How to Cut Your Grocery Bill and Make Money Go Further

You can’t help but notice how quickly food prices keep going up when you visit the supermarket. As soon as you remember one price of an item, it changes and not usually in the consumer’s favor. However, here are a few ways that can help for how to cut your grocery bill to further stretch those food dollars.

Starting With a List Can Help Cut Your Grocery Bill

What I like to do is print up some copies of what I normally buy for nonperishables and perishables first. For instance, I list all the nonperishable items I regularly use. These are things like toilet paper, tissues, dish and laundry detergents, soaps, canned vegetables, soups, sauces, baking powder, baking soda, flour, oils, salt, and other baking supplies. Perishables are the fresh foods like milk, eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, fruits, vegetables that I always keep on hand as well.

What you include on your printed list is up to you according to your family’s preferences. Keeping this list of nonperishables and perishables in a file on your computer can be updated if your tastes or diet varies.

The printed list of everything that I stock in my refrigerator and pantry makes me more efficient at food shopping since I won’t forget or overbuy when at the supermarket. With it, I check my supplies at home for what I may need and circle the nonperishable or perishables I am out of before even considering the meals I intend to prepare for the week.

Prepare a Comparison Shopping Notebook Can Help Slash Your Grocery Bill

Depending on where you shop, the prices can be different. Therefore, I keep a small notebook in my handbag to jot down the price of items I use often. For example, in my notebook I put the names of the supermarkets that I shop at and note the price of the item. This way I can keep track of the best price for that item when I do need to buy it again. After all, I do shop at all the local stores.

Revolve Your Menu for the Week Around Store Sales 

Take advantage of store sales when thinking of your weekly menu. Before you make out your grocery shopping list, you should scan the newspaper and recipe box or cookbooks to form your meal plans. Planning your meals around the store’s weekly circular will save you more money than ignoring what they offer.

Rainchecks Help Slash Your Grocery Bills

I hate the practices of some supermarkets when it comes to luring customers in with their sales. The moment you arrive, the food item magically seems to sell out. Some stores will provide a raincheck. Others, however, don’t. If the stores in your area will give you a raincheck, then take advantage of that sale price.  It can slash your grocery bill somewhat at a later time.

Boxes, Containers and Jars Can Be Deceiving for Size–Read the Label

One gripe that I really have is a company that tries to deceive consumers through packaging. You buy a can of coffee that appears to be the same 39 oz. only to find 34 oz. in the same, and unchanged can. Unless you read every label, then you may not notice until later at home.

If the manufacturer wants to shrink the size, then shrink the container accordingly instead of trying to use the same size container with a lot less inside. Yet, that would benefit consumers and not be in the best interest of their marketing.

Skip Frills for Convenience If You Hope to Slash Your Grocery Bill

We all have busy lives. Trying to balance home and career can rob us of time. Though they may save you time popping some frozen entree into the microwave or opening a package of ready made mashed potatoes to using a mix to season to make a chili, you are spending so much more than cooking something from scratch.

Cooking a meal from scratch is healthier because you have control over the ingredients. Home cooked meals also are more satisfying than a skimpy portion from a prepared dinner and far cheaper. If you don’t want to waste the time to cook during the week, then devote Saturday or Sunday to cooking some meals to reuse for later in the week. Make a big pot of chili or stew is something that will reheat well in your microwave.

Another thought is buying a bag of frozen, skinless chicken breasts to use during the week. You can always pull out a portion, a baked potato and nice salad or vegetable for an easy dinner.

Experiment With Generic Brands Can Help Slash Your Grocery Bill

Branded food products are more expensive than the plain containers associated with generic brands. Coupons and sales can make them less expensive to buy than the generic items at times.

If you want to slash your grocery bill, experiment with generic brands at your supermarkets. Some of the items will surprise you in their quality for a better price.

Take Advantage of the Seasons When Shopping Helps Cut Your Spending and Slash Your Grocery Bill

You can save money on your food bill if you buy fruits and vegetables when they are abundant and on sale. Meats such as ham for Easter to turkey for Thanksgiving come at a good price around those times. If you have a freezer, you can always buy extra to cook at a later date.

Even though the prices keep skyrocketing, it is up to us to keep up with those rising prices the best that we can. What I’m sharing here to help in how to cut your grocery bill does work because I use them all the time.