Groceries are an important part of a balanced budget. Making smart choices at the grocery store can help you save time, reduce your bill and save more money each month. Check out these useful tips and tricks to help you save more money on your next shopping trip:
Eat before you go
Believe it or not, this simple trick really works! Try to eat a filling meal before you head to the grocery store. If you shop on an empty stomach, you're more likely to end up with extra items in your cart, which adds up to a larger bill at checkout.
Plan ahead
As Benjamin Franklin famously stated, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Before your next shopping trip, take the time to plan out all of your meals for the week. Then, make a detailed list, including the items you need for your meals and those you need on a recurring basis, such as eggs, milk, cereal or cleaning supplies. This way, you'll be well-prepared before you even step foot in the store.
Look for sales
While you're meal planning, check for sales at nearby grocery stores. If a certain ingredient is on sale, stock up and plan your meals around it. For example, if there's a special on chicken, buy enough for two weeks and freeze some for the following week. You can also clip out paper coupons or save digital coupons from your favorite store's app.
Shop less often
Taking fewer trips to the grocery store can help you cut back on impulse purchases and save more money. If you're currently going to the store multiple times per week, cut back to just weekly grocery trips. With enough planning and organization, you could even streamline your shopping to just a couple times a month. Think of all the time you could save!
Choose off-brand
When grocery shopping, don't be afraid to buy unfamiliar, off-brand products. There are often very few differences in the ingredients and quality between brand-name and generic items. Swapping out brand-name products for generic is an easy way to trim your grocery bill.
Stick to your list
Smart grocery shopping takes self-control. Resist the urge to purchase anything that wasn't included on your carefully-crafted list. Of course, if you forgot to include a necessary item on your list, it's okay to add it to your cart. Just be vigilant about sticking to your list and only buy what you really need.
Looking for more tips and resources to help you make the most of your money? Be sure to check out Wright-Patt Credit Union's online resources, including brochures, videos and interactive learning modules to help you Save Better, Borrow Smarter and Learn A Lot!