How many times have you been at the grocery store and all of a sudden your cart is full when you had only planned on getting a couple of things? There’s a smart way to go grocery shopping, and a wrong way, which causes unnecessary spending and food waste. The best thing you can do is make a list and stick to it! Figure out why you have been straying from your list, whether it be because you are hungry while you shop, your kids/spouse/roommate want to get other things, or something else entirely, and take steps to prevent it.
Budgeting and planning are a huge part of saving money. By allotting a certain amount of money each week for groceries, you can plan meals around this. Remember that by planning meals, you are less likely to eat out, which is healthier and much more cost effective! Look to see if there are sales or coupons you can use for the meals you will be making at stores near you. However, do not just spend money on food that is on sale if it won’t get eaten, because you are still losing money, even if you think you are saving money. Another good tip is to compare brands. Typically, especially at stores like Wal-Mart or Target, they have store brands that are less expensive than brand name items. Along with this idea, know what grocery stores near you are less expensive. For example, if you can shop at either Aldi or Whole Foods, always shop at Aldi.
Trying to save money is hard, but if you get in a habit of saving money while grocery shopping, it will definitely add up! Assuming you go once a week, if you can save $20.00 by just sticking to your list and not buying extras you do not need, you’ll have saved more than $1,000.00 in a year! If you are having trouble making ends meet and need fast cash for that quick grocery trip, contact Short Term Loans today to get cash tomorrow!
