How You Can Keep Your Grocery Budget

It's easier to cut spending on eating out or streaming services, but feeding a family can run up a hefty supermarket bill. The average American household spent $4,942 on groceries in 2020, or $412 monthly.

You may have noticed that the cost of meat products rose nearly 12.2%, including poultry, beef, eggs and seafood. As supply chain hiccups and manufacturing issues lead to inflation, grocery expenses will likely increase until late 2022 or 2023.   

Whether you're a college student with a part-time job between classes, or full-time working parents trying to feed a family of four, here are some tips for you to stick to a tighter grocery budget and save money.

1.  Use a Grocery List

It's easy to overshop for more than we can eat at one time. Sometimes, we forget what we set out for in the first place. 

Just like you keep a to-do list for household chores and other daily tasks, making a budget-friendly grocery list can help you stay organized and on track with just the essentials. 

Bringing a grocery list while food shopping may seem like an obvious decision, but sometimes you need a reminder. How often do you stop at the supermarket on the way home from somewhere to grab a few things? 

Even jotting down the items you need in your phone is more effective than walking into a store without a plan and it'll keep you from buying things you don't need.

2.  Sign Up for Store Rewards Programs

Check with your local grocery store to see if they have a rewards program you can opt into. Rewards programs are free discount cards, points cards or rewards cards that you can use for special sale prices and money off your bill.  

Sometimes, you may not be able to purchase a product at the sale price without a rewards membership. To ensure you always buy items at a discount, have the cashier scan your card or look up your membership by phone number. You can use your rewards card for online shopping, as well. 

Sometimes, a store rewards program allows you to save in other ways, too. Your grocery store may allow you to apply the accumulated points for money off your next gas bill. Some gas stations will ask for your supermarket rewards membership information when you pay at the pump.

3.  Cook at Home

Eating out and ordering delivery is nearly five times more expensive than whipping up a homecooked meal for you and your family. Many people don't enjoy cooking or know how to, though. 

Believe it or not, learning to cook can save you lots of money at the grocery store, especially if you use easy recipes with simple ingredients.  

When you cook at home, you know exactly what goes into your food and how much of each ingredient you need. You may even be able to buy your ingredients on sale, which will cost you less than one meal at a restaurant. Plus, you may end up with extra nonperishable spices, vinegar or other oils for next time.  

Better yet, you can use your leftovers to make budget-friendly lunches for work or school.

4.  Shop at Different Stores

Limiting yourself to only one grocery store will cause you to miss out on great deals elsewhere. Keep in mind that every supermarket is different and is constantly competing to give customers the best deal on products. 

You may find that grocery stores in the next town offer better discounts than your local store, as well. Take advantage of these bargains by searching for the best deals and price drops. Nobody said you had to purchase all your goods in one place.

In the alternative, use the internet to do your research with less time and hassle. If you purchase at online grocery stores like flanagan, you can get the best prices and better discounts than at your local supermarket.

5.  Shop Store Brands

Many supermarkets have store-brand items that are cheaper alternatives than commercial goods. While it's common for customers to bypass store brands when they shop, inflation is causing many people to reconsider. 

Store-brand products are just as delicious as commercial items; however, they're produced and packaged by the actual store.  

While you may not be able to find a store-brand item for every name brand, you can often find them available as canned foods, condiments, coffee, deli cold cuts and meats. Some grocery stores, like Publix, also have an organic store-brand line of products.

6.  Store Groceries Correctly

How many times have you bought produce only for it to go bad before you get around to eating it? Although canned foods, seasonings and other dry items have a longer shelf life, perishables are different.  

Fruits and vegetables should go in the refrigerator as often as possible. However, you'll still need to buy fresh produce every week or two, regardless of whether you store them in the fridge properly. 

On the other hand, meals and bread should be stored in the freezer immediately after you unload your groceries. When you freeze meats and bread, they can last weeks or even months longer. This is an excellent opportunity for you to stock up when they're on sale, too. 

If you're trying to save money on your grocery bill, properly storing food will prevent food waste and overspending. 

Save Money on Groceries With a Tight Budget

It's easy to get the hang of budgeting your grocery shopping. While it may take a little extra time to plan your meals and your grocery list, the money you'll save will make it worth the effort. Remember that even small savings can add up quite a bit by the end of the year.