Love it or hate it, shopping for groceries is an unavoidable fact of life. Here are five simple but extremely effective money saving tips for your weekly grocery shop.
1. Always Plan Ahead
While this tip might take some of the fun and spontaneity out of your evening meals, working out exactly what you want in advance will help you save a ton of money. In short, make a list and stick to it. This will enable you to stay focused and put together a bunch of supplies for sensible meals, rather than a heap of random items that caught your eye but will probably end up spoiling in the back of the refrigerator.
2. Don’t Shop On An Empty Stomach
We’ve all been there, right? You stop off at the store on your way home from work when you’re absolutely starving and you come out with a heap of junk food that might be tasty but won’t make a meal and is lacking in any discernable nutritional value. To avoid this mistake, make a point of shopping on a full stomach. Your wallet and your waistline will thank you.
3. Ditch The Brand Names
While you know what you’re getting with brand names, the store brand equivalents are usually just as good – and you’re not paying a premium for the name. Give it a go and, you never know, you may find that you actually prefer them!
4. Cook From Scratch
Processed and pre-packaged food is always more expensive. By being a bit more organized with your meal plans you’ll be able to think ahead and cook from scratch instead. This is by far the most cost-effective (and healthy!) option, and you might just find that you have a passion for it.
5. Look Out For Good Deals!
Remember, bulk buy or sale items are only a good deal if you’re going to use them. Always do the math and use your phone calculator to help you if you need it. Equally, look and see what is on offer for your most used items at the store and plan your shopping around them.