Your food-buying habits can make or break your monthly budget. Unlike fixed expenses like rent or utilities, your monthly food budget offers plenty of room for savings—or overspending. If you want to save money when shopping for groceries, here are some helpful tips.
Never go to the grocery store on an empty stomach.
When you’re hungry, you’ll end up spending more than you planned. Grocery stores know this, and many chains take advantage by placing the mouthwatering bakery right at the entrance to trigger your hunger as soon as you walk in. To avoid this temptation, make sure to eat or drink something before heading to the store—even better, eat a full meal.
Clip coupons—wisely.
While clipping coupons can save you money, not all coupons offer the best deals. For instance, a “buy-one-get-one-free” promotion on chicken breast might seem like a bargain, but the store could raise the price of the chicken first—sometimes nearly doubling the cost—so you’re essentially paying the same price for two packages. Know the average prices of common items so you can determine whether a coupon deal is truly worth it. Additionally, even with coupons, brand-name items can still be more expensive than generic alternatives.
Buy generic brands whenever you can.
Generic brands are often much cheaper than name-brand products, even when they’re virtually identical. Even during sales, name-brand products are usually pricier than their generic counterparts. Always compare prices and opt for the generic version whenever possible.
Make a list—and stick to it.
Grocery stores are designed to get you to impulse-buy. Flashy advertisements, enticing sales, and strategically placed high-priced products all aim to catch your eye. Before heading to the store, make a list of exactly what you need, and don’t stray from it. Cross off items as you go and resist the temptation to pick up anything that isn’t on your list.
Look up and down for cheaper prices.
Grocery stores place higher-priced items at eye level, while cheaper alternatives are often found on the top or bottom shelves. When comparing products, don’t just focus on what’s directly in front of you—check the higher and lower shelves for better deals.
Don’t buy things you don’t need—even if they’re on sale.
Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you should buy it. Only purchase sale items you would buy anyway. If you don’t normally eat creamed corn, don’t pick it up just because it’s half off—you’ll still be spending money unnecessarily. However, if you do eat creamed corn regularly, stock up when it’s on sale so you don’t have to buy it at full price later. Be sure to only stock up on non-perishable items that will last.
Check the per-unit cost when comparing prices.
Manufacturers often enlarge packaging without increasing the amount of product inside. When you see a large box of crackers next to a smaller box for the same price, it’s tempting to think the bigger box is the better deal. But that smaller box might actually contain more product for a lower price. Always compare the per-unit price—this will show you how much you’re paying per individual item (e.g., per cracker, per toilet paper roll, etc.).
Grocery stores can be tricky. They use every tactic to encourage you to spend more than you planned. To avoid falling into these traps, stick to your list, look for the best deals, and don’t be swayed by seemingly great sales on items you don’t need. Your bank account will thank you for it.
