Grocery shopping is often the biggest family expense. Though not everyone notices, monthly food shopping bills make one of the largest shares of family spending, even if it seems that only the most necessary items are purchased.
A Fact about Grocery Shopping
According to the Consumer Expenditure Survey conducted by Bureau of Labor Statistics, one person spends $285 for grocery shopping monthly. A family of three - $626 monthly. So, let’s save money. Use these simple tips to reduce the amount of money spent on groceries, while still buying everything needed for a usual menu.
Saving Money Tips
- Compare prices. Choose a day to visit all the local food shops to compare their offers. Don’t buy anything, just look, and return home. Now you know where each particular item is cheaper to buy.
- Plan the menu. Decide what the family will eat till the next grocery shopping day comes. This will help to get a much clearer idea of what should be bought this time. So, instead of wondering along the shelves and picking whatever seems appropriate, you will already be sure what should be bought when leaving home for food shopping.
- Make a shopping list. Having planned the menu, it’s pretty easy to make a list of groceries that it will require. In such a way only the necessary food will be bought.
- Eat before going grocery shopping. When a person is hungry, they are likely to buy more. In addition, the seductive smell of bakery that one may smell in almost any grocery store is likely to call for an even stronger appetite and more spending as a result.
- Use grocery coupons. Hundreds of dollars can be saved annually with the help of coupons and product incentives. While the discount received for one purchase may seem insignificant, all together they are sure to save a considerable amount of money for food shopping.
- Shop alone. Any company, especially children, are very likely to be full of suggestions and ideas on what else should be bought. So, don’t let it happen: shop alone, and stick to the shopping list.
- A famous brand is not always the best. Don’t be tempted by a loud brand name. Many products of local suppliers may be of the same good quality, but less expensive. So, save money by giving preference to quality supported by price, not by a brand name.
- Read the unit price. Not everyone is able to calculate the per pound price when looking at the package price. So, only comparing unit prices can give an idea about what is the cheapest and best deal.
- Use cash. With a shopping list and a clear idea about what should be bought, it’s pretty easy to estimate approximately how much will be spent. Leave credit cards at home, and take only the needed amount of cash, plus a little bit more (just in case). Now, there is simply no chance to spend more.
- Avoid impulse buying. Buy only what is needed and planned to be purchased. The product’s being on sale does not mean you need it. So, follow the plan, and don’t purchase on impulse.
While a lot of money is spent for grocery shopping by each family every month, the overall expenses can be reduced. Plan, compare prices and brands, and follow shopping lists. Now, following the above tips let’s start saving money on food shopping!
Sources:
Internal Revenue Service. “National Standards: Food, Clothing and Other Items”. IRS.gov. United Stated Department of Treasury, 2009.
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