Inflation in 2024 remains uncomfortably high. For many people, finding effective and consistent ways to reduce monthly household expenses is essential to ensure they can cover their monthly bills. This includes grocery spending, which often exceeds budgets.
Whether you choose to plan your shopping trip in advance by checking out the latest Lasoo specials online, utilize meal planning, or make the most of your local grocery store rewards program, you will easily find effective methods to control your grocery budget.
Check Your Stock
If you have ever returned home from a grocery shop and suddenly found yourself with numerous loaves of bread or more milk than you could possibly consume, you likely left home without checking your current pantry and fridge stock.
Before heading to the grocery store, assess the items in your fridge, pantry, and freezer to avoid buying duplicates of perishable items. Make a list to ensure you buy only what you need to prevent unwanted spending on products you won’t use.
Meal Plan
Meal planning is not only a proven way to eat healthier during the week, but it is also an excellent tool for lowering your grocery expenses. By planning your meals in advance, you will be able to draw up a shopping list that only has items you will be using and eating during the week.
While it requires you to make food choices in advance, it will significantly reduce impulse buying and limit the times you need to visit the grocery store, lowering the chance of spending money on groceries you may not have budgeted.
Calculate Your Burn Rate
‘Burn rate’ is a phrase used to refer to how quickly and frequently you use up various products. Experts recommend figuring out how long certain products tend to last in your household and stocking up on deals accordingly.
If you have the freezer space to do so, items that can be frozen are worth stocking up on, especially when they are on sale, like chicken, ground meat, or frozen vegetables. However, purchasing more fresh produce than you could eat before the expiration date will lead to unnecessary waste and overspending.
Shop Off-Peak Hours
If you have ever made the mistake of heading to the grocery store during peak shopping hours, you will know how difficult it is to make sensible decisions when choosing the product you want or need. Avoid the pressure of large crowds by heading to the store during the quieter hours of the day.
This will give you more freedom to examine the selection of products available and choose the option that best fits your needs and budget. It may take some time to figure out the best time to visit your local store, but the difference in your shopping experience will make it worth the effort.
Utilise Reward Cards & Loyalty Programs
A common feature of nearly all major grocery stores and supermarkets in today’s economic climate is loyalty programs and reward cards. Should your favorite store offer these added benefits, taking advantage of special deals and rewards will help lower your grocery costs.
Before signing up, be sure to fully understand how the rewards program works so you can take advantage of any future discounts or cashback opportunities. Many stores offer unique deals and discounts that are only available to their reward members, further encouraging shoppers to sign up and save.
Bulk Buy
Some foods are significantly cheaper when bought in bulk. For food products that are frequently consumed in your household and are either pantry staples or safe to freeze, it makes good financial sense to purchase the product in larger quantities and freeze the extras for later use.
This style of shopping is particularly useful during special sales and promotions at your local grocery store, where you can take advantage of the lower prices without the fear of items crossing their expiration dates before being consumed.
Shop Alone
Impulse buying is one of the costliest habits you can have while grocery shopping. Shopping with children or your partner could increase the likelihood of buying something on a whim you didn’t budget for in your shop.
While it may not always be possible to head to the store alone, leave the family at home and add their requested items to your shopping list instead. This will allow them to get a selection of their favorite food without your budget falling victim to impulse buys.
Swap to Generic Products
It is no secret that name-brand products cost more than their generic counterparts. And while there may be some products you are not willing to compromise on, assessing your kitchen staples to find items that can be replaced with cheaper variations will add up in the long run.
Most generic products are manufactured and produced in the same factory as your favorite name-branded products. The extra price comes with brand recognition, while the quality of the item remains exactly the same. The best place to make the switch is with toiletries, cleaning products, and canned and non-perishable food
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