these strategies with consistency and mindfulness, you’ll be amazed at the amount of money you can save while still nourishing yourself and your family.
If you have some additional tips your family uses that I’ve missed, I’d love to hear about them in the comments!