As gas prices go up, so does the price of food, and families everywhere are starting to feel the pinch. Whereas frugal living was once a fad, for many, it’s quickly becoming a necessity. The good news is that there are a number of ways to save money on groceries, and you can use one or all of them every time you visit the store. If you’re having trouble making ends meet, then give these five strategies a try. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save.
Clip Coupons
Clipping coupons are the classic way to save money on groceries and still one of the best. While the average coupon may save you anywhere from 25 cents to $1 when you multiply that by 100 items, the savings can add up quickly. In addition to the coupons you receive in the mail, you can look online for printable coupons for specific items that you’d like to buy. To some people, this may sound like a lot of trouble, but if you’re going to buy an item anyway, then you might as well use a coupon and save yourself some cash. You can find the best online coupons at DontPayFull.
Buy in Bulk
If you’ve been thinking of buying groceries in bulk, then now is the perfect time to start. Buying in bulk not only saves you money on each item you buy but saves you money on gas as well. Fewer trips to the grocery store mean more money in your pocket, and that’s the whole idea. To get the best prices on everything from toothpaste and shampoo to canned goods and soda, try shopping at places like Costco or Sam’s Club. Just remember to bring a list as the low prices can tempt you to buy a lot of things you don’t need.
Buy Generic
The next time you visit the grocery store, skip the brands you normally buy and make a point of buying the generic equivalents. Not only will you notice a drastic difference in prices, but you may find very little difference in quality. If you continue to prefer certain brands over others, that’s fine. Just remember that there’s no sense in paying more for a name when a store brand may be just as good. If you don’t like a particular item, then you can always switch back to your favorite brand.
Eat at Home
Gas, tips and high menu prices combine to make eating at restaurants an expensive way to go. If you’re someone who typically dines out several times per week, then you can save a lot of money by eating at home. The key here is to focus on cooking as a fun activity rather than a chore. Remember, you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen making everything from scratch. You can cook canned or instant foods or use the microwave. If you order a lot of pizza, then buying a frozen brand can save you hundreds of dollars per year.
Plant a Garden
If you’ve avoided buying fruits and vegetables due to the high prices, then planting a garden can be a good alternative. Most fruits and vegetables require very little care beyond the occasional watering, and the choices are practically limitless. For a few dollars worth of seeds, you can supply your family with all the fresh produce they care to eat. There’s no better way to save on groceries than by growing them yourself.
If you’re shocked by today’s food prices, then follow the strategies that smart shoppers use every day. Your wallet will thank you.
Marla Jones says
i am commenting 🙂 nice site
Marcy Strahan says
I try to match coupons with sale, eat at home ect. The garden thing? Well, seems like I do not have a green thumb! I do stop by road side local vendors fruit & veggies stands. This support my local ecomony & they have prices sometimes lower than the supermarket & the produce is Fresher!
Gianna says
Some stores also accept a manufacturers and their in store coupon per item. I always check coupon policies to see which stores do.
Buddy Garrett says
Great tips. I already do all of them except plant a garden. My skills at planting leaves a lot to be desired.
Iliana B says
All great practices to save money: buy bulk, buy with coupons, buy during a sale.
Samantha says
Great tips! I’ve always been so lazy to clip coupons! I will start using them more often and have the kids help me cut them out!
kathy pease says
These are all great tips and in todays economy every penny saved counts..Everything is getting so expensive.
Christian Alejandro says
I have eaten at home more often. It’s great because I’ve saved money and started getting better eating habits out of it.
Mya Murphy says
These are some great tips. I however, already do them. I will spread the message. TY.
Anita L says
These are some wonderful tips. I try to use coupons when ever possible and this year we are growing a garden. Hubby does not care much for generic brands, but I sneak them in on occasion!
Holly Kennedy says
I love all of your ideas, but with only two people and living in an apartment(no yard) it’s difficult. I try freezing foods but it’s not the same as fresh.
s riches says
I do every one of your suggestions. The one I enjoy the most is picking fresh vegetables from my garden.
Ed Nemmers says
Couponing is extremely beneficial!
Linda Meyers-Gabbard says
I use coupons shop generic eat at home. No room for a garden. We still have more month than food because of the cost of our prescriptions and medical bills.
Susan Smith says
I do all of the tips except for plant a garden. I don’t have the room for one. We limit going out to dinner to once a week and choose places that we have coupons for.
courtney b says
eating at home is what we’ve been trying to do, but its haaardd ! we love to go out to eat….
Richard Hicks says
Good basic tips to save money. Buying in bulk really helps if you have the storage
sheila ressel says
I pretty much follow all of the above except I don’t have a veggie garden but I do have an herb garden.
Carrie Wampler says
Great tips that almost everyone can do! I can do them all except the garden as I live in an apartment. I buy generic most of the time as I really can’t tell a difference in taste but I can in price!
crystal smith says
I completely agree when it comes to trying generic products. It took us a little experimenting to figure out where we had to stick with name brand and where we could save with generic because the quality was very close. Believe it not we even found a few items where we really prefer the generic version!
Lisa Brown says
I do all of the above already. I have had to always find ways for make shopping for food and groceries cheaper.
shaunie says
If i had to chose an option, I would go with growing my own garden. I love to garden and to eat healthy this would be a perfect way to save money
Sarah L says
I’ve been buying generic for years. My big tips are: Always have a list and stick to it; Never go to the store hungry.
Sherrie C. says
Great tips and I have 3 our of 5 of these down already. I clip coupons, buy generic whenever I can, and eat at home for the most part. No need to buy in bulk anymore as my kids are grown and I haven’t gotten around to planting a garden although I will at some point. Thanks 🙂
Jill H says
All great tips and I use all of them!
Barbara Montag says
Wow great tips!
I especially like the one about planting a garden.
You can plant organic and save lots.
alyssa k says
coupons and shopping around also follow blogs for coupon specials
Rosie says
I do all of these as much as possible, it is an ongoing process, but once u get into the habit, it is second nature!
Tammy S says
Great tips. I use a lot of coupons to help save on our groceries. We also plant a garden and that helps a lot with the price on fruits and veggies.
cassie says
the garden is the best tip of all for us! we eat a ton of fresh produce. we just need to find the space to put a garden in. lots of our yard is shady
Betsy Barnes says
Great tips, we do all of them except growing our own garden, which we are considering it next year. 🙂
Amber says
I started a vegetable garden this year and it’s been a fun project!
kristi gruwell says
Great website
Denise Taylor-Dennis says
These are all very good tips, I save at least $1000 every year with coupons. I couldn’t imagine not using coupons.
kolpin says
also, buy fruits and veggies! they’re so much cheaper than all the fancy pre-packaged diet stuff
Elena says
Great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Cheryl says
I have recently begun keeping track of my coupon usage and am surprised how quickly even a few coupons can add up to a big savings.
hey wheats says
I planted a garden this year. It’s not huge but it’s amazing how much food can come from such a small space! Wow!
Cynthia C says
Great tips. I also study the circulars and plan menus around sale items for the week.
Sandra Beeman says
All of these tips for reduced-money shopping tactics are right on point! Within my family, we often buy in bulk and use a swap and share system to cover each other’s needs.
Natalie F says
Thanks for the tips, we are strongly considering a garden next year. I would add if you don’t have a garden, the Farmers Market is often less expensive and good quality. That is what we are currently doing, I can often negotiate.
Janet W. says
I don’t think we would survive financially if I didn’t clip coupons and buy in bulk! I’ve saved so much money over the years. We try not to eat out too often because that would make us go broke!
Maria Iemma says
I already do some of the tips and I appreciate the post and the information. It is incredible how high the prize of food is now…
megan d. says
Great tips. I wish I could plant a garden but I live in a condo. I would love to grow my own fresh fruits and veggies.
Mer says
Some great tips! I’m really enjoying my garden this year; it saves me money on groceries and it’s fun to take care of it and watch the plants grow! I’m looking forward to canning my excess produce, so we’ll have some homegrown veggies and jam later in the year!
Michele P. says
all great ideas to save $ when times are rough…. I also look for corresponding rebates and combine coupons with rebates to send in later to save even more
Christie R says
I like the idea of buying in bulk but there’s only 2 of us in the household.
Margot C says
I am crazy about buying stuff in bulk. We have a whole shelf in the garage for extra supplies like peanut butter bought on sale.
Sandy VanHoey says
Gosh, I’d be lost without using coupons. I save so much every week just by getting them doubled and using on sale items. It’s awesome!
I tried the garden a couple years ago but something keeps eating everything I plant. I gave up finally