9 Ways To Save Money On Groceries Without A Budget Calculator!

US Equity Advantage

Plan your meals ahead of time.-Take 20 minutes to plan your meals for the week. You’ll make smarter decisions and just one trip to the store. -Look online for ideas to stretch one protein (like pork loin) into several meals that taste nothing like leftovers.-Take stock of your refrigerator and pantry. You may already have the item you need or your review may trigger a menu idea. Keeping a checklist in your pantry for when you run out of items makes this easier.-Create a separate list for beauty items, as these tend to be more expensive when purchased in a grocery store.

Find the right store(s).Take note of sales, and collect coupons BEFORE you plan your meals. Being a savvy shopper means taking advantage of price comparisons and knowing the regular price of the items you buy most.Be sure to take advantage of any loyalty programs offered at your favorite stores.

Try a shopping reward app.Generate the most savings by choosing items that will save you money across multiple applications. Also, there are online shopping options available for recurring non-perishable items. For example, schedule your paper goods with Amazon Prime. It allows you to have a set cost for these items in your budget, as well as prevents you from ever running out.

Don’t shop on an empty stomach!

Statistics show that hungry shoppers spend more and buy items that were not on their list. Stick to your guns, and eat before you shop.

Be a conscious consumer.Grocery store floor plans and shelves are designed to sell the highest priced merchandise. Staples like milk are in the back of the store, sale items are stocked at the end of each aisle incentivize impulse purchases, and the highest priced items are set on the easiest to reach shelves.

Buy in season.You pay a premium for fresh foods sold out of season. Try your local farm stand for locally grown produce, it’s often more affordable and better for the environment too.

Avoid prepared foods.It does not take a budget calculator to avoid prepared foods. Remember that plan we talked about earlier? It’s key to having the time for nightly food preparation. With planning, you can spend as little as 10 minutes in the kitchen before dinner is served.

Save your receipt.Once you have executed your amazing shopping plan, and you’ve purchased your items with a reward bearing credit card, it is important to check your receipt. Not only does this ensure that you received all of the savings from your coupons and store sales, but you will need to take a photo of your receipt to receive the benefits of most shopping apps.

Preserve your food (and savings).There was a sale on something that you buy often, and being the intelligent consumer that you are, you stocked up. Learn how to properly freeze and preserve the food you want to save for future use.Want more tips on saving money and paying off debt? Visit the US Equity Advantage Getting Ahead blog today.