You might have noticed your grocery money isn’t stretching quite as far as it used to. Inflation has led to a tremendous rise in food prices. Now, more than ever, is a great time to adopt a more frugal mindset. If you’re not interested in utilizing coupons, here are a few additional ways you can save money at the grocery store.
Take Stock
First things first, you need to take stock of your pantry, refrigerator and freezer before you head to the store. This is an essential step that many people skip. The fact is, if you don’t know what you have at home, you’re likely to overspend by purchasing duplicates. This might not be such a big deal when it comes to non- perishable items but overbuying perishable items you won’t eat results in a lot of waste.
Check Local Ads
One of the easiest ways to save money is to plan your dinner menu around your local store ads. These circulars will tell you exactly what items will be on sale. Write down the items your family would likely use/eat. Create a dinner menu using that list. This is not only a great way to ensure you’re saving money, it gives you the opportunity to try new dishes. If you’re constantly shopping for what’s on sale, you’ll have lots of variety in your diet. When you’re forced to be creative with meals, you’re less likely to get stuck in a rut. Be adventurous with your dinner menu!
Buy Cheaper Cuts of Meat
If you’re a meat lover, it’s probably important for you to get nice cuts of meat when you’re grocery shopping. However, with inflation skyrocketing the cost of meat, this could be an area where you can save. Opt for cheaper cuts of meat. Explore new marinade recipes, experiment with smoking the meat or cooking it in a crockpot. With a little extra preparation and cooking time, you can make a cheap cut of meat taste almost as good as an expensive one.
Do the Work
Many stores offer products for the sake of convenience. For example, you can buy a full head of lettuce or you can purchase a bag of lettuce that is already chopped up. It’s the exact same product but the packaged, chopped lettuce will likely be double the price. You will always pay more for convenience! It takes only a couple minutes to chop a head of lettuce. Don’t fall prey to the more expensive, prepared items. Doing the work to cut your own fruits and veggies, and assemble your own dishes pays off. You’ll be surprised at how much money you can save.
While coupons are an incredible money saving tool, there are more options available to help you save money. Adopting a frugal mindset is an important part of sticking to a budget. Don’t let the grocery store take your entire paycheck! Utilize these tips to help you save some money.