Easy Ways to Save Money on Groceries

In today’s economy, most of us have found ourselves needing to stretch every dollar. Many people are cutting back on entertainment, turning off lights when we leave the room and even adjusting our thermostats. We are taking less trips, eating out less and admiring this years fashions from afar. We are simply dreaming of our “wants” and only purchasing our “needs”.

One of our most basic needs is of course, food. It’s also one of the largest expenses most people have each month. There are a lot of different ways to save money on your grocery bill. You can use coupons, switch from name brands to generic and watch for sales. You can also sacrifice some of the foods you want for the foods you can afford. But, there are some other really easy ways that you can save money on groceries.

Shopping List

Make a Shopping List (and stick to it) Important!

One of the easiest ways to save money on groceries is to make a shopping list. However, the key to saving money with this easy step is to have the control to stick to the list and only purchase what you need. While it’s fine to splurge and now and then, impulse shopping greatly increases your total at the checkout. A grocery list can help you save money on gas. You’ll be less likely to forget something you really need and won’t have to make another trip.

When hunger is near, stay far away from the grocery store! Never go grocery shopping when you are hungry. Make a point to eat before you shop even if it’s just a quick snack. When you are hungry, everything in the store can have your mouth watering. And, your grocery cart will quickly be filled with items you didn’t intend to purchase.

Try to purchase enough groceries to last at least a week. You’d be amazed at how much more you spend on groceries when you make several trips a week instead of just one. If you make three trips a week and spend $5 on a impulse purchase, you will save $60 a month by doing all your shopping in one trip. If you end up purchasing $10 worth of extra groceries on each trip, you’ll save $120 each month!

Always take the time to check the expiration date on perishable grocery items. Many people will just grab the first gallon of milk in the dairy case. One of the biggest wastes of your grocery budget is having to throw out spoiled food. The freshest items are usually always toward the back. Checking the dates could mean the difference between getting to use a whole gallon of milk, or having to pour it out two days after you purchased it.

Instead of checking your local grocery store sale paper to see if there’s anything on your list, make your grocery list using the sale paper. Plan your meals around what is on sale this week. Purchase something you’re craving for one meal, then create the menu for the rest of the week from what is on sale. Even if you wasn’t planning to have chicken this week, if it’s on sale get creative!

Written by Connie Corder, Copyright 2010 SaveMoneySpot.com

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