How To Save Money on Groceries

Groceries can put a huge damper in your paycheck, especially if you have a large family to feed. But if you know what you’re doing you could find yourself saving hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year on groceries with the proper planning and calculations.

If you’re sick and tired of half of your paycheck going towards food and beverages for your family, here are eight tips on how you can save money on groceries the next time you go shopping:

1.      Buy bulk

This point may seem fairly obvious, but it can’t be stressed enough. Purchasing bulk items may be expensive for a one-time trip to the grocery store, but the food could last you weeks or even months if you use the bulk items wisely.

2.      Purchase store brands

Sure the quality might not be as great, but store brands are usually a lot cheaper than the most common and popular brands, so keep this in mind before you head out to the grocery store.

3.      Go coupon crazy

Check out your favorite store’s weekly or monthly flyers for coupons and deals, or check out sites like www.coupons.com, valpack.com, eversave.com, redplum.com and smartsource.com to print off coupons directly from your computer.

4.      Join your store’s affinity program

If you sign up to become a member at your favourite store, you could be offered a ton of deals on groceries and other items. Some stores have a point system so the more money you spend, the more points you collect, and the more you save.

5.      Reduced to clear

Some stores have a “reduced to clear” section or aisle so you can save a ton of money on a variety of different items. Of course most of the items are reduced because they are about to expire, so be prepared to cook the items as soon as you purchase them.

6.      Don’t shop hungry

Going grocery shopping on an empty stomach is one of the biggest “no-no’s” when it comes to overspending on groceries.

7.      Bring a calculator

Sometimes it can be difficult to keep track of all the costs in your shopping cart, so one of the best ways around this is to bring a calculator so you can keep track of your expenses while you’re shopping.

8.      Farmer’s markets

If you have some extra time on the weekend, then research into the different farmer’s markets in your area. Not only will you save a ton of money on fresh fruits and veggies and other items, you will also be supporting the local community as well.