Bert Swope
To make your grocery shopping less expensive, stop ordering takeout and delivery. Instead, cook more at home. Even a dump recipe is cheaper than dining out. Using a phone calculator can also help you keep track of your spending and avoid overspending. In addition, you can get a price estimate for expensive items. Using a phone calculator while grocery shopping can help you avoid overspending. Here are some ways to save money on your grocery bill:
Stop takeout and delivery
When you shop at Stop and Shop, you have the option of choosing whether you want to order food for pickup or delivery. There are many conveniences with this option, including browsing aisles and categories for groceries. Some items are available with substitutions, so you can deselect those that are not desired. Once you’ve selected your desired food items, you can review the cart to make sure everything is correct. If you want to order in advance, you can use the store’s website to place your order.
Do more cooking at home
Do more cooking at home while grocery shopping: According to a new report by Acosta, two thirds of consumers cook at home more than they did in the past year. This trend was tracked by Acosta’s COVID Dining Journey report. Acosta also found that a greater percentage of shoppers were planning to cook more at home instead of eating out. If you want to save money while cooking, here are some tips to help you cut down on grocery shopping time.
Eating at home helps your family spend time together. When everyone sits around the table, a home-cooked meal unites the family and increases your social connections. While you may feel as though cooking at home is time-consuming and labor-intensive, it actually requires less effort than eating out. Using a slow cooker, you can prepare your food in an hour or less and have a delicious meal ready to serve within the same amount of time as eating out.
Skip the packaged goods
It’s easy to make grocery trips more expensive by buying convenience items, but this can lead to unhealthy choices. Food companies increase prices and shrink packages as a way to make up for this inflation. So how can you avoid buying these foods? Follow these simple tips to help cut your grocery bill in half. You’ll be surprised how many products can be made at home, and they’re healthier, too! Just remember to read the labels carefully to avoid wasting your money on unnecessary ingredients.
Instead of buying processed, pre-packaged foods, choose fresh and healthy snacks. These are much healthier than sugary and empty-calorie snacks, such as chips, candies, and soft drinks. They don’t add nutritional value to your diet and cost you money. Also, bulk foods are often cheaper. Simply transfer the contents to reusable containers. Once you’ve purchased enough, you can store the food in your refrigerator.
Eat what is in season
When grocery shopping, avoid purchasing out of season fruits and vegetables. They are usually less flavorful and go bad faster. Frozen produce is a healthier option than fresh. And it’s often cheaper too! And you can always use frozen items to prepare quick meals. Buying frozen fruit and vegetables is a great way to use up leftovers or make quick meals when you’re out of fresh produce.
If you’re a fan of tomato sauce, try to buy tomatoes in season. They are usually cheaper and easier to preserve. And if you can’t find fresh tomatoes, consider purchasing frozen or canned. Just make sure to rinse them first before eating them. You’ll save a ton of money in the long run! Try to plan meals for the week, month, or even year-round! Make a grocery list of ingredients and set aside the day’s meals to save on shopping.
You can also use your local produce to save on the costs of food. Check the seasonal produce chart at the grocery store and stick it to your fridge. This way, you won’t have to drive a long distance for fresh produce. It’s also a good idea to freeze locally-grown fruit and vegetables. You’ll get great value out of it and help your local economy too. If you can’t find these in season, freeze them in small portions for quick, healthy meals.
Buy bulk dry goods
Buying in bulk can help you save money on your groceries. Most shelf-stable food items come in various sizes, and buying a larger quantity is generally more economical per ounce. If you purchase these products frequently, you can save money by purchasing larger containers. On the other hand, if you only purchase them occasionally, the smaller size is probably not worth the extra money, or it may expire before you’ve finished it.
When you buy in bulk, you won’t be paying for packaging and marketing overhead. Instead, you’ll get more for your money by stocking up instead of having to run to the store multiple times a week. Just make sure to find a store that sells bulk items, and ask the sales clerk if there is a rotating stock of the same items. The difference between the price per ounce can add up over the course of a year. In addition to saving money, buying in bulk also helps the environment by reducing the amount of packaging that goes into products.
Buy and eat more vegetable proteins
The plant kingdom is a rich source of protein. Consider adding more legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains to your diet. Most vegetables contain some protein. For more protein, look for beans such as adzuki, black, or garbanzo. Other sources of protein include peas such as split peas and snow peas, as well as soy products such as peanuts and soybeans.
