Financial experts always advise people to save money whenever possible. A good way to start is to be mindful while shopping, even for small things like groceries and food supplies. Since grocery shopping must be done regularly, many use coupons to get a discount. But that’s not the only way to save money on groceries. Those who want to avoid the hassles of looking for coupons in newspapers and websites can use other money-saving tips.
Go night shopping
One of the best hacks for saving money on groceries is to shop at night, possibly after 8 pm. Grocery stores and supermarkets do not have a lot of customers visiting during this time, so shopping is easier. They also offer hefty discounts on perishable goods, such as meats and bakery goods, late in the evening. Since these items have limited shelf life and are not as fresh by the end of the day, the stores become keen on selling them off before closing time and, hence, slash prices. That said, one should use such products quickly and not store them at home for too long.
Sign up for loyalty programs
A lot of grocery stores run loyalty programs that customers can sign up for. After registering for the program, customers are awarded points for every purchase. So, the more someone purchases from a particular store (showing their “loyalty” toward it), the more points they earn. These points can then be accumulated and redeemed when desired. Against those accumulated points, the customer may get a discount during the final billing. Loyalty programs are usually free to sign up for, and registering for them is easy.
Get a grocery rewards card
Many credit cards offer reward points or cashback for purchasing from top supermarket chains in the country. Signing up for one of these cards and using it for all grocery purchases can help one save a lot in the form of cashback rewards. But when choosing a card, one must check if it offers rewards for shopping in one’s preferred or nearby stores.
Make a list and stick to it
One of the best budget grocery shopping tips is to create a list of items needed before going to the store. Without a list, one can get tempted to buy things that are not needed. This eventually increases the final bill. Moreover, without a fixed list, people tend to wander in different aisles, which increases the temptation of shopping for unnecessary or excess goods. So, it is better to carry a list and strictly stick to it to save money at the grocery store.
Do not cling to a specific brand
A big advantage of shopping at a grocery store is that its shelves are filled with products from multiple brands. This allows people to compare and determine which brand is selling their desired product for the lowest price. One can look at the ingredient list to check if the cheaper product from the alternate brand is the same as one’s preferred brand. While following this method, one must ensure that the brand offering the product for less is reliable and trusted. If it is, buying from it can be a great way to cut down on grocery costs.
Avoid pre-cut vegetables and fruits
When visiting grocery stores, one must check if there is an option to buy whole fruits and veggies. If there is, it is always better to buy whole products than pre-cut and packaged options. This is because the pre-cut and packaged variants cost slightly more than the whole ones. Similarly, pre-shredded cheese costs slightly more in grocery stores than a block of cheese. So, if one plans to buy cheese, it is better to pick the latter to save money.
Keep an eye out for flyers
One of the simplest ways to get discounts at grocery stores without coupons is to watch out for flyers and advertisements. When stores run sales and discounts, they often send out flyers to announce it. By keeping an eye out for them, one can ensure they do not miss amazing opportunities to cut down on grocery costs.
Buy what’s on sale
Grocery stores often have sales and discounts on different products. If someone has not prepared a fixed list of things to buy or stock for future meals, they can consider buying what is on sale. For instance, if a store is running discounts on chicken and potatoes, one can consider buying these and planning their meals accordingly to save money.
Buy in bulk
When a particular product is on sale at the grocery store, it is a good idea to buy it in bulk. To prevent the product from going bad, one can simply freeze it. This idea is especially recommended for food items that one prefers eating more often since it can help save a lot of money.
Use cashback apps
Several apps offer cashback for purchasing groceries online. A lot of these apps even have tie-ups with popular grocery stores and supermarket chains. This gives one a great opportunity to purchase groceries from their preferred stores and save money in the form of cashback rewards.
