Grocery shopping on a budget

As a mom I like to think I’ve mastered many skills, but grocery shopping on a budget was definitely not one of them. So, for the last few weeks, I have been learning the art of shopping according to our means. Not only am I spending less money but I’m spending less time in the grocery store each week! Check out 8 of my best shopping tips for shopping on a budget.

Tip #1:

Don’t shop on an empty stomach:

Grocery shopping when you’re hungry is like letting a toddler loose in a candy store. You end up getting distracted by things you don’t need, and more likely to make impulse purchases and bad food decisions.

Tip #2:

Plan ahead of time:

Take some time to gather dinner recipes, lunch ideas, and breakfast essentials. Look through your pantry, fridge, and freezer and make an organized list to follow. It may seem somewhat time consuming upfront but it will ultimately save you time and money in the long run.

Tips #3:

Buy canned or frozen food:

While prepackaged food get a bad rep in the health food world, sometimes you don’t want to spend $6 on a package of blueberries just because they are out of season. You can make a quick stop down the frozen aisle and grab a bag of frozen organic berries for smoothies and salads for half the cost. I highly recommend having a healthy selection of frozen or canned food on hand to keep you going between grocery trips.

Tip #4:

Stockpile:

Buying in bulk when things are on sale is a great way to save big money. Doing this with toiletries and cleaning supplies has saved us tons of money in the long haul.

Tip #5:

Don’t be afraid to use no-name brands:

More often than not, the no-name brands are just as high of quality as their expensive counterparts. Feel free to try your local store’s name brand. You may be surprised!

Tip #6:

Left overs rock!:

Save your leftovers for lunch the following day of throw it in a freezer safe bag and save it for a later date. Sometimes when weekday’s get hectic it’s a lifesaver to grab a meal out of the freezer instead of calling to order pizza. Big money saver!

Tip #7:

Say no to eating out:

By making a meal plan and sticking to it, you reduce your chances of ordering take out. Not eating out on a constant bases saves tons of money each month. Not only are the savings great, but learning how to make a new meal at home can feel 10 times more rewarding.

Tip #8:

Prepare fruits and veggies ahead of time:

If you run into the problem of throwing out expired produce each week, take the time to wash, cut, and store fruits and veggies when you get home from the store. This will ultimately cut down on prep time and helps provide healthy snack options for your family.

 

See? Grocery shopping on a budget isn’t as scary as it sounds, and with a little planning and preparation, it is possible to eat healthy for less! The key to success is to learn how to be smarter with your time and leave time for grocery shopping and meal prep during the week. The more you stick to your food budget, the better you get at it.