Do you cringe every time you have to go to the supermarket? You are not alone, many people dread the very idea of braving the busy stores and then standing in line just to discover that you spent too much, yet again. The price of food and associated products (aluminum foil, cooking spray, etc) seems to continually be on the rise with no relief in sight.
Luckily, there are some ways you can save money and still get the things you need.
*Budget
It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to make a budget and stick to it. Set aside a specific amount for weekly/monthly grocery shopping and do not go over it. Some people have really good luck with going to the supermarket with a set amount of cash and that is all they have to spend on groceries. Adhering to a grocery budget can help you eliminate unnecessary items and therefore save you money.
*Shop with a friend
Have a friend, with similar tastes, go with you to the market. Not only will the shopping trip be more fun, but you both can get your shopping done at the same time. These are great reasons for shopping together but there is another good reason: you can take advantage of some really great deals like “2 for 1” or “5 for $10”. You can split the cost, and items, with your friend and both of you end up saving money. One final reason to shop with a friend is that they can help you curb impulse spending. A friend can make you stop and think about whether you actually need some of the things you tossed in the shopping cart.
*Make it from scratch
In the long run, it is much cheaper to buy products to make meals and snacks from scratch than to buy pre-made foods. The other benefit is things like flour, sugar and cornmeal will make more than one batch of cookies/muffins! You can also control what goes into the foods you make at home, whereas pre-made foods have preservatives in them to maintain freshness. Aside from these great benefits, making snacks and meals at home can be a fun way to spend time with your family.
*Make a list, stick to it
Aside from not shopping hungry, list shopping is the best way to save money at the supermarket. Many people that go shopping without a list, end up with “extras” in their shopping cart. As you go up and down the aisles, crossing items off of your list, keep your eye on the prize: getting out of that busy store! When the last item is crossed off of your list, head straight for the check out line.
With the price of everything from bread to beef going up these days, a trip to the market really stings; this makes money saving tips important. Take the pain out of shopping by arming yourself with a budget and list. Oh, and do not forget to take along your shopping friend!