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Budget Help: Save Money on Your Grocery Bill

As the cost of food continues to rise, a simple trip to the grocery store can easily break your bank. Keep in mind a few simple tips to help cut the cost of your monthly grocery bills.

Start with a Plan

Before you even head out to do your shopping, take the time to sit down, plan your weekly menu and make a list. This way, you are going into the store with a set goal rather than roaming the aisles aimlessly, picking up items you don’t need or will never use while attempting to come up with meals on the spot and trying to come up with ingredients.

It is also wise to prepare for a trip to the grocery store by taking a few minutes each week to browse weekly circulars in your local newspapers for coupons. Even just one or two coupons can save you a few dollars, so it’s worth it to take a look.

Stock Up – But Only on What You Need

Once you are at the store, keep an eye out for store specials and take that opportunity to stock up on deals like “buy one get one”, especially on household necessities. Never turn down a price-saver and the chance to stock up. But beware of certain multiple sale items and take a moment to do the math. For instance, if a product is being offered at “5 for $5”, multiply the original cost of the product by five to see if it is worth the savings. If you are only going to end up saving a few cents to buy that item in bulk (and running the risk of never using it), it may not be worth it.

As you browse the aisles for deals, try not to get sucked into purchasing a product simply because it has flashy packaging or a name-brand label. Instead, compare name brands to store brands or other generics. Take a look at the main or active ingredients in comparable products. More often than not, you’ll find they are nearly identical, and choosing store brands over name brands can result in big savings at the register. Similarly, when you head over to the meat counter, consider opting for cheaper cuts of meat, such as sirloin instead of rib-eye or filet, and even chicken on the bone versus its boneless, skinless counterpart.

Last but not least, always keep in mind the old saying – “never shop hungry”. When walking around a store filled with food while you are on an empty stomach, you will – without a doubt – give in to nearly every hunger-induced impulse and end up spending far more than you should.

Contact Advantage CCS

For more tricks and tips to save money on your grocery bill to stay within your monthly budget , contact Advantage CCS. The staff at ACCS can help you come up with a budget management program tailored to meet your needs to help you save at the register and keep your money where it belongs – in your pocket.