When it comes to your weekly grocery shop, a little pre-planning and forethought can equate to big savings in the long run. Get cashed up by getting clued in on how to save money on your grocery bill…
6 Tips for on how to save money on your grocery bill…
1.Stocktake
Take a stocktake of items you already have in your kitchen, while tossing out anything that’s past its expiry date. Got any produce that’s starting to wilt or fruit that’s looking a little bruised? Minimise waste by using them in a casserole, pie or cake. Then, using a spreadsheet or a humble notepad, create an inventory of the items you have.
2. Plan ahead
Planning your meals ahead ensures you buy only what you need and saves you grasping for unnecessary ‘last minute’ items when you get to the supermarket. Using the inventory you created, plan ahead for a fortnight of meals. Choose meals that can be spread over a couple of nights, or for dinner and lunch the next day. Leftovers = big cash savings on that grocery bill!
3. Eat before you shop
It may seem obvious, but it’s been proven that entering a supermarket with a rumbling tummy can increase our grocery bill by up to 15% due to impulse buys. Cut the temptation by eating a proper meal pre-shop!
4. Arrive prepared
Before you even think about stepping foot in that supermarket, write a list of every single item you need and follow it. This is imperative especially when planning ahead with meals to ensure you don’t forget anything and end up having to pop into a pricey convenience store mid-week. It also saves those last-minute impulse buys!
5. Buy veggies in season
When you purchase vegetables out of season, you pay extra for forced growing, storage and transportation costs. Not only is purchasing produce in season much healthier for you, but it’s also a lot cheaper. Do your research and find out what’s in season at www.seasonalfoodguide.com. If your recipe calls for a vegetable that’s not in season, substitute it with one that is! Easy!
6. Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk saves big bucks in the long run. Great items to bulk shop for include toilet paper, canned veggies and meat. When buying meat in bulk, instead of prime cuts of steak or chicken breast, opt for casserole meat and pop it into the slow cooker, or chicken thighs (which are great in a curry) and drumsticks and roast chickens (for a cheaper version of a Sunday roast).
For other great money-saving tips, check out these articles…
How To Save on Your Electricity Bill
Money When You Exercise
How to Save on Your Mobile Phone Bill
