Mammoth AwardsSince prices don’t look like they’ll be going down anytime soon, use these hacks to start slashing your food bill.
Have you noticed how everything is a lot more expensive at the grocery store? If so, it’s not an illusion, as the price of food and even the gas to get to the store is out of control. Rising prices mean that your dollars don’t go as far as they used to, and you may need to cut back on your purchases to stay within your budget. To keep yourself from having to cut back, try these money-saving hacks:
1. Buy a reusable water bottle.
You can keep refilling it with water to save cash versus buying bottled water that’s much more expensive.
2. Skip the middle of the store.
The middle aisles are packed with expensive processed foods that are costly and worse for your health. If you skip those middle aisles, you can see significant savings while making fewer impulse purchases for goodies like chips, cookies, soda, and the like. Stick to whole foods near the perimeter of the store, and you’ll see a change in your budget, health, and even appetite, as processed foods are loaded with ingredients that make you hungrier and cause cravings.
3. Pay attention to the unit price.
Just because the overall cost of something is lower doesn’t mean it’s the better buy. To skip complicated calculations and pick the best deal, look at the unit price of the shelf to find the cheapest option.
4. Get your favorite store’s app.
Most large grocery store chains now have their own apps that you can download to shop with ease and score significant savings. Download yours to see what’s on sale, so you never overpay.
5. Ignore limits on sale items.
Some stores place limits on sale items because they think there will be a shortage. If you see a sale that says “Limit two per customer,” pick up more to stack your savings. Chances are, you’ll get away with it.
6. Avoid frequent shopping.
The more you shop, the more you’ll spend. Instead of going to the store two or three times a week, go once a week with a list. Stick to that list to avoid impulse purchases and only buy what you need. If you feel like going less often will leave your kitchen unstocked, it probably won’t, as you can start using food that’s been untouched for months to avoid waste.
7. Go to farmers’ markets late.
Sellers at farmers’ markets usually want to get rid of what they have. Keeping this in mind, you can save on produce by going to the market just before it closes, as many sellers will offer deep discounts to get rid of their inventory.
8. Stop buying chicken parts.
Instead of buying breasts or wings, buy the whole chicken. It’ll result in more meals while costing less per pound.
9. Don’t walk the entire store.
Do you shop by walking up every aisle to make sure you don’t miss anything? If so, that’s a great way to bloat your bill, as it can lead to impulse purchases and buying stuff you don’t need. As mentioned, always shop with a list and stick to it by only going to sections with the stuff you planned to buy.
