We all know grocery shopping can get quite expensive these days and the temptations at stores are real! We found an awesome podcast on tips to stick with your budget each month but still get your necessities.
If you’d like to listen to the entire Frugal Friends podcast the link is HERE
Some of our favorite tips from this particular podcast are:
- Plan, Plan, Plan
- Create a shopping list before you buy. This seems super simple but it will play a huge part in making sure you are sticking with what you need and less of random wants.
- Make your meal plan for the week realistic. If you know you have sports games one night, don’t plan on a large meal that requires lots of preparation. (Unless you do have the time!)
- If you have a plan in place for the week’s meals, you will likely have more motivation to go to the store.
- If you send your partner out without a list, they will also likely spend more on a few other items you don’t necessarily need.
- Shop Alone
- Since you made the meal plan, it only makes sense to follow through and implement the plan yourself!
- Going with others (such as kids or partners) may coax you into buying more than you should.
- If you do go with others, make a rule that nothing else may be added to the list once you step foot in the store.
- Shopping with kids – if you do need to shop with your kids in tow, try to have them help you by checking off items on the list or have them look for the next item. You can also try shopping online and doing a pickup order so that no one gets distracted!
- Meatless Mondays
- You don’t have to become a vegitarian to enjoy a meatless meal once a week! Most people end up accidentally preparing a meatfree meal unintentionally.
- When you are meal planning, try to intentionally prepare for a meal without meat.
- Eggs are cheaper than chicken, beef, pork, etc. Just having one meatfree meal a week can help you save more and stick to your budget.
- Reverse Shopping
- Start in your freezer, fridge, and pantry – what do you already have, what could you use more of, what meals could you make with what you already have
- Doing this inventory check can help you avoid buying duplicates of items you really don’t need and help you meal plan with what you already have!
- Don’t Be Afraid Of Frozen
- Frozen isn’t unhealthy compared to fresh with produce.
- Having frutis and veggies all ready to go to use for your meals may help you keep the motivation to make your meals
- Having to do all the meal prep with fresh veggies can deter some from cooking and opt in for eating out.
- Know Where To Look
- Name brands are always at eye level or somewhere you would automatically look
- Don’t be afraid to look next to them for the generics.
- Usualy generic brands aren’t much different other than the price
- Do your research and look at the ingredients to compare
- Buy Bulk With A Buddy
- If you want to get the perks of cheaper prices from buying bulk, but don’t need that much food; shop with a friend that needs the same items. You can split the cost later and get what you need!
- Switch It Up
- Try changing the store you shop at.
- If you haven’t been saving money with some of the tips you’ve tried, try shopping somewhere different. It may be cheaper elsewhere
- You can try finding a cheaper store to shop at and if they don’t have everything you need, you can go back and try your other store for the rest of the items you still need.
If you are in need of budgeting help, the Kael Company would love to chat and see how we could help you!
