Suggestions to help lower your grocery bill

I'm sure we are all finding prices are going up and up! However, there are a few ways to help you spend less on groceries and still put nutritious meals on the table. Have a look at these suggestions, they could help you cut back on costs at the grocery store/supermarket!

Make a plan

This is hard to quantify, but planning helps save you money for many reasons. Making a grocery/shopping list helps you avoid impulse purchases that add up. You’re more likely to use what you buy and what you already have on hand — which helps cut back on costs more. Researchers estimate that, on average, households throw away about 30% of the food they buy.

Having a dinner plan (plus a few lunches and breakfasts) for the week also helps you cook more at home and pass up takeout or other more expensive options on busy days. It doesn’t have to be complex, but having a few recipes written down and then shopping for those ingredients is a great strategy to help you save money at the store.

Be picky with produce
It's always a good idea to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables but they can sometimes be expensive. Choosing frozen, canned or dried fruits and vegetables is a great way to save money and still get vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants into your diet.

Search for sales
Some of us are already adept at using coupons and looking through the weekly sale flyers. But if you don’t currently, it’s not too late to start. Most grocery stores offer discounts throughout the store. Combine those with coupons, and you could save quite a bit. One good strategy is to look at what’s on sale first, then add some of those foods into your meal plan for the week!

Check unit prices
If you don’t know what a unit price is, you should! It’s located on the shelf next to the price for the item and allows you to better compare sizes and different brands.
It might make sense to buy the bigger box, which will cost more at the time but is going to be cheaper per pound than the smaller box. Unit prices show you the cost based on weight, and smaller sizes often cost more.

Rethink your protein
Protein-rich foods like meat, poultry and seafood tend to be some of the more expensive foods on our plates. There are ways to see some smart savings here without giving up meat (if you don’t want to!). It’s true that many plant-based proteins, like beans and tofu, are cheaper than meat. Trying a meatless meal or two might help you save some money.

Choosing less expensive cuts of meat helps too. Choosing ground meats, top round steaks, or chicken thighs (vs. breasts) are ways to help cut costs. Talk to your butcher or compare prices to save. Since protein is pricey, if you have the freezer space, it may make sense to stock up when it’s on sale. Then just freeze, and thaw when you’re ready to cook.

Know what expiration dates mean
The dates you see on food packages often represent quality standards, not safety.
Other than infant formula, which does get a safety date, foods are listed with “best if used by,” “sell-by,” “use-by,” or “freeze-by” dates that indicate freshness and quality. Check those dates, both at the store and at your house, to ensure what you’re buying is fresh and that you’re using up older products first. Paying attention to dates can help save you money since you’re eating up food when it’s freshest.

Shop your pantry and freezer
Sometimes when it seems like there isn’t anything to eat in the house, there is. Turning to what you have before you make a list and shop can help you save money, since you’re using what you’ve got. It might take a little more effort — maybe you’re not really sure what to make with that box of pasta, or you’ve had a bag of broccoli languishing in your freezer — but using these building blocks to tackle one meal can help keep costs down. Taking inventory also helps you use up foods before they do spoil.

Buy in bulk (when it makes sense)
This can be especially helpful for large families who need to stock up on a lot of food. Even if you’re not cooking for a crowd, you may find that it makes sense to buy certain staple foods in bulk because of the significant cost savings.

Switch your store
Many of us are loyal to our grocery store, but switching it up can help you save on your grocery bill. Depending on sales, you may want to mix up where you shop. Not everyone has the ability to shop at different stores – due to where they live and how easy it is to access food —but if you can mix up where you shop, you may be able to save some money.

Rethink “convenience”
It’s true that a lot of times we pay a premium for convenience — think pre-cut produce or sauces that are already made and ready for you to use. However, sometimes those convenience items pay off, and it means you’re eating a home-cooked meal instead of again getting takeout or letting items in your fridge go to waste.

We all need a little help putting dinner on the table, so choose your convenience wisely and make sure you are getting what you pay for. Sometimes the cost of chopped veggies or a jarred sauce is not that much more expensive. Be mindful of the prices to see what the premium is and also know that you can find convenience without paying more by buying items like frozen vegetables. You might need a little help from the store but make sure you’re choosing that convenience wisely and using it to your advantage to save money in the long run by cooking more at home.
Words above from article here

~ happy shopping ~

Do please share your thoughts about this post in the comments section. Also if you have any tips on helping fellow bloggers save money, do please share them.

Dear reader - you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas, within this blog. It is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e., use a reliable meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan