Last Updated on March 3, 2022 by Kimberly Stroh
As inflation is on the rise, many families are finding themselves living paycheck to paycheck, barely making ends meet. We’ve been there too. You’re not alone. It’s difficult to stick to a budget, but saving money on groceries is STILL possible today. For most families, food is one of the most expensive line items. Here are my 15 tips to help you cut the cost of food and freed your family!
These tips and strategies for families on a budget will help you reduce your food costs. I promise you won’t be sacrificing flavor, quality or brand that you love. Despite grocery inflation, you can still eat well without spending a fortune.
19 Ways To Save Money On Groceries
You can pick and chose what you want to implement when it comes to these tips. I don’t recommend overhauling your shopping habits all at once. Ease into new habits and save money as you go. Little baby steps are better than big changes that you can’t stick with. Even with a toddler whose a picky eater, we’ve been able to cut our grocery bill by 20%.
Plan Ahead Before You Shop To Save Money On Groceries
1- Meal Plan With Cheap But Delicious Meals: Spaghetti, tacos, fried rice, egg or tuna salad, breakfast for dinner, the list goes on. Which meals are family favorites and also affordable? Work those into your weekly or monthly meal plans. Use a printable weekly meal planner to plan before you shop.
2- Use Coupons Because They’re Still Around: Many stores offer sales on items you need each week, like milk or bread. Check your area’s newspapers and the websites of major retailers for grocery specials. Ask your local grocery store when the new deals are offered, so you know the sale cycles. Some stores even have reward programs that award you discounts after spending a certain amount each month – Kroger (which is the largest national grocery store chain in the U.S.).
3- Planning Ahead Stops Impulse Buying: When you do your shopping, it’s best to create a list so that you limit the impulse buys. Better yet, order your groceries online, which gets rid of last minute impulse buys completely. I also avoid grocery shopping with my kids because I’m tempted to give in when they ask for items.
Little Tweaks Make A Big Difference When Grocery Shopping
4- Buy Herbs In Bulk Or Grow Your Own: Fresh herbs don’t last too long in the fridge and can be expensive at the grocery store. Buy these items by the bundle, shop at a farmer’s market or even better – grow herbs from seed!
5- Buy Spices In Bulk: Spices don’t last forever either and tend to be pricey at the store. Buy in spices in bulk when possible or invest in a spice rack so that you can use up what is already on hand before purchasing more!
6- Buy What’s On Sale: Take the circular from the store each week and plan meals around it. This can drastically reduce your grocery bill, if you use it to shop for meats and dairy (which are harder to find coupons for).
6- Buy Generic Brands When Possible: While some people may prefer brand names, you never know until you try. By purchasing some store brands, our family has realized that we don’t mind store brands. Some grocery stores offer sales on their brands to let you try them for less money.
7- Become a Fan of Soup: Whether you’re making your own homemade soup (Russet Potato Soup is my favorite) or buying canned soup, it’s a cheap option. Add potatoes or beans, or a cheap protein like chicken, to stay full longer. This is an old trick from the depression that still works today!
Start At Home When Saving Money On Groceries
8- Plant A Family Garden: It takes some work, but growing your own food is a great way to save money. It’s relaxing and we love cooking with the vegetables from our garden. Vegetable gardening for kids is a great way to get the whole family involved and it’s an educational opportunity for them.
9- Buy Gadgets That Make Sense: Take a bread machine, for example. Package up baggies of all the dry ingredients needed to make various types of bread, put a label on them, and store them all in a container in the pantry. You want gadgets that will stretch your food. A food saver vacuum machine is another example, it help you safely freeze food without worry.
10- Use Ice Cube Trays: Whether you’re saving herbs and spices, homemade bone broth, or frozen coffee, ice cube trays have so many uses and will save you time and money.
Fill the trays with water and set in the freezer. Place a label on each tray of what you’re saving, so you’ll know which is which when it comes time to use them. I freeze my herbs, broth, etc and then I take the cubes and put them into a freezer bag for future use.
11- Spice Things Up: When you’re cooking cheaper meal staples like mashed potatoes, they can get boring if you don’t mix it up a bit. Add crushed red pepper, garlic, or even a little lemon. Changing the flavors of everyday dishes makes them more exciting.
12- Keep Your Pantry Organized: So many families waste pantry products because they let them expire. Once a month, take the time to organize your pantry so you’re not tossing money.
How & Where You Shop Helps With Saving
13- Use a Rewards Credit Card: If you can get approved for a credit card with rewards, I highly recommend it. Some grocery store cards even have a sign-on bonus. That’s translates into savings for you and cash rewards.
14- Shop at Club Stores: Stock up on snacks and easy meals at Sam’s Club or Costco. Even if you aren’t a member, you can shop through a friend who is or split a membership cost. Don’t do you primary shopping at these stores, but stock up on things that have no expiration – like pantry items or cleaning products.
15- Budget For Occasional Splurges: If you can afford to, allow for occasional splurges. Save a small portion of your budget for splurge items that you don’t typically buy. This is so important so you aren’t discourages about saving money on groceries. Splurge monthly with a small amount of money set aside or for special occasions on occasion.
The bottom line? Saving money on groceries in still possible. You need to buy in bulk and get familiar with inexpensive staples you can work into your family’s mealtimes. It’s going to change your wallet and you’ll come on out top – even with inflation.