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Do you often wonder how can people save money on groceries? I’ll keep it real with you, I did and I still do (always looking to make changes)! If my bank account could talk, it would say “OMG, girl! Are you going grocery shopping again?! LOL.
If you’re not careful, going grocery shopping could be a trap.
Y’all I have a problem (I’m a work in progress and I have no shame admitting it). I was spending between $600 to $700 a month on groceries for a family of two! There’s no way possible that both of us were consuming that much food in one month.
- Shopping on an empty stomach
- No grocery budget
- No shopping list
- Getting a sudden case of amnesia when walking into the store. I forgot what I needed to purchase!
When I was ready to check out, buyers’ remorse would kick in and I’d ask the cashier to take off particular items the items. Nine times out of ten, those were the items that I needed. Which leads me to say that I’d end up returning to the store the very next day to pick up those items and spend, mo’ money, mo’ money, mo’ money!
Grocery shopping has to get better than this. Why spend so much at the store only to have so little in the pantry.
Being debt-free journey is the best thing that could have happened to me. I’ve scaled back in more ways than one and I’ve been able to identify those areas that need much improvement. The first area is to reduce my grocery bill. Today I want to show you 7 simple ways to save money on groceries.
1. Leave Your Significant Other At Home
Anytime my significant other goes shopping with me we blow our grocery budget. Everything entices him, the BOGO deals, the samples, the aromas of deep-fried chicken from the deli – you name it! I don’t know which is worse, for him to go shopping with me or for me to send him to the store alone. My advice is to leave your significant other at home with the kids. This will prevent him/her from wandering off and coming back with items that weren’t on the list.
2. Shop the Weekly Sales Ad
Did you know if you create your grocery list around the weekly sales ad you can save money on groceries? I had absolutely no clue. When I decided to give it a try, I was like why didn’t someone tell me? It only makes sense.
The sad part is the stores have tried to help people like me out by displaying the sales ad next to the entrance. Inside the sales ad, you can find deals for as low as 30 to 60% off the full price. Every little bit helps. Imagine how much money you can save over the course of one month. Based on the items that are on sale, you can often stock your freezer or pantry (if you’re in need of those items). By doing this you can save money on future grocery trips.
I have set up an alert on my grocery app, to alert me when the sales ad for the following week is available. This gives me the opportunity to plan ahead by creating my list early.
3. Get Cashback on Purchases
I am all about getting cash back on purchases! I’ve read some articles were individuals have stated that they clip coupons and it works for them. For me, it’s not my cup of tea. I’ve tried it and I either leave the coupons at home or I completely forget about them. Kudos to those out there who are on top of it with clipping coupons! Y’all are the real MVP!
I like to earn cashback on my purchases by using the following apps:
1. Ibotta
Although clipping coupons isn’t my thing, that doesn’t mean that I don’t love to get cash back on my purchases. This leads me to my lovefest with Ibotta! Ibotta, oh how do I love thee, let me count the ways. (1) Everything is done through their app on my phone, (2) Clipping coupons isn’t required and (3) Cashing out my earnings is extremely easy – received my earnings through PayPal instantly and (4) the app is FREE!!
Click here to sign up for Ibotta and start earning cashback today.
With Ibotta, you earn cashback on your purchases and you could potentially qualify for bonuses. There are certain requirements that must be met in order to qualify for bonuses. Such as earning an extra $5 if you redeemed 10 offers within that month.
2. Fetch Rewards
I just learned about Fetch Rewards last month and so far I like it! It’s very similar to Ibotta, however, Fetch Rewards allows you to get cash back on everyday items without adding offers to your queue like Ibotta. All you have to do is scan every grocery receipt after you shop and Fetch Rewards will find savings for you.
Interested? Use referral code PFT2H to get 2,000 points when you sign up for Fetch Rewards!
4. Shop At Multiple Stores
I can already hear the excuses:
- I don’t have the time for that?
- You’re wasting time and spending more money on gas going from one store to the other.
Remember – this is just a suggestion. If the location is not feasible for you, don’t do it. I’m not recommending going an hour out of your way, because I wouldn’t do that myself. I tend to go no more than 15 to 20 minutes away from my house.
Most of the stores in my area are basically within a few miles of each other. For those stores that aren’t centrally located, I’ll usually go on a Saturday morning to purchase the items that I need. This is convenient for me because I tend to usually do things on this particular side of town.
Try shopping at Aldi, Walmart, and Target. If your area has farmers’ markets, check them out because they have reasonable prices.
Remember, you can always check prices from home prior to going to that particular store. Doing your due diligence will help you to significantly save money on groceries.
5. Create A List and Check It Twice
Creating a list will definitely help you to save money on groceries! In fact, making a list is your roadmap as you navigate your way through the store. Back in the day, my mom would create a list and use a calculator to keep track of how much she was spending and to ensure that she stayed under budget.
Once you’re in the store make sure you stick to your list. This is why I said you will need to check it twice. The last thing you want to do is have a list and stray from it. The list is the key component to ensure that you stick to your budget!
6. Take Inventory of What’s In Your Freezer/Pantry
When shopping for groceries, have you ever questioned if you had a particular item in your freezer or pantry? I do this often.
In fact, I’m guilty of having duplicate items in my pantry because I couldn’t remember if I purchased them in the past. When creating your list, be sure to take inventory of the items that are in your freezer and pantry.
Remember that rotisserie chicken that you cut up a few weeks ago and the BOGO deal you caught a few weeks back on jasmine rice. Guess what?! It should still be in the same place you left it. Sounds like you have the basics to create a one-pot meal that consists of chicken and rice. Use what you have prior to purchasing additional items from the store. There’s no need to purchase any chicken or rice because you already have them. Let me say it one more time, there’s no point in spending additional money on items that you already have. Keep some dollars in your pocket and shop your freezer/pantry. I’m telling you, you will never realize how many meals you can make based on the items that you currently have in your kitchen.
7. Try the $5 Meal Plan
The $5 Meal Plan is a game changer! Especially if you’re a mom!
I’m a working mom of two and when I get home from work, the last thing I want to do is stress about what my family and I will be eating for dinner. The $5 Meal Plan is where it’s at. For only $5 per month, you’ll receive a weekly meal plan with meal ideas/recipes that cost $2 per person or less. That’s $60 annually to receive meals and a shopping list EVERY WEEK! The hard part has been taken care of, all you need to do is just head to the store. That’s it!
If it has anything to do with finding the time and saving money…SIGN ME UP!
I get tired of recycling those same recipes every other week, after a while it just gets old! That’s why I love the $5 Meal Plan it gives you new recipes to try that will save you money and simplify meal planning.
Interested? Click the link below to start your free 14-day trial!