How to Save Money on Your Grocery Bill

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food expenditures rank as the third highest expense for the average household. While most people have a variety of options of where to shop for groceries, it can be overwhelming to decide when and where to shop to get the best deals. By following a few simple tips at the grocery store, you can see a reduction in your food bill.

Shopping Only Once a Week

Frequent trips can cause you to pick up more items than you need. This will not only impact your food bill, but you’ll also spend more in car expenses. Try making a grocery list so you know exactly what you need to purchase. You’ll be less likely to overspend on unnecessary items. You may want to consider shopping at a nearby discount warehouse so you can buy bulk items for less money. Again, sticking to your list is key to staying within your budget.

Take Advantage of Sale Items

You’ve seen the flyers from your local grocery store that end up every week in your mailbox. Don’t throw them away! You can use them to single out items on sale, especially those you can easily stock up on. You can fill your pantry or freezer with canned and frozen goods so you have items on hand. You’ll be less likely to waste money on unused fresh items, especially if you’re only cooking for one or two people.

Loyalty Programs and Coupons

If your local grocery store has a loyalty program, take advantage of it. You’ll start to get an idea of the promotions they run and can plan your shopping around them to maximize your savings. Also, you can still clip coupons. Whether you get them from the weekly newspaper or download them online, they are still an effective way to reduce your grocery bill.

The USDA reports that Americans spend 5 percent of their disposable income on food at home and up to 4.3 percent on food away from home, so it’s important to save money where you can. With some planning in advance and taking advantage of sales and coupons, you can significantly reduce your monthly grocery bill.