Effective Ways To Cut Costs At The Grocery Store

According to recent statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, American households spend around $4,643 at the grocery store every year. And these figures have increased with many people spending more time at home than usual. Meanwhile, the cost of foodstuff has shot up significantly, perhaps the fastest in more than a decade. Although the amount you spend will depend on what and where you buy, there are a few ways you can save some money when grocery shopping. Here is how.  

Join a wholesale club 

Wholesale clubs can help you save money by buying in bulk, which can be beneficial, especially if you have a large family. When you buy many items, the price per item or ounce is significantly lower. However, bulk buying isn’t for everyone since you may have to pay more upfront. It is also worth noting that wholesale clubs have membership costs beginning from $60 to $120, depending on your membership level and benefits. This is justified if you routinely stock up on groceries. If you’re not sure if this is the right spot for you, most places will give you a one-day pass to try it out. Therefore, you’ll be able to determine which wholesale club is the ideal fit for you.

Purchase generic brands 

Supermarkets display expensive, name-brand items at eye level to lure you into spending more on high-priced things. However, if you look at the top or bottom of the shelf, you’ll often discover cheaper generic brands which are equally good and taste just as excellent. A consumer report suggests that 22% of shoppers purchase from supermarkets because of the quality of their store brands. However, store brands are not created equal, and some can even exceed the performance and taste of the leading brands. To save money, choose a generic brand that offers the best value the next time you go shopping.

Unlock discounts with loyalty schemes 

If you buy at the particular supermarket regularly, it is practical to join their free loyalty program if they have some on offer. Several supermarkets and brands offer points you can redeem for money off your next purchase or rewards with specified partners. However, you can use some plans to unlock special discounts on selected products periodically. You may also want to look for discount codes that allow you to enjoy significant reductions on your purchases. A study suggests that you can save up to $1,465 every year by shopping online with coupons and discount codes. 

Clip coupons 

After signing up for your preferred grocery store’s loyalty program, you can take advantage of further savings by clipping coupons. You may comb through pages for offers that interest you or keep an eye out for weekly circulars in the mail. Save any coupons you find for your next grocery shopping. Today, there are easy-to-use digital alternatives. For example, you can download the mobile app for your preferred grocery shop, look through the deals and click to load coupons for your digital loyalty card. The savings will be instantly applied when you check out in-store.

Get a big discount for abandoning your cart

You can earn big discounts for simply abandoning your cart when shopping online. When you fail to complete an order, some online supermarkets can offer good discounts via email to entice you to return. So to earn a discount when shopping online, try to drop a few items in a shopping basket, and leave them without buying. While you may find the discount code in your inbox after a few days, it is essential to log in with your email. This way, they can know who you are and how to reach you. While some discounts are applicable online and offline, it can be useful to check for details since some discounts are available for limited periods. 

Create a shopping list and stick to it

It is easy to pick items you don’t need when you visit the grocery store without a list. Even when you have a list, it can be difficult to stick to it, especially when shopping with young kids. While making a list and ensuring you stick to them can ensure you don’t spend on items you don’t need, it may also be best to leave the kids at home when grocery shopping. If you have to take them along, make sure they are full to reduce the need for any impulse buying. Aside from saving you money, creating a shopping list can help you plan your meal, save energy, and improve your focus. 

Checkout local market stalls 

Although supermarkets are handy, local market stalls sometimes beat supermarket costs on fruits and vegetables. A survey has proposed that local markets and grocers offer products 35% cheaper than supermarkets. Despite the significant differences in local markets, independent stores, and the big supermarket brands, it can be useful to make your own comparison based on your needs since prices vary depending on the region or location. Keep your grocery receipts and compare them with how much you spent on similar items at the local market. This can help you make an informed decision on where to go for your next grocery shopping. 

Have a meal plan 

Writing a weekly/monthly meal plan is one of the best approaches to making your grocery shopping more effective. Doing this means you can plan for your meals ahead and find ways to utilize the products you already have. Fortunately, there are a few websites and mobile apps with menu planners you can use. Planning your meals a few days or weeks ahead may take time, but you will be able to save money later. For this to be successful, you should know what your family likes or even involve them in the process. You can prepare extras and meals around foods on sale, and avoid recipes requiring special ingredients. 

There are a few ways you can save money on your grocery shopping. It doesn’t matter your payment form or whether you are using coupons. Savings may seem insignificant on each item, yet they can add up and offset the increased costs of groceries.