By Adrianna Rodriguez, TX State University Nutrition Student
Looking for ways to save money with the high prices of groceries? You’ve come to the right place. We’re going to go over some of the ways that I have found to be extremely helpful for cutting the cost of my grocery budget!
Bulk shopping/discount stores:
Shopping at bulk stores is very useful for cutting costs on grocery items, like Costco or Sam’s Club. Although there is a higher upfront cost, you can get great deals when buying like this. Buying in bulk will also last a longer period of time at a reduced cost per item. There are also discount stores in some areas or low-cost stores like Dollar Tree and the 99 Cent store that might surprise you with promising finds.
Sales/coupons:
There are many couponing apps and cashback apps out there to help make grocery shopping a little bit more affordable. In Texas, H-E-B has great sales and coupons through their app. Planning meals and shopping around coupons can make all the difference when it comes to affordable grocery shopping. Some of the popular cashback apps are Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. Cashback apps work by going in-store to buy the items you want cash back on, and then you scan the receipt, which will then add the money to your account. Most apps do require you to hit a certain number of rewards before cashing out to your bank.
In season shopping/local:
If you buy products that are more local and in season, they will generally be more affordable. Produce like potatoes, onions, and carrots will be low-cost year-round and can be used in many recipes. You can sometimes find affordable produce at Farmers’ Markets. Some Farmers’ Markets also accept WIC and SNAP benefits, too. And if you are trying to avoid waste but have a hard time finishing up your fresh produce in time, frozen and canned vegetables and fruits truly are perfectly fine. For canned foods, we suggest buying no added salt varieties, or in the instance of canned fruit, buy in 100% juice, rather than heavy syrup.
Batch cooking/meal prep:
Another great way to save money on groceries and time is to batch cook and meal plan/prep. If you make bigger meals that will last longer using pantry staples, you can make some really delicious meals on a budget! Taking some time out during the week to make a meal plan is also helpful because you can get an understanding of the items you’ll need for meals and can adjust based on the cost ahead of time instead of in the moment.
Curbside:
If you’re like me, I tend to buy extra items at the grocery store. So, if that happens to you, curbside may be an option to think about. Curbside also saves you on time because you’ll only have to wait in a short time slot vs spending an hour or so in store trying to find everything you need. Some places like H-E-B don’t have a fee for curbside, but you will pay an increased cost for each item. It could still potentially save you money if you like to grab extra items. The same goes for the fees from other curbsides; it could still be more affordable if you tend to buy extra.
YouTube:
YouTube has been an excellent source for finding affordable and creative ways to grocery shop and meal plan. Many YouTubers do different challenges with specific food items or very low-cost monthly grocery trips. Some of my favorites are Dollar Tree Dinners and Frugal Fit Mom. They have a lot of creative recipes, ways to use up pantry items, and tips on how to stock up on groceries for less!
Look up! Or down…
Did you know grocery stores tend to stock higher priced brand items right at eye level? Sneaky, aren’t they? Looking higher or lower in the same section might help you find lower-priced equivalents. Keep in mind grocery stores have selling and marketing down to a science, from where they strategically place things in certain areas to the hip music they play while you shop.
Stock on pantry staples:
You can also focus on building up a staple pantry for yourself over time, and that has been extremely helpful for me. If you have some basic pantry staples, you can get pretty creative with what you want to make. If you enjoy baking and have the time for it, you can make a variety of foods for a really low price. Even if you can’t, there are canned goods, recipes, and even cooking equipment that can speed up the process of making meals. Some of the best pantry staples are oats, flour, rice, beans, and pasta.
Times are tough, and these cost-saving tips can come in handy for any household. And if you need more ideas on how to shop smarter, be sure to hit us up @food4successllc or at https://food4success.com .
