If you are like my family, saving money any place possible is something I have to do. Hubby is on a fixed income and sometimes the balancing act and juggle to have enough money until the end of the month can be tough. I am always looking and learning more about how to save on my grocery bill since that seems to be the easiest area to affect. I am not a big couponer due to time constraints, although I do use them when I have them and only for things that I will actually use. My stores here do not price match, double coupons or anything special. So we are left to be creative.
At the beginning of the month, I usually take some time to plan my shopping. Hubby helps by checking out the sales and then we use these tips to hit the markets. Maybe one of them will help you!
Tips to Help Save Money on Your Grocery Bill
* Create a Master Shopping List – Most people are creatures of habit so having a master shopping list of the foods you like and use can save a ton of time. Create one and hang it on your fridge so as you use something, you can mark it down and remember to buy it
* Take Inventory – Before heading out, know what is in the pantry and freezer. Sometimes buying duplicates is okay depending on what it is, but other times, it is a waste when it could have waited another month or two.
* Menu Plan – Take the time to write a menu plan for the month. It will help cut down on a quick run to Taco Bell when you don’t feel like cooking. Plus it lets you buy in bulk because you know what you will be cooking.
* Plan to Freeze Meals – Buying in bulk and planning meals also allows you to cook in bigger batches and freeze meals for other uses. If you are cooking spaghetti one night, double the sauce and freeze it. Making stew? Double it and freeze for another meal. Saves time and money.
* Buy Meat in Bulk – You can save more when purchasing your meats in bulk and cutting into your own portions. Buying a hunk of beef and then cutting into roasts and grinding your own hamburger is a huge savings. Buying pork shoulders in bulk and cutting into roasts can save a bundle. Some stores cryovac 4-6 roasts together that you can separate and freeze. Huge savings over buying 1 roast at a time. Plus you can cut them down for stew, taco meat, pulled meat, etc.
* Price Shop – I make a point at shopping different markets for their deals. I also make lists of who has what cheaper and keep them updated so I know when I need x product, I go and stock up. Dollar Tree has great prices on some of the canned goods I use, so when I am running out, I grab a bunch at one time. My fave – canned potatoes make fabulous fried potatoes! YUM
* Use Farmers Co-Op’s and Markets – If you have farmers co-op’s available, get on one of their plans for your fresh veggies. Living in an ag area, I am able to sign up for weekly, 2x a month, or monthly service. I don’t a choice on what I get, but it is good.
These are some of the ideas and tips that we use in our home. Hope you find some of them helpful! Share your tips and tricks with us and others too!
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these are all good tips. I’ve been going through the pantry trying to notice things I’ve had for a while, and then try to buy something inexpensive to make with it. It is all part of decluttering – declutter the pantry, too!
the best thing is askiry and produce go out. the manager when reduced items in meat da
These are all good tips and I have used most of,them. I did not know that canned potatoes make good fried potatoes. I always make list and look for coupons before shopping.
Great tips and ones that I really need to follow. I really like the take inventory one that is super important before you go to the store.
My daughter is learning the grocery game and takes care of us very well. She shops ads, looks for coupons online and in print, and keeps track of needs. Making a list is very important. She makes a list of items we might want from the sales and a separate list of items we need and have to buy. She then looks for coupons to find out if any of those maybes are great deals and we should stock up on due to coupons and if we really will use them. Freezing is a great option for stocking up on great sales.
Saving money on groceries is my life’s work! I have found that as we get older and the kids are gone that we can make the more expensive parts of the meal, like the meat, go a lot further if I add an extra veggie. And we feel a bit healthier!
Spending on groceries is about the only place I can really exert any control over our family’s finances, and I run a very frugal kitchen. This isn’t to say that we don’t eat well, though. I make most of what we eat from scratch, which is really quite economical as well as delicious. For me, though, the key is knowing my inventory and shopping the sales.
I try to take inventory of my freezer and pantry before any big shopping trip. I find if I don’t, I often buy something that I already have. Also buying the family packs of meat and freezing is helpful in keeping down the grocery bill.
I’m big on cooking a bunch in my crockpot and then dividing it for future meals. Less mess, fewer pans, easier on me.
Buy Meat in Bulk……… most grocery stores are more than happy to cut roasts smaller and repackage for you. I make beef jerky for treats/snacks and tee butcher will slice it for me rigt there at the store. It nee=ver hurts to ask too if they have manager specials or when they usually are put out.
These are all great ways to save money on your grocery bill. I especially like cooking a large amount of food and saving it to eat again at another meal.