With holidays being right around the corner, money may be getting tight. One way to help save money is through savvy grocery shopping. Groceries can be expensive, but there are ways to help lower the costs. Using a grocery list, shopping the weekly ads, and buying in bulk are a few ways to cut costs at the store.
One research study showed that grocery shopping using a list can help shoppers better navigate their food environments. There are many reasons to use a shopping list. Among them, a shopping list can serve as a memory aide, help limit impulse purchasing, and optimize your shopping trip.
Using a grocery list can also help you stick to a meal plan that fits into your budget. You can put in the work before you go to the store to better understand what you will be spending at the store. Many stores have weekly ads that show what is on sale for the week. If you don’t receive these ads in the mail, look for them in store or online. Use them to plan your meals for the week using what is on sale.
In addition to their weekly ads, many stores now have additional online tools or apps that can help you save money. For example, Kroger, Meijer, and Giant Eagle all have loyalty programs where you can clip digital coupons, access discounts, and earn points towards fuel.
For more tips and ideas related to meal planning, cooking, and shopping on a budget, check out the Shop Simple with MyPlate app. A few additional money saving tips include:
- Buying products in bulk or buying larger packages instead of individually packaged or smaller size items.
- Purchasing produce that is in season, as it is usually less costly than produce that isn’t growing at the time. If you’re not sure what is in season, there are online guides to reference what is currently growing.
- Opting for frozen or canned items instead of fresh. Frozen and canned fruits and veggies contain the same nutrients as their fresh counterparts. Just make sure keep an eye out for added sugars, salts, and sauces in canned and frozen products.
- Choosing store brand or generic products over brand name options. Many times, the store brand alternatives are made using the same ingredients as the name brand ones.
- Ordering online and using curbside pickup instead of going into the store if you tend to be tempted to buy unneeded extras. When shopping in store, avoid shopping when you are hungry to reduce the chance of picking up foods that you don’t need.
If you’re really trying hard to stick to a budget, bring a calculator to the store and add up your grocery bill as you add items to your cart. Make a shopping list, stick to it, and use these tips to save money on groceries.
Written by Brittany Reid, Dietetic Intern, Marshall University
Reviewed by Jenny Lobb, MPH, RDN, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Franklin County
