Blame it on inflation, but the prices of goods and services are increasingly rising, every day. It could be the rising price of oil or higher demand for food, but these days we are not only spending more money on gas at the gas station, but also spending more at the grocery store. Imagine if you could find a way to save on your food? There are hundreds of ways to cut down on your food expenses. We are going to show you ten ways you could save money on your grocery and food bills.
You could be saving a considerable amount of money in the long run if you shop smart and apply some of these techniques for saving money on your food bills. They are really simple tricks to saving money on food, or spending less at the grocery store that anyone can follow easily and save. Below we will discuss some smart ways to save without sacrificing the quality or nutritional value of the food that you buy.
1. Plan your food shopping
Before you go, make sure you have a plan. As simple as it may be, most of us guys don’t really know what we want to buy from a grocery store before we actually step into the store. Women, on the other hand, are sometimes smarter than men when shopping at the grocery store. Some women have really mastered any type of shopping. There is growing evidence that women shop more frequently, make educated choices, and are repeat buyers on the internet. They are also smart buyers, both on and off the internet. Being a smart shopper will certainly help you save money. Make a list of what you have and plan your food shopping ahead of time so that you don’t buy stuff you don’t need. It will save both money and wastage of food.
2. Eat healthy
Eating healthy is obviously good for your health. It will also save you money on your grocery bills. Researchers found that families on a diet will not only lose weight but also save money on food. Eating healthy could mean a number of things. It could mean cooking more and ordering fewer pizzas, eating fresh, and eating the right amount of right kind of foods. The more healthy choices you make on food, the healthier you will be. As an added bonus, you will save a great deal of money by buying and cooking your own food, instead of eating junk food or eating out at a restaurant. You also need to consider the money you will be saving on your healthcare expenses.
3. Buy local
Buying local is as close to buying happiness as you can get. Locally grown fresh produce is not only healthy, good for the economy, and better tasting food, but it’s also less expensive. You will really enjoy the taste when you buy fresh from your local farmers’ markets instead of buying form your grocery stores. Most people don’t realize that there are also many environmental benefits of buying local. Your food has to travel fifteen hundred miles on average, before it reaches your table, so just imagine the amount of carbon that is emitted in the process of transportation, processing, packaging, and storing of food. The closer to home you buy, the better it is for the environment.
4. Buy seasonal
Check for the best buys of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits and vegetables of the week are typically put up for sale. Seasonal food tastes great and has many health benefits too. The best part is, you can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables which are seasonal, that will fill you up, won’t get you fat, and will actually cost you less money.
5. Use deals and discount coupons
Deals and discount coupons are everywhere. When you use coupons, the deals can add up to a good amount of money, especially if you use coupons frequently for a long amount of time. Try to shop around deals with discount coupons and items on sale. It can lower your grocery bills, guaranteed.
6. Pack your lunch
This is a great tip for saving on food; pack your own lunch. Packing a healthy lunch and taking it to work can save you a significant amount of money on lunch that you might never imagine. Your savings on lunch money can add up quickly. Try to carry your own water bottle with you, as well, so that you don’t pollute the environment with plastic.
7. Try using canned, frozen or dried food
Using frozen produce for cooking can be equally as healthy as cooking fresh foods, as these are frozen with all the freshness.
8. Replace high priced proteins with cheaper alternatives
Instead of buying expensive steaks, seafood, and poultry, try buying cheaper alternatives for high-priced proteins. For example, buy beans and tofu, Instead of steak or skinless chicken breasts. You can also find protein in peanut butter, eggs, milk, and tuna, in an affordable way.
9. Buy in bulk
Buying food in bulk will be cheaper and also environmentally friendly. Buying bulk means buying from wholesalers like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s or from the bulk aisles of the grocery stores.
10 Avoid prepackaged foods:
Avoid buying prepackaged, prewashed or sliced food. They usually come with a big price tag. If you are willing to pay the price, you might not be happy with the taste, preservatives, and health concerns associated with food treatment processes. Also consider the environmental impacts from packaging and processing.
Buying and growing your own food can save you money while improving your health and reducing negative impacts on the environment. Try these methods and you will enjoy all the benefits.
P.S: Please add your own suggestions in the comment box below. We’d also love to hear from you it would inspire us greatly.
Source: Institute of Ecolonomics
