Buying groceries to feed your family can take up a large part of your monthly budget. But, you can reduce this amount by learning how to be a thriftier shopper. Use these tips to help you save money on groceries each time you shop.
8 Ways to Save Money on Groceries Without Using Coupons.
Apps to Save Money on Groceries
There are apps that can help you earn back money from your purchases. You can download these apps onto your phone. Ibotta and Check Out 51 are two of the popular ones.
Ibotta and Checkout 51 are coupon apps. That will reimburse your purchases on everyday items. Once you have downloaded the apps you can search for offers from stores you shop at. Then you add the offer to your list.
Once you have purchased the item you upload your receipt to the app. Then the amount of the offer is added to your account. Each app requires you to reach $20 before you can cash out the money.
Get Real Cash from Ibotta
All of your Ibotta earnings are transferable to PayPal or Venmo as soon as you’ve earned $20. If you’d rather convert your earnings into a gift card, you can do that, too.
I was actually able to get $30 back from Ibotta once. Which helped me buy a cute pair of these summer sandals!
Sign up for Ibotta
Cashing in with Checkout 51
Once your account balance reaches $20 you can cash out. Unlike Ibotta Checkout 51 will mail a check to you. So getting your cashback isn’t as easy as Ibotta.
I use Ibotta more then Checkout 51. I have never reached the threshold for Checkout 51 so I don’t know how easy it is to get the payout. But if you are buying the qualifying purchases it doesn’t hurt to try.
Sign up for Rewards Membership
Most stores offer a rewards program. Yes, you will have to give up information such as your email and address but doing so could get you better deals.
At the two grocery stores I shop at often, for every dollar you spend you can earn points. These points are good for getting money off when purchasing fuel for your vehilce. Also at the end of each
You have to spend $100 to get a dollar back which doesn’t seem like a lot. But I’m spending money there anyways so something is better than nothing.
Also for every $100 you spend you get ten cents off a gallon of fuel at participating gas stations. Again since you are spending the money anyway you might as well take advantage of the discount.
Buy from the Bulk Bins
Buying from the bulk bins can save you a lot. Things like flour, rice, oatmeal, beans, nuts, and dried fruit tend to be cheaper when buying from the bulk bins. But, to make sure you are saving, compare bulk prices to prepackaged prices.
Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk can save you money but make sure to compare prices first.
When looking at the price of an item look at the cost per ounce, pound or whatever measurement is used to see how much you are actually saving.
An example is when you’re buying toilet paper. I was buying a pack of 6 rolls of toilet paper. It was cheap and I didn’t think about how I could save more money if I bought a bigger pack.
But when I checked the price per sheet I found that I would save more by buying the larger package of toilet paper rolls.
Order Your Groceries Online
Yes, you do have to pay an extra fee when ordering online. But often if you buy certain items you’ll receive a credit for the fee. What’s appealing about shopping online is you buy exactly what you need.
It’s easier to stick to your grocery list. Impulse buying is lessened because you are not seeing all of the products for sale. So you can stay on budget and shop for exactly what you need.
Meal Plan Around Weekly Ads
Check the weekly ads before you meal plan for the week. Try to buy what’s on sale to plan your meals. This week where I do most of my grocery shopping, whole chickens are on sale for less than a dollar a pound.
I know I can make at least three different meals with a whole chicken.
Also, try to buy meats when it’s on sale. When ground beef is under three dollars a pound I like to buy a lot to stock my freezer.
Make a List and Stick to it
Once you have a plan for your meals write a list and only buy what’s on the list and nothing else.
Many people tend to go over budget because they see things at the store they think they need when they don’t.
Having a list helps you to stay focused and aware of the things you need to buy and the things that you don’t.
Check your Pantry and Freezer First
Be aware of what you already have before you head to the grocery store. There have been so many times while I’m shopping that I will get more of when I already have in my pantry.
Or I think I have the item so I don’t buy it. But when I get home I find out that I don’t have it. So I end up having to make another trip to the grocery store. And while I’m there I pick up more items then I intended too, So I end up spending more money.
Also, make sure you know what you already have on hand. When you know what you need you won’t overspend.
Plan to Save Money on Groceries
Before you leave to go grocery shopping, be sure to check out the apps. Like Ibotta and the rewards membership of the store. To see if there are any extra savings on items that are on your grocery list.
Then while at the store buy in bulk if it’s cheaper to do so. Make sure to always check how much you are paying by the measurement of the item. To see if it’s worth buying more.
If your the type to always buy more then what’s on your list try ordering your groceries online. There is a fee to have someone else pick out your groceries. But it will be a lot easier to stick to your list and your budget.
Make sure to check the weekly ads and meal plan according to what is on sale. And once you have made your list stick to it.
While making your list make sure to check your supplies to see what you have and what you need. That way you are not buying more or less of an item.
I hope you found these tips useful. How do you save money on groceries? Let me know in the comments:)
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