It’s no secret that the price of groceries seems higher than ever. Many of us may not-so-jokingly wonder if we need to take out a loan before browsing the meat aisles.
The Washington Post reports that grocery prices have spiked by 25% over the past four years, causing families and even single shoppers around the country to worry that their cupboards may end up bare. With certain uncontrollable elements such as large-scale weather events or avian flu impacting grocery prices, becoming more resourceful in our shopping habits is a must.
The good news is that with some creativity and flexibility, we can avoid the common issues that turn the checkout lane into a money trap. Here are seven such money traps to avoid when it comes to grocery shopping.
Buying for Just One Meal at a Time
Creating a long-term meal plan can ensure variety for our taste buds, and it can also leave a better taste in our budgets. When you only shop meal-by-meal, you risk buying more ingredients than needed and potentially watching food — and dollars — go to waste. Instead, plan shopping lists that stretch items over multiple meals.
One user in a Reddit forum devoted to budget foods shared that they often turn eggs into frittatas that freeze well, combining them with other meats or veggies for a quick and cheap meal. That same user also discussed using shredded carrots with ground meat and spices to pump up the volume of their meatballs, making more food with fewer ingredients.
Looking for Organic in All the Wrong Places
While certain high end grocery stores may have built a brand on high quality organic foods (here’s lookin’ at you, Whole Foods), trekking out to these stores can leave you coming away with a receipt that will make your eyes water (and not your mouth).
The truth is — you don’t need to go to these stores, or even the organic aisles of most big grocery chains, especially if you want to save money.
As GOBankingRates previously reported, becoming a regular at your local farmers’ markets can help you save big on organic produce, provided that you go at the last hour of the day, when many sellers are looking to offload their supply at major discounts.
Leaving Good Discounts on the Table
Most major grocery chains offer daily or weekly flyers chock full of coupons and other discounts. When you walk past these flyers on your way into the store, you often leave these discounts in the dust.
Before creating your grocery list for the week, it’s worth exploring those flyers online or even popping by the store to quickly grab a copy so you can plan your meals around items for sale. Joining loyalty programs is another way to get great deals and other reduced prices.
Not Taking Stock of Your Current Stock
Sometimes, the best place to “grocery shop” is in your own pantry. If you set out for the store without checking to see what you already have, you risk buying duplicate goods that will only go bad because you can’t use them all at once.
Maggie Turansky, founder and head recipe developer at No Frills Kitchen, advises people to start their grocery shopping at home. “Pay attention to what you have that may be expiring in your refrigerator and plan some meals to use up those things instead of buying more,” she explained. “Not only can this save money, but it also minimizes food waste.”
Expecting To Get Everything From One Place
It’s easy to do all your shopping during one trip, at one store. But if you insist on limiting yourself to the store that’s closest, or only shopping at big box chains, you’re hemming yourself into a specific set of prices.
A willingness to make multiple trips to different kinds of stores (within reason) will help you get the best value. For instance, you might find cheaper paper goods or cleaning supplies at a Dollar General while a local market specializing in Indian wares might offer lentils in bulk at a great price.
Hassan Sanders, founder and CEO of Diabetic Insurance Solutions, encourages shoppers to get strategic about where they find what they need. “[Showing] a willingness to diversify shopping venues, from local farmers’ markets and discount stores, to making bulk purchases at warehouse clubs, can … offer quality goods at a fraction of the cost seen in traditional grocery stores,” he said.
Not Buying in Bulk
Choosing not to buy items in bulk is one of the biggest ways to lose out on savings. Simply put, the smaller the item — whether it’s a package of paper towels or frozen chicken — the faster you must replace it. All those replacements beef up your grocery bills, when you should be looking for lean cuts.
According to Gabrielle Marie Yap, senior editor and culinary entrepreneur at CarnivoreStyle, buying in bulk is essential for savings. “Bulk buying is my secret weapon when it comes to slashing those grocery expenses,” she said “I kicked things off by grabbing essentials like rice, pasta, and canned goods in larger quantities. Turns out, the price per unit drops significantly when you go big … This trick has been my grocery budget superhero, swooping in to rescue me with an extra 15% in savings.”
Shopping While Hungry
Maybe you think you’ll just be in and out of the store. Maybe you think you’ll just grab a granola bar or a quick snack at the checkout line. But if you go to the grocery store when your belly is rumbling, your wallet is likely to be grumbling because everything looks delicious.
In fact, studies have shown that shoppers who are hungry have spent 64% more money (and not just for food!) than shoppers on a full stomach. So, eat an apple, or two, before you hit the stores. Or, even better, plan to go shopping after you’ve had a full meal.
