In an effort to save money on my grocery bill, I’ve implemented the sage advice offered time and time again. I shop from a list. I buy what’s in season. I don’t, or (try not to) shop hungry, and clip coupons to look at what’s on sale. These are all very good rules to shop by. However, I’ve tried other ways to save money on groceries and this is what I came up with! Let’s take a look at 5 unique ways to save money on groceries.
#1 Shop with a friend and maximize. Food purchased in bulk is significantly less expensive. However, unless you have several freezers in your basement or garage, that food is going to go to waste. Consider shopping with a friend or family member. I do this from time to time with my cousin Natalie, and we purchase the maximum amount of bulk chicken we’re allowed to buy, split it up and save tons of money. This works quite well with meats and items that can be frozen, as well as with non-perishables.
#2 Learn to can and/or preserve food. Produce tends to really go on sale during certain times of the year. For example berries in the summertime, apples and peaches in the fall. Buy them in bulk and preserve them. You won’t have to buy jam or canned fruit for the rest of the year. Additionally, canning supplies are really inexpensive and preserved foods taste a whole lot better than store-bought canned items.
#3 Shop post-holiday. Hams after Easter. Corned beef after St Patrick’s Day, and let’s not forget turkey after Thanksgiving. These meats drop to about a quarter of the price right after the holiday. Buy them and freeze them for later in the year.
#4 Homemade convenience. The cost of flour, eggs, milk and oil is about a tenth of the price of a box of frozen waffles. Instead of buying prepackaged foods for their convenience, make them yourself. You can make a double or triple batch of waffles on the weekend and freeze them. Simply pop them in the toaster in the morning and you have all the convenience at about a tenth of the price. Plus, they taste better. Add cinnamon and chopped apples to your waffle recipe and you don’t even need syrup!
#5 Hit the ethnic markets. Skip the big box stores and head to your local meat market, Indian market, Spanish market or Asian food store. These stores specialize in ethnic cuisine; however, the produce is often the same as you’d find in your local supermarket at a much lower cost. For example, a batch of green onions at Safeway runs about $1.99 each (varies). At the Asian markets here in Sacramento, it’s about $0.49 cents only (this varies too, but you’re saving a lot). Plus, it can just be fun to try new markets and new food.
Before I moved back to Austin into a neighborhood where I don’t have many close friends yet I used to frequently drag my BFFs to Costco, buy stuff in bulk bulk bulk, and split it up. I need to get back to doing that again!
Great tips! I am always trying to save money at the grocery store!. My most valuable saving advice. Don’t take the husband to the grocery store with you. I save on average of about $40 leaving him at home!
Thank you, Rena. Sometimes adding one person to the trip can cost a little extra. That’s why I like going on my own sometimes because I’m in and out! 🙂