If you’re the type of person who can’t imagine life without a grocery store, consider yourself lucky. I mean, sure, it’s nice to have the option of ordering food from your couch at home and binge-watching Netflix in bed.
Sometimes it’s nice to be able to stock up on all those things that you couldn’t find at the local market (or maybe even if you could find them). The good news is that there are plenty of ways for you to save money by shopping at your favorite supermarket and we’ve got tips on how.
When to stock up
If you’re like me, your groceries are a mix of stuff that you use regularly and items that you don’t. I have a ton of produce in my fridge, but not enough meat or dairy products. So I try to buy those foods when they’re on sale or when they are in season.
The same goes for convenience items such as milk or eggs. If we can get them in bulk at the store, then we’ll go ahead and stock up because there’s no point wasting money buying them twice.
Make your own meals and avoid frozen meals
Frozen meals are expensive. They are not as healthy, nor do they taste as good as fresh meals. You can make your own for less money and healthier options that will help you save time, too.
The key to making a frozen meal at home is to make sure it’s fully cooked before freezing it. This means that you need to take care of all the little details like searing meat in a pan first so that it retains its juices when thawed later on down the line to ensure the dish comes out tasting just like something you’d get from your local restaurant (or even better).
Try a meal kit from the grocery store
Meal kits are pre-portioned packages of ingredients that you can use to make a specific meal. You’ll find meal kits at grocery stores and online, but they’re not just for busy people they’re also great for beginners who want to cook but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen. A typical meal kit costs around $10-$30 per person.
Meal kits are especially helpful if your schedule is packed with other obligations or if you like eating out more often than cooking at home. The cost savings alone might be enough reason for some people to give them a try.
Plan Your Meals For The Week Ahead
- Planning ahead can help you stick to a healthy diet, be more organized and save money.
- It will help you be more productive.
- You’ll know what’s on your plate at night so that you don’t have to waste time cooking meals or going grocery shopping late in the afternoon when it’s already getting dark outside.
- Planning ahead will also help with meal planning and shopping for other things like paper towels or cleaning supplies (not just food).
Do A Little Shopping Research Before You Go
- Know your store’s layout.
- Know the store’s hours.
- Check out the weekly ad for a new shipment of products, and make sure that it’s something you’d like to buy. If not, don’t waste time shopping there.
- Check out their website or social media pages to see what specials they have going on or when specific items will go on sale.
Keep Track Of Your Inventory. Write It Down
- Write it down.
- Start with a pen and paper, or keep an eye on your phone. You can also use an app like Evernote or Google Keep to help you keep track of your inventory.
- Just write down the date you bought it, what it is (if possible), how much you paid for it, and how much is left in your cart.
Conclusion
Once you get started, grocery shopping will be a breeze. You’ll be surprised at how much money you can save by giving yourself a few extra days to shop, or by stocking up on things like bulk spices and frozen vegetables.
You’ll also save on gas and time spent driving back and forth from the store and if you use our tips about meal planning and meal prep for the upcoming week ahead then we hope that you have more time left over to play with your kids.