Have you taken note of just how much you spend on groceries? Grocery shopping takes a significant share of the household income, with the healthy eating options hitting the wallet even harder. Working out a way to chip away at the total cost can help you save more from your paycheck. In this article, we’ll share some tips that will help you fill the pantry shelves with groceries without costing you too much.

• Take advantage of discount deals

The key to getting a good bargain at grocery shopping is watching out for deals and promotions. Keep an eye on sites like YoFreeSamples for real free products and coupons to get you what you want for free or at a discount. Do not shy away from asking for a discount at the grocery store, as everything is a negotiation. Check out the newspaper ads, grocery flyers, and online to see what items are on sale and take advantage of that.

• Shop in bulk

When certain fruits and vegetables are in season and overflowing at the market, take advantage of the low prices and shop in bulk. Buy fruits at different ripeness stages to avoid wastage. Keep storage and perishability in mind so what you shop for doesn’t go to waste.

Freeze and vacuum seal your groceries, or go for the canned or frozen ones that are just as nutritious. It might seem like you are spending much then, but it will save you lots as their prices go up when they go out of season. Make freezer meals if you are worried your ingredients might go bad, and save time and money on grocery shopping.

• Shop with a budget

The first step when shopping for groceries should be coming up with a shopping list and budget. A menu plan will come in handy in helping you put together a list of the things you need to buy. Online shopping stores can help you come up with cost estimates. Sticking to your shopping list will greatly help you manage your money by buying what you need and not what you see on the shelves.

• Skip the packaging

A prepackaged bag of groceries or processed food items will likely cost more compared to the unpacked ones. It will take you more time going through the pile of fruits and vegetables and picking what you want, but it will be worth it as it is cheaper, saving you some shopping money.

• Don’t shop when hungry

If you want to overspend on your shopping, shop on an empty stomach to avoid throwing unnecessary food items into your shopping basket. Eating before you go shopping may sound simple, but it can save you money.

• Shop around

If you want to save money on grocery shopping, consider trying different stores and find the one worth your time and dollar. Different grocery stores and supermarkets price their products differently, so the price of the same product might vary widely. Take your time to look around the different shops, note the price difference, and shop depending on your budget targets. Make use of the online store platforms too.

• Redefine dinner

Your dinner plans do not always have to be about big, three-course meal feasts. You can shrink your grocery budget by keeping it simple sometimes. It would greatly help if you plan your dinner with the ingredients you already have in your panty, not shop for new ones. Cookery special sections can help you come up with yummy meal plans. Whatever you do, do not let what you shopped for go to waste-use it if you buy it.

Endnote

You may not manage to apply all these tips, but trust me, even applying just one will go a long way into making a difference on your grocery budget.