Mammoth AwardsDoes it seem like more money leaves your wallet every time you leave the grocery store? You may even be buying fewer items than usual, yet that bill gets higher and higher each time. Since you can’t control the economy and the cost of goods, you’ll have to make moves to combat this inflation. Here are some of them you can start using today.
Before we jump into our list of money-saving shopping tips, it’s worth mentioning that if you haven’t applied for food stamps (SNAP) yet, do so now by going here. It can give you extra cash to buy food every month so you can keep more money in your pocket for other expenses.
1. Look at the per-ounce price.
Do you typically buy items according to their total price? Or do you automatically assume that it’s a good deal because something is sold in bulk? If so, either common mistake could cause you to miss the best deals and overpay for your items.
The best way to find the top deals is to pay attention to the per-ounce price. You can find this in small font on the shelves so you can quickly compare prices between competitors.
2. Shop at stores with bulk bins.
Speaking of bulk, there is an instance where it can lead to great deals: Bulk bins. These are a way for stores to sell items by weight, and it allows you to scoop out the exact amount of food you desire, so nothing goes to waste. Besides avoiding waste, bulk bins typically lead to lower per-unit prices due to the lack of packaging.
Find a store near you that sells food in bulk bins, and stock up to save.
3. Find salvage stores near you.
A salvage store can provide plenty of opportunities to buy items at a fraction of the cost. Salvage stores often sell canned goods and other products close to or past their “best by” dates.
While this may not sound appealing, many foods are still good past those dates, and you can save a ton of cash by buying them.
4. Avoid prepared foods.
While prepared foods are quick and convenient, they’re priced at a premium. We’re not only talking about items like pre-made sandwiches or ready-to-eat meals, either, as simply buying shredded cheese or chopped veggies can make you overpay.
Buy items in their whole forms and prepare them yourself to save big.
5. Find meat substitutes.
Your meat may be the most expensive item in your shopping basket. While we’re not suggesting you go vegetarian, finding protein-filled substitutes for your meats on certain nights can help stretch your food budget.
For instance, instead of eating costly steak several times per week, mix in eggs, canned fish, beans, etc., as substitutes. This can ensure your body gets the nourishment it needs without spending so much cash. And if you insist on eating meat every night, opt for cheaper cuts that can be used to make soups, slow-cookers, and stews that are inexpensive and can feed the whole family for multiple nights.
6. Buy dry milk.
Do you have kids? If so, you know that milk can be a major budget buster. To avoid using fresh milk for everything, keep some dry milk in your kitchen for cooking.
7. Order online.
If you find that most of your grocery bill consists of costly impulse purchases because you always shop hungry or have an insatiable sweet tooth, try ordering online. It’ll save you from mixing with crowds or waiting in line, and it can combat temptation that can drive up your bill.
