You shouldn’t break the bank on grocery shopping because, with a bit of planning and some savvy strategies, you can keep your food budget in check without sacrificing quality. You might be surprised to know that It’s possible to cut grocery bills by 90 percent, but only when you’ve got the right approach and strategies. 

Because of inflation, prices are increasing everywhere, including clothing, furniture, and, most importantly, food essentials, which is the basic human need. But that doesn’t mean you’ve to invest all your money in groceries, especially when there are ways to save money on a tight budget, including groceries. 

In this article, I’ve shared tips that will help you save money while enjoying nutritious and delicious meals, so no compromising on food quality. I’ve also included why you should focus on meal planning and build smart shopping habits. Most importantly, I’ve shared 30 strategies you can implement to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. 

This practical advice can be easily implemented in your shopping routine, and you can easily stick to your budget and avoid impulse buying. 

 

How to Save Money on Groceries

It’s time to say goodbye to those hefty grocery bills and say hello to a more budget-friendly shopping experience. Just follow these simple tips as much as possible; they’ll surely help you save a lot and help you cut grocery bills in half at least. 

1. Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time

My first choice is planning. It’s a key that will help you stop impulse buying. You can simply make a weekly menu depending on what you’re going to cook or how much you’ll spend; even people make a monthly meal plan, but I don’t want to give you a headache, so weekly is a good choice. 

However, your meal plan should be based on what you already have in your pantry and fridge; maybe you’d have bought something during an offer or sale or in bulk. 

Meal planning apps can simplify your process of making a plan or organizing meals and grocery lists. If you’re planning ahead, you’ll avoid last-minute trips to the store where the probability of buying unnecessary and expensive items is high, especially things like vegetables. 

 

2. Shop with a List (And Stick to It)

Shopping with a list is one of the simplest ways to control your grocery spending. Next time when you want to visit a grocery store, spend a few minutes making a list of necessary items for your weekly meal plan. 

More importantly, you must avoid non-essential items on your list. This list will help you stick to your budget and focus only on what you need rather than what you want. 

If you don’t like making a grocery list, then try to buy groceries online; there are already many grocery delivery apps out there where you can easily review and adjust your list before finalizing your purchase.

 

3. Buy in Bulk for Non-Perishable Items

Another thing that’ll surely work in reducing your grocery budget is buying non-perishable items in bulk. You can buy some things like Pasta, Rice, Oil, etc, in large quantities, because it’ll reduce the cost per unit. 

You can even visit a warehouse for bulk deals or use any online retailers. However, you have to make sure that you have adequate storage space, plus buy only what you’ll use before they expire. 

Bulk buying is a great way to save on essentials. My mom does that, so I’m recommending it to you. She sometimes even buys vegetables from the farmer’s market and stores them in the fridge (Mostly seasonal cause they’re cheap). Another recommendation is to use price comparison websites to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

 

4. Use Coupons and Cashback Apps

I know it because I’ve done it a lot of times in the past, like collecting coupons and using them to get some cash back, and I still do that, not just with groceries but also when buying other things. 

Therefore, if you want to save money on groceries, you can use coupons and cashback apps to help you lower your grocery bill. 

Some famous websites like Coupons.com and apps like Ibotta can help you get discounts on a wide range of products. You can even use them together to maximize your discounts. 

To get a cashback, you can simply upload your receipt on a cashback app after purchasing items like groceries and earn money back. 

 

5. Shop Seasonal Produce

You can opt for seasonal groceries like vegetables and fruits. They’re not just fresher but also cheaper during the season. Just like my mom, you can also visit a farmer’s market or local produce stand. If you’re getting good deals on that, then buy in bulk and store them in the fridge.

Adding seasonal items to your weekly meal plan will definitely cut your grocery bill in half. I’ve given below what you can buy during the season, as they’re more affordable during that time.

Spring (March to May)

Fruits:
  1. Strawberries
  2. Pineapples
  3. Rhubarb
  4. Apricots
  5. Cherries
Vegetables:
  1. Asparagus
  2. Artichokes
  3. Peas
  4. Spinach
  5. Radishes

 

Summer (June to August)

Fruits:
  1. Peaches
  2. Watermelon
  3. Blueberries
  4. Raspberries
  5. Plums
Vegetables:
  1. Tomatoes
  2. Zucchini
  3. Cucumbers
  4. Bell Peppers
  5. Corn

 

Fall (September to November

Fruits:
  1. Apples
  2. Grapes
  3. Pears
  4. Figs
  5. Pomegranates

Vegetables:

  1. Pumpkins
  2. Sweet Potatoes
  3. Brussels Sprouts
  4. Cauliflower
  5. Beets

 

Winter (December to February)

Fruits:
  1. Oranges
  2. Grapefruit
  3. Clementines
  4. Kiwi
  5. Persimmons
Vegetables:
  1. Winter Squash (e.g., Butternut, Acorn)
  2. Kale
  3. Carrots
  4. Leeks
  5. Brussels Sprouts

 

save money on groceries

6. Buy Store Brands Instead of Name Brands

Generic brands are good, too, when your aim is to save money; they’re almost equally good as name-brand brands but at a fraction of the cost.

Many grocery stores offer their own brands that often match the quality of more expensive name brands. However, if you’re buying something from a generic brand, you want to make sure you’re getting ingredients and quality that are similar to top brands. 

When it comes to groceries, I’ve found one thing: my mother buys rice from both places, from branded and non-branded shops. No brands were cheaper, and brands were expensive. 

But what I noticed is that the brands were clean, packed, and of good quality. On the other hand, non-branded rice was of good quality, too, but not as clean as branded, and they weren’t packed, either. That means when my mom was buying branded rice, she was being charged for packing, cleanliness, marketing, labor costs, etc, and still she had to wash them again. 

After that, she bought good quality rice from generic brands at a more affordable price, and that too in bulk, washed them, and cooked them. She didn’t pay the indirect cost of packing, marketing, cleaning, labor, etc.

Therefore, if you like this idea, you can also switch to store brands and start reducing a significant amount on your grocery bill without compromising on taste and quality. Even though it’s a simple and small change, it can leave a big impact on your savings account; in my opinion, it’s a worthwhile strategy for budget-conscious shoppers.

 

7. Avoid Pre-Packaged and Pre-Cut Foods

I know that pre-packaged and pre-cut foods are usually convenient, but they’re expensive, too. I’m saying it from my experience: buying watermelon, mango, or another thing and cutting it myself was cheaper than buying pre-sliced pieces. 

And it’s because they’ll charge the cutting cost, while if you’ve time, I’d recommend you buy them and cut yourself. If you’re too busy and have a lot of money to waste or if you’ll make more money than spending time cutting fruit and vegetables, then you can consider pre-packaged or pre-cut products. 

Otherwise, focus on whole vegetables and fruits, which are less expensive than pre-cut counterparts. By spending a little time on your own food prep, you’ll save money and enjoy fresher ingredients because nobody knows when pre-cut products are packed.

 

8. Shop with a Full Stomach

Don’t shop, especially food items, when you’re hungry because you may make some Impulse purchases and end up buying things you don’t even need. Because with a hungry stomach, everything looks mouthwatering and appealing. 

Therefore, if you’re going to visit a grocery store, make sure you’ve eaten well. Taking this simple step can help you stick to your list and make more rational choices. So, by doing so, you’re saving money and keeping your grocery bill under control.

 

9. Use a Loyalty Program 

Many grocery stores have loyalty programs that give their customers some benefits, such as discounts and rewards points. Therefore, you can sign up for these programs if you want to take advantage of special offers. 

Mostly, you’ll also get reward points on online grocery purchases, and once you’ve enough points, you can use them to buy something else for free. It’s a simple but strategic way to maximize your savings. Moreover, some grocery stores also offer special deals to their loyal customers to maintain their relationship. 

 

10. Compare Prices Between Stores 

We know that all grocery stores don’t have the same prices for the same items. Therefore, I recommend using a price comparison website or app to check prices before you shop. 

This shopping technique will help you know which store is currently offering the best deals on their products. Especially if you don’t have a problem buying things from multiple stores, you can use price-comparing techniques, Which will surely save a significant amount on your grocery bill.

 

11. Shop at Discount Stores

Another way of saving money on groceries is shopping from stores that offer lower prices on a variety of products. I personally like Dollar Tree and Aldi because they give discounts when buying groceries and help save money, even more than shopping from traditional supermarkets. 

Another tip you can implement is to focus on items like canned goods, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable items when you’re shopping at discount stores. 

Because you can buy them in bulk, plus they often have lower prices. But you can’t find everything you may need, so keep an eye on the store. Whenever you find something that you need at a lower price, just buy it, and if you can store it properly, then buy it in bulk. 

 

12. Avoid Shopping When You’re Tired

As I’ve said before, you shouldn’t buy things, especially like groceries, when you’re hungry, just like that you shouldn’t also buy when you’re tired, because sometimes you can’t make a good decision and will buy things you don’t even need.

Fatigue is one of the reasons why people make impulsive buys, and if you want to avoid this, then make a schedule before your grocery trips and rest well to stay alert.

If you’ve got time, then make shopping a part of your routine so that it doesn’t interfere with your daily activities. This simple thing will surely help you make better choices and stick to your budget.

 

13. Check Unit Prices

It’s a small thing you can focus on, but it’s important when you are trying to save money on groceries. You should always check the unit price to get an idea of the best value for your money.

Usually, you can find it on shelf tags, and you can compare it across different brands and package sizes; you can also use price-comparing apps and websites. 

By doing so, you can easily find out the most cost-effective options and then avoid overpaying for smaller quantities. Unit pricing is especially useful when you’re buying things in bulk or choosing between similar products. That’s where people save most of their money. 

 

14. Buy Frozen Instead of Fresh

Frozen foods are cheaper than their fresh counterparts and can be just as nutritious but not as fresh. Items like vegetables, fruits, and even meat are typically less expensive when frozen. 

You can buy frozen items if your overall aim is to save money for your future, but if you’re health conscious and prioritize it, then I’d recommend buying fresh items; you can buy them in bulk and store them in a fridge or an airtight container, depending on items. 

The good thing about frozen foods is that they have a longer shelf life, which plays an important role in reducing waste and helps you manage your food budget more effectively, but remember, they’re not as fresh neutrinos as fresh. 

So it’s completely your choice whether you want to incorporate frozen items into your meal prep to save money or not; there are both advantages and disadvantages.

 

15. Use Leftovers Wisely

Never let the leftovers go to waste because it’s a great way to stretch your grocery budget further. Instead of throwing away leftover meals, you can turn it into another delicious dish. For example, here are some dishes that can be easily turned into another mouth watering dish:

Roast Chicken

If you’ve cooked classic roast chicken with herbs and vegetables and still have leftovers, then you can make chicken salad by mixing it with mayonnaise, celery, and grapes for a better taste. Besides this, you can also make chicken soup using leftover chicken meat and bones.

 

Baked Ham

If you’ve baked a ham with a glaze and have leftovers, then congrats, you have an opportunity to turn it into a ham sandwich by thinly slicing the ham and adding some cheese mustard for a tasty meal. Besides this, you can make ham and bean soup by just dicing the leftover ham and adding it to a pot of beans.

 

Meatloaf

If you’ve cooked a traditional meatloaf with ground beef, onions, spices, etc, and still have leftovers. It’s an opportunity to turn it into meatloaf sandwiches by slicing the meatloaf and serving it on bread with your favorite condiments. Besides this, you can crumble the leftover meatloaf to use as a filling for meatloaf tacos with salsa and cheese.

 

Mashed Potatoes

If you’ve made some creamy mashed potatoes, then you can create potato pancakes by mixing the mashed potatoes with egg and flour and then frying them until they’re crispy (Tasty). Another option is to use the mashed potatoes as a topping for shepherd’s pie filled with ground meat and vegetables.

 

Pasta with Marinara Sauce

If you’ve cooked another common meal like spaghetti or other pasta with marinara sauce and have leftovers, you can make a baked pasta dish by layering the leftover pasta with cheese and baking it until bubbly. Moreover, you can also mix the pasta with eggs and cook it in a skillet to create a pasta frittata.

 

Grilled Steak

If you’ve grilled steak and have leftovers, you can make a steak salad; the process is pretty simple: just slice the steak thinly and serve it over a bed of greens with a vinaigrette dressing. Another way to use this leftover is to use it for steak tacos, adding tortillas, salsa, and guacamole for extra flavor (Your choice if you wanna add or not).

 

Chili

If you’ve cooked a hearty chili with beans, ground beef, and spices and have leftovers, you can create chili nachos by spreading tortilla chips on a baking sheet, topping them with chili and cheese, and baking until melted. Another option is to use it for stuffed bell peppers with leftover chili and bake them for another satisfying meal.

 

Roast Vegetables

if you’ve roasted root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions and still have the leftovers, you can puree the roasted vegetables and thin them with broth to make a simple vegetable soup. Another idea is to add the roasted vegetables to beaten eggs and bake them for a flavorful vegetable frittata.

 

Turkey

If you’ve cooked a roast turkey and have leftovers, you can make a turkey pot pie by using the leftover turkey and gravy as a filling. Besides this, you can shred the leftover turkey and use it as a filling for turkey quesadillas with cheese and salsa.

 

Rice Pilaf

If you’ve prepared rice pilaf with broth and herbs and have leftovers, you can stir-fry the leftover rice with vegetables, soy sauce, and an egg to make fried rice (It’s one of my favorite dishes, btw). Another option is to mix the rice with ground meat and stuff it into bell peppers for a hearty stuffed pepper dish.

There are many more options available to transform leftovers into completely new recipes; I’ve mentioned just a few because I like them. More importantly, you’re not just saving money by using leftovers but also showing respect towards food. 

However, don’t forget to store leftovers properly in an airtight container to keep them fresh, and more importantly, just make sure to use them within a few days to avoid spoilage. Also, they lose flavor when keeping leftovers for a very long time.

 

16. Shop Less Frequently

Shopping frequently is another reason why people spend more money on unnecessary things; therefore, if you want to avoid impulse buying behavior, you must stop shopping frequently. 

You can plan your grocery trips to cover a longer period, like once in two weeks or a month; it’ll help you reduce the temptation of frequent visits. If you’re going once every two weeks or a month, you can buy groceries in bulk and plan your meals.

It’s a simple but useful approach that helps you save money by reducing the chances of buying unnecessary items.

 

17. Grow Your Own Herbs and Vegetables

It’s my favorite recommendation, and I want every savvy person to follow it. If you’ve got a rooftop, backyard, etc., you can do gardening and grow your own vegetables, herbs, and fruits. It’s really easy to grow them.

Here are some fruits, herbs, and vegetables that can grow quickly in your small garden and help reduce grocery costs and save money:

Fruits

  • Strawberries: 4-6 weeks from flowering to harvest 
  • Raspberries: 4-6 weeks after flowering
  • Blueberries: 2-3 years to produce, but established plants bear fruit annually in 2-3 months
  • Blackberries: 1-2 years to produce, with fruit maturing in 60-70 days after flowering
  • Figs: 2-3 years to bear fruit, with harvest in late summer/fall
  • Dwarf Apples: 2-3 years to produce, with fruit ripening in 3-4 months after flowering
  • Dwarf Peaches: 2-3 years to produce, with fruit maturing in 4-5 months
  • Grapes: 2-3 years to bear fruit, with clusters maturing in 2-3 months
  • Lemons (in pots): 1-2 years to bear fruit, with lemons maturing in 6-9 months
  • Mulberries: 1-2 years to produce, with fruit maturing in 1-2 months after flowering

 

Herbs

  • Basil: 4-6 weeks 
  • Mint: 6-8 weeks
  • Cilantro: 3-4 weeks
  • Parsley: 10-12 weeks
  • Chives: 6-8 weeks
  • Oregano: 6-8 weeks
  • Thyme: 6-8 weeks
  • Dill: 4-6 weeks
  • Sage: 8-10 weeks
  • Rosemary: 8-12 weeks

 

Vegetables

  • Tomatoes: 60-100 days 
  • Radishes: 3-4 weeks
  • Lettuce: 6-8 weeks
  • Spinach: 4-6 weeks
  • Zucchini: 6-8 weeks
  • Green Beans: 50-60 days
  • Peppers (Bell and Hot): 60-90 days
  • Cucumbers: 50-70 days
  • Carrots: 70-80 days
  • Kale: 55-75 days

These are some simple things you can grow in a small garden to save money. When you’re growing food for yourself, you’re not just reducing your grocery bill, but you’ll also get satisfaction.

If you’re a beginner, you can start with easy-to-grow plants and gradually expand your garden as you gain experience. Most things that I’ve mentioned above are a little easier to grow and don’t take too much time.

 

18. Avoid Buying Bottled Water and Beverages

Bottled water and beverages are usually costly, but it’s okay to buy them if you’ve forgotten to bring them from home. However, buying them from outside regularly isn’t a good choice. I recommend you invest in a reusable water bottle and a water filter if needed. 

If you do so, you’re not just reducing grocery bills but also helping reduce plastic waste, which is really important in this 21st century. 

If you’re fond of beverages like soda or juice, consider making your own at home. It’s another way of reducing grocery costs. Besides this, making flavored water by infusing it with fruits and herbs is a good choice. You can also use a soda maker to create fizzy drinks.

Making your own beverages is not just a cheaper choice but also good for your health and more customizable than buying pre-made options.

 

19. Take Advantage of Store Promotions and Sales

Another opportunity to save money on groceries is the store promotions and sales, but you’ve to approach the stores strategically. 

Firstly, you can plan your shopping around some good deals and stock up on items that you use frequently and are necessary when they’re on sale. And avoid unnecessary things that you don’t use frequently.

You can use store circulars and apps to stay informed about upcoming sales and promotions, especially during any festival.

 

20. Utilize Cashback Credit Cards

Another nice way to save money on groceries is using a cashback credit card for grocery purchases because it can help you save some money. 

You can choose a card that offers cashback rewards on grocery spending, but make sure to pay off the balance in full each month to avoid interest charges because our goal is to save money, not pay in interest. 

Cashback cards offer mostly 1% to 5% rewards on grocery purchases. 

 

21. Join Grocery Store Loyalty Programs

Many grocery stores offer loyalty programs that provide exclusive discounts, coupons, and rewards points to loyal customers only or those who are new to make them permanent customers. Therefore, you can also sign up for these programs, which can help you save over time. 

Some loyalty programs offer members access to special sales and promotions, so you can also use your loyalty card or app whenever you go to the grocery or any other shop. 

 

22. Avoid Shopping for Non-Grocery Items at the Supermarket

You can easily find non-grocery items like household supplies in supermarkets; shop owners do that to make their customers impulse purchases, which are commonly more expensive specialty stores and discount retailers.

If you want to save money, buy non-grocery items like cleaning products, personal care items, and household supplies from discount stores or online. So next time, when you’re going to buy groceries, just stick to the list, and don’t buy non-grocery items from there. It’s a simple but effective strategy to save money. 

 

23. Purchase Whole Foods and Cook from Scratch

Whole foods and home-cooked meals are the best combination for saving money, and also it’s more affordable and healthier than processed and pre-packaged foods. 

You can start cooking at home, where you have full control over ingredients, and most importantly, you’re eating healthier and fresher foods because, according to AFFI (American Frozen Food Institute), 90 percent of foods served by food operators are frozen, so they aren’t as healthy as fresh food. 

Plus, they’re a bit more expensive. Therefore, I prefer cooking at home using some basic ingredients that can be both nutritious and budget-friendly. For example, you can make your own sauces, soups, and baked goods to save money.

 

24. Reduce Meat Consumption 

Undoubtedly, Meat might be one of the most expensive items on your grocery list. Therefore, you can decrease meat consumption and start using more plant-based meals as they’re cheap and lower your grocery costs. 

No matter how many times you’re consuming meat in a week, 2, 3, or 4 days, just try to decrease it and use a plant-based diet, and you can put that money in a savings account or stock market. I know it’s a small amount, and you might be thinking, what can I achieve by saving those bucks? So keep in mind that many drops make a mighty ocean. 

I know protein is really important for our diet, but meat isn’t the only source of protein, and I’m not saying to be Vegan; just reduce the consumption to save money; you can use beans, lentils, or tofu as protein sources. 

These alternatives of protein are affordable and cheaper than meat, even if you eat meat more frequently than consider buying it in bulk and putting it in your fridge. 

 

25. Use a Freezer to Store Leftovers and Bulk Purchases

A freezer is really important when trying to figure out how to save money on groceries because it can help you manage grocery expenses. 

For example, I’ve already mentioned leftovers and buying items in bulk a couple of times, especially during the season. A fridge can increase the shelf life of leftovers, other bulk vegetables, and fruits. And reduce food wastage. 

You can take out meals and store them in airtight containers or freezer bags for easy access. By doing that, you’re not just saving money but avoiding the last-minute run for groceries and impulse buying on a hungry stomach. 

 

26. Avoid Buying Items Just Because They’re on Sale

I’ve said earlier that you’ve to buy items that are in sale or you get a discount on them, but it doesn’t mean you buy everything in sales because it’s a waste of money when you are buying something you don’t even need, but if it’s discounted. 

So buy only what you need on sale if they fit into your meal plan and are things you will use in the future. But make sure you’ll use that before it expires. You should stay focused on things you really need and relevant sales rather than impulse buys. It’ll help you save money and stick to your budget.

 

27. Plan for Snacks and Convenience Items

You can plan for snacks and other convenience items to prevent overspending on unhealthy options like fast food, which aren’t good for your health. Instead of buying pre-packaged snacks, you can consider making your own snacks at home, which are better and cheaper. 

You can make snack-sized portions of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and homemade granola bars. It’s a simple and nice approach that helps you save money on groceries, plus keeps you healthy and self-satisfied. Moreover, when you buy snacks from outside, you don’t know how they are made and packed. 

On the other hand, when you’re making cookies at home, you have the choice of how long you want to keep them, a week or two. 

 

28. Use a Price Book

A price book is a handy tool that you can use to track the prices of items you buy frequently. You can record the prices of items at different stores and note any sales or discounts. 

It’s a simple method that will help you identify the best times to buy some specific products and recognize when you’re getting a good deal (Remember only necessary items). A price book will help you make good decisions and take advantage of the lowest prices available on groceries.

 

29. Buy Expiring Items at a Discount

Many times, my mom goes to the market when it’s getting close; for example, if she wants to buy vegetables or fruits, she doesn’t go in the morning, but rather she prefers going in the evening time because, at that time, she gets more than 20 percent discount on food items. 

Similarly, you can also buy items that are about to expire because they’re a bit cheaper. You can take advantage of these discounts on products that you can use soon or freeze for later, but make sure to use them before they expire. 

You can also talk to store employees to find out about upcoming markdowns. It’s the time when they sell items at a discount, so you can save money here, too.

 

30. Participate in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Some places, like Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, allow people to buy a share of a farm’s produce in advance and mostly at a lower price. In return, people receive a weekly or bi-weekly supply of fresh, seasonal produce. 

Through Community Supported Agriculture programs, you can save money on groceries because you can buy seasonal fresh produce and support local farmers. 

Besides this, you’ll get many different types of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the growing season.

 

Conclusion 

If you want to save money on groceries, you just need to make some decent plans, develop smart shopping habits, and make strategic decisions. 

You can implement these 30 simple tips that will surely help you reduce your grocery expenses without sacrificing quality and nutrition. 

Using coupons, buying groceries in bulk, and avoiding pre-packaged foods are also good choices; each tactic I’ve mentioned contributes to a more budget-friendly grocery shopping experience. But keep in mind that you should follow only what works best for you and your family, and you can make adjustments if needed.

Moreover, consistency is important to succeed in any field; therefore, you must incorporate these practices into your routine, and trust me, you’ll see growth in your savings account in the long term. 

 

FAQs

Here are some more important questions that can help you a lot when you’re trying to figure out the best money-saving tips on groceries. 

 

How can I start meal planning if I’ve never done it before?

I know, to some people, meal planning seems overwhelming in the beginning. Therefore, I suggest you start with a simple approach that can make it manageable. Initially, you can choose easy recipes for the week and create a grocery list based on the ingredients needed.

You can also use a meal planning app or just make a physical planner to organize your meals if you don’t want to invest in an app, although both free and paid are available. However, gradually, you can adjust your plan based on what works best for your schedule and preferences. Once you start getting comfortable, you can also experiment with more complex recipes and strategies.

 

Are store brands really worth switching to?

Of course, they are! Store brands are worth spending money on them. Mostly, they also offer quality similar to that of name brands but at a lower cost.

You might be surprised to know that many store brands are also produced by the same manufacturers as name brands, but the quality might be a little different. 

And if you want to determine which store brand is a good choice, you can consider comparing ingredient lists and nutritional information. So, switching to store brands can really help you save on your grocery bill.

 

What should I do if I can’t stick to my grocery list?

If sticking to your grocery list is a bit challenging in the beginning, then you can try a few different strategies to improve discipline, although in the beginning, don’t try to stick to grocery planning if it’s hard. 

For example, I’ve said to try to eat less meat; suppose you eat meat five times a week, and you can’t give up easily, so you should start eating four times, then 3, and so on, gradually you’ll get familiar with it.

You can also shop online from Amazon or use a grocery delivery service, which can help you stick to your list and prevent you from impulse purchases. More importantly, you can review your list and budget before shopping. 

 

How can I effectively use coupons and cashback apps?

If you want to take advantage of coupons and cashback apps, you start collecting them and organizing relevant offers before visiting a shop. You can find coupons in newspapers, online, or through store apps. Besides this, you can use apps to link your store loyalty cards and upload receipts as required. 

 

Is growing my own food a cost-effective option?

Of course, growing your own food is a cost-effective option, even if you love eating your own food because it’s satisfying. You can grow herbs, fruits, and vegetables that you use frequently and are easy to grow, but they don’t take enough time. 

However, Initially, growing food might be a little costlier because you’ll have to invest in seeds, soil, and other gardening equipment, but in the long term, you’ll get benefits and satisfaction from growing your own produce.

I'm Abraham, founder of Freedom With Dollars. Reading and writing about personal finance have been my passion for the past 4-5 years. I’m here to share my personal experiences and everything I've learned to help others improve their financial knowledge. While I'm not a financial advisor, I provide insights gained from books, podcasts, news, blogs, influencers, and my own experience.