When my husband and I started our journey towards financial freedom we knew there were several areas we needed to cut down on. We set up our budget and looked for areas where we could save. One of those areas was definitely our grocery bill. We were easily spending upwards of $900 a month on groceries which was far more than our family of 3 needed to spend! We needed to save on groceries and we needed to figure out how.
Setting up a grocery budget has saved us several hundred dollars a month and we are now a family of 4! Our grocery budget also includes things like diapers, wipes, toiletries, cleaning products and cosmetics. If you can purchase it at the grocery store then we consider it part of our grocery expense. We now budget $130 a week for groceries (including all diapers and toiletry items) and have found this quite managable, following a few guidelines of course!
So, how do you save hundreds a month on groceries? Start with a budget and implement a few (or all!) of these ideas and you will be well on your way to saving on your grocery bill and maybe even cutting it in half!
Budget
If you have read my other posts then you know that I am all about setting up a budget. It is pretty hard to get on track with your expenses if you don’t know where the money is coming from and going to. If you need a great budget tool to get you started then check out this free budget template.
To give you an idea on what the average household spends on groceries, the average family of 4 in Canada spends between $800-1000 each month on groceries. This is a hefty part of one’s paycheck! Yes, we need food to live but there are SO many ways you can reduce what you spend if you do a little bit of planning.
Plan Ahead
Planning your meals in advance will help you stay on budget and keep your spending to a minimum. Planning a week or two ahead will also limit the number of times you frequent the grocery store which will also minimize spending on things you really do not need. The more times you visit the grocery store the more you are likely to pickup a few more items than you actually need. Limit your grocery store trips to just once per week and pick up what you need for that week.
Looking for some great meal planning tips? Check out the Wellness Mama’s Ultimate Guide to Meal Planning.
Pre-Order and Pick-up
If you find yourself buying way more than what is on your grocery list then consider pre-ordering your groceries. Many grocery stores now allow you to shop online and pickup. They will pack your items and have them waiting for you. No more impulse shopping! Win!
Shop No-Name Brands
There is usually always a choice between no-name products and the typical brand names. Often brand name items are more expensive but not necessarily higher quality. If you prefer some brand name items then stick to a few but try purchasing no-name products for other items. You will be surprised at how much you can save on groceries when you aren’t spending purely on brands.
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Raid Your Cupboards
Look through your cupboards and see what meals you can prepare for the week using what you already have on hand. Cut down on your grocery bill for the week by squeezing another meal or two out of what you have sitting at the back of your cupboard. Maybe you have some cans of soup or some pasta and sauce. You will be surprised at what you can muster up when you look for things you already have on hand.
Rethink your Meals
If you are use to having meat with every meal then try implementing a meatless day of the week. You can still make a tasty protein packed meal without the added expense! Try implementing beans or lentils for a fraction of the cost. You will be surprised at what you can prepare that still tastes scrumptious!
Use Rewards Programs
Many grocery stores offer a rewards program for shopping at their store. Make use of these programs to save on groceries. In Canada, the PC Optimum program allows you to save up points that equate to dollars you can put towards your groceries. I have saved hundreds of dollars throughout the year using this program. Find out more about the PC Rewards program here!
Shop in Season
Shopping for produce that is not in season is usually always far more costly. Forget buying out of season produce and stick to what is seasonal. Usually stuff that is out of season doesn’t taste great anyways! If you purchase what is in season you will save a lot of money and likely enjoy it a whole lot more!
Price Match
Often you can save money buying in bulk but this is not always the case. Bring a calculator (or smart phone!) to the grocery store and calculate the price per weight. Often items are cheaper in bulk but you have to be careful as some things are definitely not cheaper.
If you are shopping for 1-2 people then buying in bulk doesn’t make sense for some items. If you are shopping for a family of 5 then check out stores like Costco or Sam’s for family size deals. Decide what things you can use in bulk and purchase accordingly. If it is going to expire before you can use it up then reconsider those purchases.
Skip Convenience
Have you noticed how expensive pre-packaged convenience foods are? Things like lunchables, fruit and veggie trays, tv dinners, granola bars, packaged cookies and the list goes on! Often these foods are loaded with preservatives, MSG and other nasty things that we don’t want in our bodies. On top of that, they cost way more!
Skip the convenience foods and try making many of these things at home. Or, purchase these items in their natural state! Forget the veggie and fruit trays (they are always way pricier) and choose seasonal fruit and veggies. Forget the tv dinners and prepare freezer meals in advance. You may have to change how you prepare your food but it’s worth the savings!
STAY CONSISTENT!
Saving on groceries doesn’t have to be rocket science. You just need to stay consistent and shop smart. Your Grocery bill should not be eating up your paycheck if you implement some of these tips. You may just be pleasantly surprised at how much you can save if you really get down to business! Get motivated and ask your spouse or friends to help you stay on track!
Happy saving!