Smart Strategies to Slash Your Grocery Bills

If you look back to a few years ago, there's no doubt the price of your groceries was much cheaper. Rising costs have been affecting everyone in different ways, but one thing we all have to do is eat, so there's no way of getting around your weekly shop. But there are some methods that can easily help you slash your weekly grocery bills to closer to what they once were.

Find out below how to shop smarter and spend less on your next trip to the supermarket.

Learn About the Cheapest Brands Before Going to the Store

Every brand has its prices; Oreos will cost differently than Mrs Field cookies at Walmart. Rather than spending time exploring the shelves in the supermarket trying to find the lowest-cost brand, you can look it up online before you go.

Most big supermarkets will have an online directory that allows you to search for the products you want. Suppose you want fried chicken, then you can log on to the grocery store's website, type in the product name, and see the cheapest brands available.

Make a List and Stick To It

Shopping lists are an excellent tool for keeping your spending in check. They provide a clear structure, making you stick to the essentials instead of wandering into the supermarket and buying unnecessary items that often end up in the bin a few weeks later.

At first, staying on track with your list can be challenging. The temptation to grab random bits and bobs may be strong, but approach the situation with a clear goal: you’re there to buy only the essentials, nothing more, nothing less.

Take Every Online Coupon You Can Get

Grocery stores are always releasing new coupons to entice customers to buy more. It's easy to miss these promotions when you're out shopping; sometimes, you don't see the advertisement, or the person working at the counter doesn't tell you about that 2-for-1 savings deal they have for one day only. Luckily, thanks to apps like Flipp, you'll never miss a great discount.

The Flipp application releases the latest information about promotions and bargains at your preferred grocery stores. All you have to do is download the app on your phone, type in your postal code, and learn about the best special offers in your area. You'll be pocketing huge savings before you know it.

Finish What You Have Before Restocking

The next time you head out for your next shopping trip, take a moment to check what you already have in the house. You might be surprised by what’s tucked away in your cupboards. It’s easy to assume you need more, but chances are you already have some of it on hand. If you find something that’s close to going stale, just pop it in the freezer; this will extend its shelf life and help you avoid wasting food and money.

One good way to stay organized is by noting down items as you use them. For instance, when you finish the last slice of bread, just add "bread" to your list. This way, whenever it’s time to go shopping, you'll have everything you need ready to go.

Purchase in Larger Quantities Whenever You Can

If you get the opportunity to purchase certain goods in larger quantities, take the chance while you can. Oftentimes, buying in bulk is the cheapest way to go. Sure, you might not need it right now, but if it can be stored away to last or refrigerated, it's better to spend the extra few dollars at that moment rather than paying more in the future.

Don’t Stay Loyal to One Supermarket

We all like to stick by our favorite supermarkets, but sometimes, it's worth branching out and trying something new. While you might be somewhat apprehensive at first because you don't know if the quality will be the same, you can save a lot of money doing this.

By all means, if there's only one grocery store in your area, it wouldn't make much sense for you to drive somewhere else and spend more money on gas. However, for people who live in more built-up areas, you'll have much more variety, so don't be afraid to explore other options.

Keep Expensive Items for When There’s Sales

Some items in grocery stores are significantly cheaper when they’re on sale. If they’re not essentials but rather things you enjoy occasionally, it’s worth waiting until they're marked down to purchase them. Of course, this only works for items you know the store regularly discounts, but usually, waiting for the sale will save you much more money in the long run.

Avoid Shopping on an Empty Stomach

Shopping while you're hungry is never a good idea. Almost everything on the shelves will seem more tempting than it would if you'd just had a meal. When you're feeling peckish, you're much more likely to make a few impulsive buys, especially when it comes to indulgent items like chocolate bars. It’s best to eat something before heading to the grocery store to crush those temptations.

You’d be surprised at the things you might end up buying. For instance, you might tell yourself, "Just one muffin as a treat after I’m done shopping," and before you know it, that small snack can lead to a chain reaction of unnecessary purchases.

Be Strategic When Buying Meat

Look, buying good quality meat can set you back a fair whack. One piece of advice we can give the carnivores out there is to be strategic when you buy. Keep an out for yellow sticker meats, which are approaching their use-by dates; these are often cheaper as they're about to expire. Yet, when you buy them, it's only a matter of chucking them into the freezer to preserve them.

Make Big Savings on Your Grocery Bills With These Tips

The average person can’t control grocery prices, but we can adapt and manage our spending to save money. Take some time to review this list, apply the strategies, and start cutting your costs now!