The average family of four is spending about $600 a month on groceries. That’s almost $1,000 per month. On groceries. Yikes, that’s a lot! And that doesn’t even include eating out or the cost of recurring monthly subscriptions for services like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh. With the high cost of food, we have to think outside the box to save money and get value for our dollars spent. That’s why many people use a shopping list when they go to the grocery store. It helps keep track of what you need and avoid doubling up on items.
Create a Shopping List
A shopping list is key to successful grocery shopping. If you don’t make a list, you will end up buying many items that you don’t need. This can be due to impulse or just distraction. If you have a list, you can avoid these traps and only buy what you need. A shopping list should reflect what you actually eat. If it doesn’t, you will end up throwing a lot of the food away. You might also feel wasteful if you have to throw away food that you bought, but didn’t consume. This can be a significant amount of money.
Go With a Plan
When you go to the grocery store without a plan, it’s easy to overspend. You can easily be swayed by sales or deceiving marketing tactics designed to get you to spend more. The best way to avoid this is to go with a plan. When doing your grocery list, decide how much you want to spend. This will give you a budget and help you avoid overspending. It’s also a good idea to decide what meals you’re going to cook and when. This will help you avoid buying ingredients that you don’t need or forget and then have to throw away.
Shop at the Right Time
The best time to shop is during off-peak hours. The best time to shop is actually in the middle of the week. This is because fewer people are shopping, so you won’t be as rushed. However, it may be harder to park your car. Avoid going to the grocery store on the weekends because many families are shopping then and there may be more deals and coupons to contend with. The best time to shop online is during off-peak hours. This is because online stores are able to see when the store is less busy and have better pricing. Also, you can shop at any time of the day or night. This is a great convenience for parents and people with busy schedules.
Buy in-season and on Sale
Most importantly, shop for food that’s in season. This is when the food is at its peak freshness and has the most value, in terms of cost and nutrition. This will help you avoid throwing away food that has gone bad, because it wasn’t fresh enough. It will also help you avoid spending more than you need to on food. You can also shop for food that’s on sale. Many grocery stores have apps that will tell you what’s on sale. This can be a great way to save money on food, especially when buying in bulk.
Don’t Forget to Check the Coupon Folder
If you’re still using the newspaper coupon folder, you’re missing out on savings. Many grocery stores have apps that are designed to help you find products at a reduced rate. Also, many supermarkets will put signs up in the store with coupon offers. These are great ways to save money. You can also use cash back apps when shopping. This is a great way to save money when shopping for groceries. You can use the app on your smartphone to find the best deals at the grocery store.
Bottom Line
Grocery shopping can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little prep, you can avoid overspending and make the most of your grocery trip.
