Fight the Inflation: How to Grocery Shop on a Budget

Are you feeling the pinch of inflation? Grocery prices have been steadily rising, and it can be tough to keep your spending in check.

But with a little bit of knowledge and planning, you can slash your grocery bill without sacrificing your quality of life.

Here are a few tips to get started:

1. Make a list and stick to it.
2. Compare prices before you buy.
3. Find creative ways to save on staples.
4. Don’t be afraid to buy in bulk.
5. Take advantage of sales and coupons.
6. Eat healthy and cook at home.
7. Store food properly to extend its shelf life.

Crafting a Grocery Shopping List

@stephgrassodietitian

This method saves me tons of $$ and trips to the grocery store #dietitian #groceryshopping #mealplan #mealprep

♬ Pennies From Heaven – Remastered – Louis Prima

The best way to save while grocery shopping is to create a list and stick to it. When you head to the store without a plan, you’re more likely to buy things you don’t need—like those extra snacks or that expensive bottle of wine.

But when you have a list, you’re more mindful of what you’re buying and how much it’s costing. You can also make sure that you’re getting the most for your money by planning meals around what’s on sale.

And don’t forget to include basics like milk, eggs, and bread on your list! These items tend to be staples in most households, so it’s important to have them on hand.

Make Meal Plans to Save Money

Making a meal plan is one of the easiest ways to slash your grocery bill. When you make a plan, you’re able to strategically choose items that fit within your budget.

@malloryhudsonxo

How to meal plan & save MONEY!💗 #mealplanning #mealplan #mealplanninghack #mealplantips #mealplanningonabudget

♬ just like magic – Ariana Grande

And, you’re less likely to make “quick runs” to the store, which can quickly derail your budget.

Meal planning can also save you an average of $1600 per year, here’s a great article by moneyforthemamas to help you start.

That’s a lot of money that can be put towards other things, like savings or bills.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to meal planning, there are plenty of resources available online.

You can find templates and planners that fit your specific needs. Or, you can find whole books devoted to the topic.

The most important thing is to get started and be consistent with it.

Navigate Bulk Shopping for Savings

When it comes to saving money on groceries, buying in bulk is one of the most common tips. But it can be tricky to navigate, especially if you’re not sure what to look for.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re bulk shopping:

• Look for discounts on non-food items. Most stores offer discounts on things like toilet paper, shampoo, and other household items when you purchase them in bulk.
• Buy in bulk and process yourself. This can help cut costs significantly, as most processed foods are cheaper than unprocessed alternatives.
• Make a list of what you need before you go shopping. This will help you stay focused while you’re browsing and avoid buying things that you don’t need.

@tylerallison92

Buying in bulk drastically reduces day to day spending and helps save for investments. Here’s my list of big savers and percentage of savings: Batteries 80% Razor blades 50% Laundry detergent 20% Toothpaste 60% Garbage bags 70% Vitamins 60% Toothbrushes 70% Olive oil 60% Vanilla extract 75% Frozen Fruit 50% Butter 40% Coffee 20% Condoms 60% #savemoney #mealprep #savingtips #investing #oilfield #bluecollar #makemoney #financialfreedom #rigs #gainz

♬ original sound – Tyler Allison

Understanding the Cost of Convenience

Now that you’ve decided on a grocery budget, it’s important to be aware of the cost of convenience items.

Pre-cut fruits, pre-washed greens, and pre-packaged meals are often more expensive than items that require more work on the front end. However, they can save time and energy.

It’s important to think about how much time and energy is worth when making your budget choices.

For example, if you know you’ll be able to save money by making a dish yourself that would otherwise require pre-packaged ingredients, it may be worth it to cut up the produce rather than buying prepped veggie mix.

Weighing the cost of convenience items against the benefit of saving precious time is a key part of smart grocery shopping on a budget.

Do your research and take into account the prices per item when making your decisions—that way, you can make sure you’re maximizing value for each dollar spent!

Take Advantage of Store Deals and Coupons

The next tip to grocery shopping on a budget is to take advantage of store deals and coupons.

Many stores have loyalty programs, where signing up can offer exclusive deals and discounts, so make sure you look into those.

Taking advantage of weekly sales can also help you save money—check the store ads for discounted items or special offers.

Additionally, look for store sales circulars for additional savings.

With lots of items in your cart, large discounts might seem small, but it all adds up in the end! Keep an eye out online for coupon codes that may even give you free shipping when ordering items online.

And don’t forget about discounts from apps like Shopkick or Ibotta—you might be able to get money back for certain products that you buy.

@moe_couponing

Explaining shopkick and how many kicks equal $1 #InstaxChallenge #digitaldeals #beginnerfriendly #beginnercouponers #couponing #shopkick #coupontok #moecouponing

♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

Grocery shopping on a budget doesn’t have to be a burden—it’s all about being aware and taking advantage of available resources.

Finding the Cheapest Grocery Store

Now that you know how to create a budget-friendly grocery list, the next step is to find the cheapest stores near you.

There are a few grocery stores that are known for having affordable prices, such as Aldi, Market Basket, and WinCo Foods.

@flavcity

Aldi Top 10 – PART 1 #aldifinds #top10 #alditiktok #aldihaul #healthyliving #bobbyapproved

♬ original sound – FlavCity

Also if you’re brave enough to venture outside of your local area and try ethnic food stores or farmer’s markets you can save a lot of money on produce too.

To make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck it’s a good idea to use apps and price comparison tools.

This will help identify which stores have the cheapest prices on the items on your grocery list.

It may even be worth planning a trip around where you do your shopping – for example, if one store has cheaper produce but another store has cheaper meat or dairy products then it’s worth getting both from those places and saving money overall.

Conclusion

So, how can you keep your wallet from taking too hard a hit? Here are some tips:

Plan your meals in advance and make a grocery list based on what you will cook. This will help you avoid buying unnecessary items and stick to your budget.

Compare prices between stores before you buy. If one store has a better deal on an item than another, buy it there.

Avoid eating out. Eating out is a huge expense and can quickly eat away at your budget.

Buy in bulk when possible. Buying in bulk can save you money in the long run.

Use a grocery rewards card. Many stores offer rewards cards that give you discounts on certain items.

Follow these tips and you’ll be able to keep your grocery budget under control – even during times of inflation.