Have you noticed how much of your overall budget you spend on groceries? Grocery shopping is a significant expense for most families and households, but there are ways to make it more affordable. Whether you’re saving to buy a house, put the kids through College, or just want some extra spending money… Here are few tips to avoid extra expenses on groceries:
- Shop on a full stomach. You’ll buy less snacks and/or things you don’t usually buy – and only buy groceries, not gifts and all the extra stuff, at the grocery store.
- Shop without the kids. Kids are kids, they will want everything in the store – presents, toys and sugary junk food that costs an arm and a leg. So, if you can, try shopping without small children throwing extra things into your cart 😉
- Make a list beforehand and follow it strictly. Specially while shopping with kids.
- Plan out what you will be eating in the week and get things accordingly. You can plan the kids lunches ahead of time and prep dinners in the crock pot!
- Shop only once a week. You’ll tend to spend more if you stop at the store every day or several times a week.
- Shop when you have energy and aren’t worn out from a busy day. It’s easier to focus and make wise choices when you’ve got energy and aren’t preoccupied.
- Return your bottles and cans for the deposit that you paid. If you’ve got kids, get them to help with this job and let them keep the cash they earn.
- Shop in familiar stores when you’re tired, stressed or in a hurry. You’ll find what you need and be able to get out with what you need quickly.
- Plan meals so that you have leftovers for lunch the next day, or freeze leftovers for a quick meal another day.
- Package your own treats, juices and snacks. Buy the large package or snacks and a box of baggies and make your own individually wrapped packages to grab on the run.
These are few tips which can help you with your budget.
