Five ways to save at the grocery store and put a little more room in your budget
When things start to get a little tight, we all know that our weekly shop is not only a vital expense we can’t go without, but it’s also the hardest thing to save money on when you don’t know how.
Cutting down on how much you buy can seem like the best way to go, but you’ll be thrilled to know that saving money doesn’t have to mean buying less.
While a payday loan may be a solution in a financial emergency, saving money on your shopping can be a great way to keep some extra cash in your pocket. Here, we’re exploring just how to save money on your food bill without having to go without.
Store Brands can Save Hundreds a Month
Every supermarket you ever visit will have its own brand. From cupboard staples like pasta and rice, to ready meals and treats, the supermarket’s own branded foods tend to be a lot cheaper than those from other companies.
Despite the lower price, however, the quality isn’t usually that different. For staple foods, there is no reason as to why you shouldn’t buy the own-brand or ‘basic’ versions and it can be a great way to save anything from a few pennies to a few dollars on your shop!
Cheap And Cheerful Supermarkets
While some might turn their nose up at cheaper supermarkets like Lidl or Aldi, the quality available in these alternatives isn’t to be overlooked and you'll save hundreds on groceries.
In fact, the food on offer here is usually of the same quality, and sometimes even higher for a much lower price. If you’re really struggling for money, there is nothing wrong with opting for the cheaper supermarkets. The buzz surrounding the quality of these stores as of late has been incredible, and is certainly worth a consideration.
Perfect Meal Planning to Save when Shopping
By planning out your meals before you go shopping and making a list from these plans that you stick to, you can not only save yourself money from food you don’t need, but you’ll also be limiting your food wastage, and even the time you spend in the supermarket.
Planning your meals this way not only saves money but will help you eat healthier on a budget because you won't be tempted to buy all the snacks.
Shop The Sale Bin at the Grocery Store
Reduced-price foods do not, by any means, mean that they are defective in any way.
In fact, you’ll often find that the only thing that has moved these foods from their original shelf to the bargain bin is their date, and if they were out of date, they would never have reached that shelf at all. Picking up a few things that you can freeze, ready to use when you need them, can be a great way to save the pennies!
Store Your Portions for Leftover Savings
Buying in bulk, cooking in bulk, and then storing away portions will all add up, and you could find yourself not needing to go shopping at all when things get tougher at the end of the month.
Having food in the freezer ready to defrost, heat up and eat will save you on cooking, washing up, and means that you always have something there to eat even when in a financial emergency.
There are countless ways to save money on your weekly food bill, from shopping the sale, to choosing a cheaper supermarket. When you don't have enough money to cover the bills, these easy budgeting ideas can make all the difference and don't mean living on scraps. Of course, your money saving methods will depend on your preferences, but with careful planning and a little flexibility with what you buy, you could find yourself saving the pounds in no time.