It’s true, going to the supermarket and buying what you need for the week isn’t as complicated as it sounds.
You go there, get what you need, and just like that, it's over. However, there are times when cravings get the best of you, leading you to spend more than planned or buy extra stuff that ends up rotting in your pantry. Here are 7 tips to reduce your grocery spending.
1. Define a budget before going to the supermarket
It may seem obvious, yet few people do it. If you struggle to make it through to the next payday, it's best to follow a budget. Knowing your spending limit can help resist the temptation of impulse buys at the supermarket.
2. Bring a list of what you need to save when grocery shopping
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Don't decide at the grocery aisle based on what you want or what cooking ideas may come to mind.
Instead, plan your meals and list ingredients that fit your lifestyle and budget to meet your eating goals, such as “eating healthier”.
Take time to go through your pantry and write down what you need. For inspiration, look up your favorite foodie’s social media feed or hunt the web for the best recipes of what you crave before going to the store.
By keeping a well-defined list, you'll notice a reduction in your total spending.
3. Think about ingredients, not food
We've discussed the benefits of learning to cook and the savings it can bring. Don't think about needing a salad, a specific sandwich, or a snack—supermarkets aren't restaurants. Make your list is based on ingredients needed to prepare the meals you like. For a pro tip, see the next point.
4. Learn to vary your favorite recipes
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Pick dishes you love and know are affordable, then learn to vary the ingredients to change the flavor and enjoy them repeatedly.
If you buy eggs, you can make scrambled eggs, fried eggs, egg frittata, eggs and ham, a Florentine omelet, mushroom omelet, and huevos rancheros.
Apply this approach to versatile ingredients like tuna and pasta to save money and enhance your cooking skills.
5. Diversify your shopping locations
The strategy is straightforward yet effective: buy everything from the right places. Supermarkets, small markets, street markets, and even wholesale markets, all of them exist for a reason: each excel in different areas.
Learn where to find the best deals for your favorite products and foods, realizing that some items are best bought in bulk monthly, others biweekly, and some every few days from the corner shop.
6. Give generic products a chance
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We all love wellknown brands, while brand loyalty is common, generic ingredients and foods often match the taste and quality of branded items at a lower cost.
The best way to discover which generic or local brand products work for you is by trying them out and testing which ones are acceptable substitutes for you.
7. Never go grocery shopping while hungry
Psychologists Aner Tal and Brian Wansink found a direct correlation between shopping on an empty stomach and being overweight.
This is because cravings heavily influence supermarket choices, often leading to impulse buys of eye-catching packaged products.
This can be avoided with a well-planned shopping list, eating before you shop, and a commitment to making healthier choices. Eating more meals at home is always better for your health and wallet.
If you want to avoid a huge bill, never go to the supermarket hungry.
