13 Simple Ways To Save Money On Groceries

You've cut back on your spending. You're not going to your usual fancy coffee shop for your daily morning coffee, you're eating most nights at home and even incorporated walking as part of your commute to and from work so you save on gas and gym membership. But you want to save more. Can you still find more frugal ways to save? You can, by tackling your grocery bill.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average American family of four spends $650 on food each month. That gets a big chunk of your monthly budget, especially if you're on a limited income. If you want to cut back on your grocery spending, here are some practical and simple ways to save on groceries that you can easily integrate into your routine.

1. Plan all your meals and snacks ahead of time

Making a plan is like setting yourself up for success. Plan your meals based on what you already have, what's on sale, and what you still need to buy. If you have small children in your family, it is best to plan for an entire month. Try sitting down at the start of each month and plan your meals and snacks. If chickens are on sale, you can stock up and make a few more chicken meals. If you still have stocks on your pantry, make sure to make meals that will make use of the ingredients that you already have. Why a month? because it allows you to plan your spending much better, helps you stay on track with your budget, and makes frugality a habit.

2. Take time to make a grocery list

Based on your meal plan, make a grocery list. It's not a matter of having a good memory, but about sticking to your plan and budget. You will be less likely to stray away from your money-saving strategy if you write down everything you need to buy. It will not only guarantee that you don't forget the things you need but more importantly, it will deter you from buying things you don't need.

3. Limit your grocery trips

The less time you spend on the grocery store, the less likely you'll spend. If you think about it, more often than not, there are items not on the list that magically appear in your shopping bag. You will be less likely to commit this blunder if you limit your trip to the store. If you are planning a meal for a month, you can cut your grocery trips to two--one is for the first half of the month, the other for the second half.

4. Buy the store brands

You can save a ton simply by switching from the fancy name brand cereal to store-brand cereal. The generic or store brands are almost always cheaper. Most of the time, manufacturers of generic brands are the same manufacturers of name-brand products. The store would just put their own label on the products and offer them at a lower price point. But be sure to check the label to see if you are getting the same product.

5. Make wise grocery shopping protocols

Your disposition before making your grocery can affect your savings. If you shop after work, you might not have enough energy to search the aisles or be too worn out and hungry that makes convenience food more appealing. As much as possible, try to get your shopping done during the weekends when you have the energy and aren't stressed or worn out from a busy day. This will make it easier for you to focus and make wise choices since you are not preoccupied or in a time crunch. It is also a good rule to follow to shop on a full stomach to avoid any temptation. Lastly, arm yourself with your shopping list and stick to it, especially if you are going to do the shopping with your kids. You can give them a pep talk that you will work as a team to make sure that you get to stick to your list. Reward them at home with your pre-planned snacks after you've finished your shopping.

6. Buy in-season produce or buy frozen

Stock up on fruits and veggies that are in season. Not only will you get it at the cheap, you will also get it at its best. You get to save and you get to support your local farmers. If berries are in season, try to buy in bulk and freeze the rest or make preserves out of them.

Frozen fruits and veggies are also a good substitute. Especially for seasonal and exotic fruits without compromising on the taste and quality. Frozen veggies like peas, artichokes, and corn add convenience without sacrificing on nutrients.

7. Do your grocery shopping online and pick up at the store

Most big retail stores now offer online shopping. You can order all the items in your grocery list online then have it delivered or pick it up on the store. This way is more convenient, time-saving, and you lessen the chance of impulse buying. Buying online will also come in handy when you can't follow your shopping protocols.

8. Don't be intimidated of coupons

Coupons can help you save a lot on your groceries. You don't have to clip coupons unless it is something that you would like to do. There are websites like coupons.com and thekrazycouponlady.com that features great deals that you can combine with what's on sale on your local grocery store to double up on savings.

9. Use digital coupons and apps too

Put your cellphone to use. If couponing is not your thing, you can try digital coupons and apps to enjoy the savings without having to do any extra work. Phone apps like Ibotta and Shopkick are free to download on your phone. You can use these apps to get cash backs and discounts for groceries in your local area. What's nice about Ibotta is you can get rebates on both name brand and generic store brand products. Shopkick, on the other hand, lets you earn 'kicks' or points for shopping online, in stores, and doing simple tasks like scanning barcodes. The kicks you earned can be exchanged for gift cards.

10. Check out the bulk section

Take a stroll in the bulk section of your grocery store for things you frequently use. Baking essentials, pasta, spices, and cereals are some pantry items you should buy in bulk. It is amazing how much money you can save when you buy in bulk. It may feel expensive at first, but you will save a ton in the long run.

11. Double your recipes

Cooking big meals and dividing leftovers into portions to freeze for later use can help you stretch your budget. And when you make your next month's meal plan, incorporate these ready-made meals. You can check online for inspiration. There are plenty of blogs and websites that feature inexpensive meals and how you can make different dishes using the same ingredients.

12. Avoid convenience foods

Avoid convenience food as much as possible. And no, it's not just about the pizza, pastries, or rotisserie chicken. it also applies in your ingredients.

Instead of reaching out for pre-made fancy spice mixes and rubs, make your own spice mix instead. What's great about making your own spice blend is you get to customize it and make different variations to help you diversify your dishes. Another example is cheese. Shredded cheese is more expensive, you can save some bucks if you opt to shred it yourself. Avoid buying pre-washed or pre-cut greens. You can wash and cut your own salad with minimal effort. Also, dried beans are cheaper than canned. Just soak them overnight then dump in your Instapot, slow cooker, or any pot you have and bring to boil till tender.

13. Grow an herb garden

Test out your green thumb and grow your own herb garden. Fresh herbs can cost a small fortune at the grocery. Often times, you can buy an entire plant for the same price as that of a few sprigs in the supermarket. Try growing your own herbs. It does not have to be a full-blown garden. Having potted herbs in your kitchen can be a start. They are easy to take care of and requires minimal effort to maintain.