One of the largest categories in our monthly budget is FOOD. Here are just a few ideas that save me money at the store without costing me a lot of time in preparation!
1. SHOP REGULARLY - When you shop on a regular basis, you begin to get a feel for what things cost. Consequently, when you run across a bargain, you will know it and you can take advantage of it.
2. PLAN YOUR MEALS AHEAD OF TIME - Trying to think about what you will cook for several days at a time is difficult to do WHILE you are making your way through the store. If you shop after work or on your lunch hour, this is almost impossible. Before your shopping trip, sit down (with your calendar) and plan your meals for the week. They don't have to be elaborate plans, just something that will give you a basic idea about what you need to buy.
3. USE A LIST - After you have planned your meals, make a list of what you need and stick to it while you are at the store. You will spend less on "impulse" items and ingredients that are not on your meal plan for the week if you are using a list.
4. LEARN THE LAYOUT OF THE STORE - This will be helpful when you are just making a short trip and only need a few things. If you are not wandering around "looking" for a specific item, you will be less likely to buy things you don't need just because you walked past them.
5. REDUCE YOUR SERVING SIZES - If you are eating less, you will be buying less. Chances are, you won't notice a small reduction in the amount of food on your plate but you WILL notice a reduction in your food bill.
6. EAT A SNACK OR MEAL BEFORE YOU GO - Shopping while you are hungry is an open invitation for "binge buying". Make sure your stomach is not growling when you enter the store!
7. BUY STORE BRAND AND/OR GENERIC PRODUCTS - In many cases, these products are actually produced and packaged at the same locations as the name brands. Most of the time, you won't be able to tell a difference in quality or taste but you will notice that you are saving money.
8. SHOP WITHOUT YOUR CHILDREN - For anyone that has ever been to the store WITH your children, I don't need to explain this. For the rest of you, let me just say that you will be more focused and you'll find fewer things in your basket that you don't remember putting there if you leave the kids at home!
9. USE COUPONS - If you have a coupon
for an item that you would buy anyway, use it. Those small savings definitely add up over time, especially if you shop at a store that doubles or triples coupons. Also, if you can use coupons for items that are on sale, you will save even more. One caution about coupons...be sure to check the coupon price against the OTHER brands on the shelf. Even with a coupon, other brands may be less expensive!
10. PAY CASH - You WILL buy and spend less when you pay with cash so get in the habit of doing that. It forces you to be more deliberate about what you are buying, how much you are paying and the quantities you need. Not to mention, it makes a much bigger psychological impression than just swiping your plastic.
