Love good food but not the high grocery bills? Here's how foodies can save money at the store without giving up on quality. Dive into these 10 smart tips, from choosing seasonal produce to making the most of discounts, and see how you can enjoy great meals on a budget.
AUTHOR: Chris Phelan
Table of Contents
- 1. Embrace the Coupon Life
- 2. Don't Visit Grocery Stores While Hungry
- 3. Buy Spices When They're on Sale
- 4. Buy Lots of Pasta
- 5. Plan Around Weekly Sales
- 6. Stock up on Nonperishables
- 7. Consider Ordering Online
- 8. Don't Go On Sundays
- 9. It's Okay to "Window Shop"
- 10. Remember To Have Fun
- 10 Cheap Costco Items That Are Worth Every Penny
- 12 Things From the Past That Old People Wish Were Still Around
- 45 Mexican Recipes That'll Make You Feel Like You're In Cancun
1. Embrace the Coupon Life
In 2024, millions of shoppers are still embracing the coupon life. While only a few chefs still clip coupons in the old-fashioned way, most have graduated to the digital version. Make sure to download your local grocery store's app for exclusive access to sales and digital coupons that can yield profound relief to your wallet. You'll be amazed at the deals you'll come across!
2. Don't Visit Grocery Stores While Hungry
Don't be stupid. Don't go grocery shopping if you're hungry. While I'm not advocating that you eat a Thanksgiving-sized meal before heading out to the supermarket, you should nevertheless not shop on an empty stomach. Shopping while hungry will lead to needless impulse purchases that can skyrocket your final grocery bill. In addition, you'll most likely target unhealthy foods!
3. Buy Spices When They're on Sale
Anyone who's dreamed of owning an impressive spice collection is usually immediately turned off by the implied cost. As one person advises, start slow when starting a spice collection from scratch.
"Buy spices when they're on sale; don't buy them all at once, or it will cost a ton," explains one man. "Eventually, you'll want a collection of the basics, like garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chile powder, oregano, turmeric, curry powder, coriander, paprika, and other spices, but for now, start with salt, pepper, and one or two other spices."
4. Buy Lots of Pasta
You'll quickly learn you can never have too much pasta in your pantry. For millions of home chefs, pasta dishes are the easiest (and arguably most flavorful) to prepare at a moment's notice (or if you don't know what to cook that day). Fortunately, boxed pasta is inexpensive, and weekly sales can lower their prices. Trust me: Never shy away from a great deal on pasta!
5. Plan Around Weekly Sales
Don't be foolish; plan your weekly trips to the grocery store with a budget in mind. Many people use their local supermarket's weekly sales advertisement as a jumping-off point for their weekly grocery list.
"Start with looking at the weekly sales ad for your local grocery stores and then plan your menu around what's on sale," directs one savvy shopper. "Without planning, you'll blow through your budget easily."
6. Stock up on Nonperishables
It's essential to build up your pantry to a respectable level. Stocking up on nonperishable food goes a long way toward being prepared to cook anything anytime! From peanut butter to canned soups (and everything in between), a properly stocked pantry aims to ensure that nobody will ever look in it and think, "Oh no, there's nothing to eat in this house."
7. Consider Ordering Online
Why make things harder on yourself? In 2023, many supermarkets offer the option to order online, which saves time and money.
"One thing that helps me is being able to order my groceries online for pickup," one man confesses. "That way, I can compare my recipe to what the store carries and has in stock, plus you can see your order total."
In addition, ordering online is the best way to combat unnecessary impulse purchasing once you're in-store!
8. Don't Go On Sundays
Guess who waits until the last hours of the weekend to go to the grocery store? That's right, everybody! Don't be like everyone else; grocery stores and supermarkets can be unbearably crowded on Sundays, so time your weekly visits during off-peak hours. Later in the evenings or early afternoons during the week are perfect times to visit. Nothing is worse than dealing with unruly crowds and being unable to relax while shopping.
9. It's Okay to "Window Shop"
Venturing out in the grocery store with aspirations of being a fantastic home chef can be intimidating, but one chef has timeless advice to help ease you during your transition!
"Start with easy meals," recommends one woman, "Don't worry about having everything on hand immediately. If a recipe calls for oregano, buy it and put it in the cupboard. It will be there next time you need it. Take time to 'window shop' at the grocery store; you may find some easy-to-prepare meals you didn't know existed."
10. Remember To Have Fun
Cooking is supposed to be fun, so don't let the grocery shopping part bring you down. As one chef describes, it's critical only to buy ingredients you enjoy eating.
"Only buy proteins you like; buy vegetables and sides you like," attests one man. "Buy spices you like. Don't buy foods you'll hate eating. Remember: Onions and garlic are good to keep on hand. Mix and match as wanted. Have fun with your grocery store experience; live it up!"
Source: Reddit.
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