Food prices have gotten increasingly expensive, and I don’t know bout ya’ll but I’m struggling and I’m over it. I love cooking and eating good food, but DAMN it is killing my bank account! I had to learn how to save money on groceries because this girl is not eating ramen and Kraft mac n’ cheese to save a buck.
It’s no secret that living expenses, including food, are out of control and we’re all doing our best to make do with what we have. Recently, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to lower that pesky grocery bill, and I’m here to share my newfound wisdom!
No, I don’t spend hours couponing and have a giant stash of shampoo in my basement.
While I respect the shit out of the people who can take their $100 grocery bill down to $0.38, but let’s be realistic, it’s not possible for everyone. However, with that being said, I do love my coupons, but like… in a healthy way.
1. Meal Prepping
Something I’ve included in my weekly habits is spending time meal prepping. It’s helped me reduce food waste and make eating throughout the busy week, much easier.
Does meal prepping really save you money?
Yes, you can save money by meal prepping! One of the best ways to keep yourself from ordering out or wasting food is to meal prep. I put aside time every week to meal prep as much as possible so that I’m prepared for the week and not tempted to pay ridiculous prices for delivery.
Prepping breakfast and lunch ahead of time makes weekday meals a breeze. When needing to eat becomes just another task, ready-made meals save you time and hassle when shit gets busy.
2. Your Freezer is Your Friend
I feel like this is a simple one, but it took me too long to figure out for some reason. The freezer is a great meal preparation tool and we should utilize it to its fullest potential.
I freeze everything from full meals to ingredients like bread and sauce, which helps us reduce food waste and save money on groceries. The amount of money I’ve saved on hot dog and hamburger buns because I started freezing the rest of the bag… total game changer.
What food is good for storing in the freezer?
I love meal-prepping breakfast burritos and breakfast sandwiches and keeping them in the freezer. They are great for tossing in the microwave for a quick and tasty breakfast.
Keeping various proteins in the freezer is a smart money-saving habit. Always buy protein in bulk or when it’s on sale. Afterward, make sure to separate them into reasonable portions so you’re not left wasting any of it.
Full meals are my favorite for storing in the freezer! No cooking and good food? Sign me up! 😎 Easy dinner options like chicken pot pie, homemade pizza, pasta meals, and stew are great for storing in the freezer. Anytime I make a big batch of something, the rest goes in the freezer (eating the same meal four nights in a row never sounds appealing).
3. Buy Seasonal Produce
One of my favorite summer activities is going to the farmers market. I love checking out the booths, soaking in the sun, and I’m a sucker for spicy pickles.
As great as it is to buy from local farmers, for most of us, it’s just not possible to do every week for groceries. If time doesn’t allow for a trip to the market, then your local grocery store is still a great place to buy seasonal produce.
Is food cheaper when it’s in season?
Yes, producing produce during its off-season is more costly, so we see cost savings when produce is in season. This is why we bring watermelon to a summer BBQ and eat squash at Thanksgiving.
Produce is cheaper and tastier when you buy it in season. It’s a great opportunity to save money on groceries and include your favorite produce in your weekly meal planning.
Pro Tip: Make extra of your favorite foods with seasonal produce and freeze what you can. My grandma always had jars of her famous raspberry jam in her freezer to enjoy all year long.
4. Invest in Reusable Bags
Some of those pesky grocery items that can start to add up are Ziploc bags, cling wrap, tinfoil, etc. By investing in reusable options you can save money in the long run and feel good about being environmentally savvy and sustainable.
There are some not-so-great options for reusable Ziploc bags out there, I get it, I’ve tried many, but these dishwasher-safe bags are by far my favorite ones. They seal easily and reliably plus it’s easy to just flip them inside out for washing.
5. Buy In Bulk
The thing is, it’s just cheaper per unit when you buy more of it. Even though I don’t like trying to find the space for 36 rolls of freaking toilet paper, I don’t like buying 6 at a time because I know I’m spending more doing that. And you’re gonna use it anyway, so why not buy it in bulk then?
Invest in buying things you know you will use eventually, especially if you have a coupon for it or if it’s on sale. You don’t need to go crazy and hoard 20 bottles of shampoo and 10 bottles of laundry detergent in your garage. That’s just excessive and unnecessary and will drive your grocery bill up.
6. I Have a Coupon for That
The amount of times I’ve bought something and justified it because “I had a coupon for it” is probably laughable. I know I’m not alone, and I do love coupons, but I gotta start with it… Don’t go buying everything in the store you have a coupon for.
I’ve fallen victim to this thinking, and it ends up blowing up my grocery bill instead of reducing it. Any time you are using coupons, before you add that item to your grocery list, ask yourself “will I 100% use this?” If the answer is no, put the damn coupon away.
Where can I find coupons?
There are many options out there, and some will depend on where you live, but there’s no doubt that coupons can save you money on groceries. These are the top two places I find coupons to save money on food:
- Grocery store – I shop at King Soopers (Kroger), and I love their loyalty program. Their app is super convenient and I can just scroll and clip coupons in my jammies on the couch.
I scan my Soopers card before paying and the digital coupons are automatically deducted. And ooohh boy do I love watching the bill drop after that beep!
- In the mail – I get coupons in the mail from local businesses in my area, so definitely check to see if this is something your city offers. The coupons are usually everything from oil changes and lawn care services to the local pet stores and breweries.
I also receive coupons for brands I buy frequently in-store. Loyalty programs are great for saving money and lowering your grocery bill!
7. Cash-Back Apps
I can’t talk about coupons without talking about their dear friend, cash-back apps! This was something I waited too long to try out because it is waaay easier than I thought it would be!
What are cash-back apps?
A cash-back app is essentially a rebate program and you get points or coupons when you purchase specific items. They operate similarly to coupons, but their biggest difference is when you get paid for buying the item.
When you use a physical or digital coupon you receive the discount before you pay. With a cash-back app you purchase the item, upload your receipt, and then receive the discount. After you reach a certain amount of money or points you can access your rewards through real cash or gift cards.
Cash-back apps to try
The two main cash-back apps I am using right now are iBotta and Swagbucks. Before making my grocery list and meal plan for the week, I like to scroll through the apps and see if there is anything worth adding to my list.
After I’m done grocery shopping I upload the receipt to each app and I’m done! It’s that easy. After using iBotta for two months I already have over $20 in cash back.
I’m still getting used to Swagbucks and find it a little more complicated to use compared to iBotta. If you’re just getting started I recommend starting with iBotta because it’s for sure #1 in cash-back apps.
8. Read the Weekly Ads
Before planning any meals for the week and writing a single ingredient on my grocery list, I check the weekly ads. You will always save money on groceries if you’re shopping the sales!
My boyfriend and I love cooking, and his thing is smoking meat so for us it’s a no-brainer to always try and find the best deals on meat. Just last week it was buy one get one free on pork butts! Oscar smoked the first one and I put the other in the freezer for later.
Other items to stock up on when they go on sale are butter, toilet paper, pasta, cheese (did you know you can freeze cheese to extend its shelf-life!), sauces, and your favorite snacks just to name a few.
9. Credit card
We’ve probably all been lectured on the consequences of abusing credit cards and the realities of getting yourself into trouble with them. Be responsible. This one might not be for everyone, but it can be a great way to maximize your savings on everyday living expenses like groceries.
Is it possible to save money on groceries with a credit card?
The short answer is yes, of course! As long as you are using your credit card responsibly you will save money on groceries with perks such as rewards and cash-back opportunities.
There are a ton of options out there, so pick the one that works best for you! Make sure you understand the reward benefits to maximize your savings and don’t forget to pay it off regularly. You will build your credit score up while saving money on groceries!
10. Eat the Damn Leftovers
I know I know, this one isn’t my favorite either, but it makes a pretty big impact on your grocery bill. From making sure to use ingredients that are about to expire to eating the last bit of lasagna that you’ve had three nights in a row. Eating your leftovers will be sure to save you money.
Tips on how to always eat your leftovers
Eating leftovers is rarely the more appealing option when it comes to deciding on dinner, but it does have its place. There’s no cooking involved for the evening. Just nuke it in the microwave and spend all that extra time you saved reading a book or taking a bubble bath.
Here are some things I do to make sure I’m reducing food waste and nourishing my budget:
- Freeze what you know you won’t eat. Any time I make a large amount of something such as pulled pork, chicken pot pie, and even cookies I will add what might go to waste in the freezer. Seriously, it’s amazing how many things we can freeze that we just… haven’t been taught to.
- Repurpose it into something different. We might make pork ribs one night and instead of having pork ribs the next night, we switch it up by making rib sandwiches instead. Most proteins are quite versatile. Leftover chicken, steak, or pulled pork can be repurposed into sandwiches, tacos, enchiladas, pizza, nachos, quesadillas, the list goes on. Experiment and have fun with it. Dinner might get a little strange, but there’s nothing wrong with that!
- Include leftover nights in your weekly dinners. I usually have a pretty good idea when something I’m making will end up with more servings than people for the evening. I’ve noticed that if I add a leftover night into my weekly plan it’s much easier to follow through with it. Plus, it means I get an evening off of cooking!
- Just suck it up. Yeah, sometimes it sucks to eat leftovers, but stay strong and don’t be tempted to order delivery instead. Think of all the fees!
Final Thoughts
Grocery prices are out of control, but unfortunately, we still gotta eat. And like many others, I don’t feel like sacrificing my health or good food because of grocery prices. I am past my time of eating like shit and not caring what goes in my body. I want complete meals that are nutritious and delicious, and I don’t wanna eat the cheapest thing just to save a buck or two.
By doing these things I’ve successfully cut down my grocery bill and in turn, it’s made me more conscious of how much I’m spending at the store and what I’m eating. I’ve learned how to be more creative in my cooking and how to repurpose leftovers to be appealing. If it’s possible for me then it is for you too!
I hope this helps and please comment below if you’ve learned anything new, have anything to add, or just want to share your thoughts!
Talk again soon! –Annie
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