How to Save Money on Groceries When You Think You Can’t
I don’t think that I need to tell you that groceries are expensive. In fact, they can be the second biggest expense that a family has in their budget. Learning how to save on groceries can be a chore if you’re not used to it, but it doesn’t have to be. One of the most common misconceptions about saving on groceries is that you must use coupons to do so. That isn’t always true. Even if you’ve hit a savings ceiling and you think you can’t save anymore on food than you currently are, you can.
How to Save Money on Groceries When You Think You Can’t
Use online stores to find deals
You would be surprised at the number of grocery deals that you can find online at stores like Amazon. With programs like Subscribe & Save and Amazon’s Prime Pantry, you can often save more on groceries by purchasing online than in a brick and mortar store.
Make as much as you can homemade
Aside from the fact that most processed foods really aren’t good for your health, they can be extremely expensive. By making everything that you can homemade, you’ll save on your grocery bill. The majority of the ingredients that you will need to buy are cheaper and will save you so much money in the long run that you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them homemade before.
Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk can be another great way to save money on groceries without coupons, but you’ll need to be careful though that you don’t end up paying more per item or unit than you would be buying a smaller package. Not all items are good deals when you buy them in bulk, but usually, things like cheese, toilet paper, and especially meat can be bought in bulk at a great price for huge savings from places like Costco or Sam’s Club.
Start menu planning
Ask any mom and they’ll tell you that menu planning for a busy mom is a lifesaver. It can save you money in a lot of different ways but the main one is that since you always know what you’re eating, you can watch the sales ads for sales. This is especially important if you’re looking to save money on gluten-free foods or foods for another special diet. By shopping the sales, you can always pick up what you will need for a cheaper amount than what you would pay if you have to pay regular price. Don’t forget to check out my Busy Mom’s Guide To Meal Planning eBook for more tips!
Combine menu planning with freezer cooking
If you’re not already freezer cooking, you should be! Combining menu planning with freezer cooking is not only an amazing time saver but also a huge money saver. Once you build up your freezer inventory, you’re free to not shop for a certain time period saving yourself money. You’re also less likely to order out which saves you even more! I even recommend you invest in a Food Saver to help keep your freezer meals even more fresh for longer.
Organize your pantry
If your pantry is disorganized, I can guarantee that you’re spending more than you need to be. Groceries get pushed to the back to be forgotten, foods expire without being used and so on. By organizing your pantry, you will know exactly what you have and won’t be wasting money on something you already own. This goes for your fridge and freezer too. You don’t have to spend a lot to organize them, but you do need to do so. We have tons of great tips on the organization of your home to check out including ones specific for Organizing Your Pantry.
Don’t miss out on savings by thinking the only way is to coupon or skip out on your favorite foods. Use our tips for how to save on groceries to stay in budget while feeding your family their favorite foods!