We all know that everything seems to be on the rise these days, and your wallet is no different. With utility bills on the rise and grocery prices not showing signs of deducing, it can often be tough to make ends meet.
This can be made worse by the presence of debts that have to be budgeted for and repaid. Often this can lead to families looking into setting up a Trust Deed and other debt solutions
However, when every little bit count, there are many simple ways to save money whilst shopping without compromising on your weekly shop. This article will show you 5 ways to save money on the grocery shop.
Take a list and stick to it!
It is so easy to walk into the store and come back out with the entire contents of your pantry in tow. However, by knowing exactly what you need before you set out for the shop, it is much more likely that you will stick to your list and come away with exactly what you were after, without any extras.
In the long run, this will end up saving you money by reducing what you spend on additional and unnecessary items, often which can end up going to waste.
Set a Budget
Setting yourself a budget for your weekly shop is another great way to save money. It many do not sound very exciting but when you know exactly how much you can spend on groceries, it limits the likelihood that you will go over this amount and end up spending more than necessary.
This simple step will help you plan meals around what is already in your store cupboard, as well as help you cut down on extra, unnecessary spending. Budgeting can also help you decide when it is best to stock up on staples such as toilet paper, which are often cheaper when bought in bulk.
Buy in Bulk
Whilst some people like to buy in bulk, it is not always the best option for purchasing groceries. If you are buying items that can spoil or go off quickly, then this will end up wasting your money as these products may need to be thrown away if they cannot be used before their expiration date.
However, there are many non-perishable items that last longer without going off. Buying these items in bulk is a great way to save money as you can buy larger amounts for less per item, which will work out cheaper overall. Examples of these items include toiletries (shampoo, shower gel et), pet food and cleaning products.
Meal Prepping / Batch Cooking
A great way to cut down even further on your overall grocery costs is to take advantage of preparing your meals and bulk cooking days or even weeks in advance.
Cooking large batches of family favourites that can be eaten later and are suitable for freezing can help with food wastage, ensuring that even items nearing their expiry date are used before they go off.
Promotions
You may not need a whole box of 12 cereal bars, but if they are on sale, you may as well stock up. Looking out for promotions can help to stretch your food budget even further, allowing the items that are on offer to fill gaps in your store cupboard or allow you to bulk buy at a cheaper price than usual.
Shop around, it may not be glamorous, but shopping around is one of the best ways to ensure that you are getting the best possible price. Look out for new offers as well as cheaper alternatives to your regular grocery stops. If nothing else, it can give you a good excuse to buy those cereal bars!
Following these tips will help you save money on your next grocery shop. Remember to buy in bulk, pick up the best deals and batch cook a few meals ahead of time. It is also important that you stick to your budget when shopping for groceries so avoid impulse buys or spending more than what was allotted for food items. Keep all this information in mind as you prepare for another trip to the store!