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Last Updated on March 3, 2021 by karissa ancell
I want to work on saving money on groceries and have been trying to cut down my food spending. These are the budget tips that I’ve been using and more articles to help you figure out your own budget. I’ve also included a free Grocery shopping List printable for you to use.
When you are on a budget it is helpful to save money where you can. Most of our bills are not in our control they are the same month to month. Your rent, your car payment, TV/internet, etc. They stay the same each month or close to it. Learning tips for saving money on groceries can bring down one of your biggest monthly expenses.
1. The first thing to do is to look at what you still had on hand in the freezer and pantry. Save money on groceries by breaking the bad habit of buying stuff you already have or more than you need.
2. Then think of what meals you’d like to make during the week. I find it to be a good idea to make enough for leftovers for lunch the next day. I don’t like cooking very much so most meals are pretty simple and quick to make. For me, it doesn’t work to assign a meal to a certain day, so I just came up with at least five meals and I’ll make them on the night that works. Our favorites are tacos bbq chicken with salad, hot dogs, spaghetti, sandwiches, and hamburgers.
3Meal planning works but to stick with it and be successful you need to figure out how to make it work for your family. For me not scheduling out specific days and getting to choose from a list of meals each day works best.
4. Then it’s important to make a shopping list keeping those meals in mind. Having a list will keep you on a budget when grocery shopping. Plus it will help you save on gas. You don’t want to have to drive into town to the store multiple times during the week. With gas prices so high we ait’s important to limit driving as much as possible.
5. Then on my list, I will sometimes just put fruit on the list and then wait till I get to the store to see what looks the best and are the best deals. Since Fruit is so seasonal I want to make sure I’m getting the best deal on the best product. Unless I am making something that needs a specific fruit.
I’m not an expert at this or anything but I’ve been working on saving money on groceries and it’s getting better. Recently we’ve been using the Ibotta app to help us save money on groceries. My husband loves using it to earn cash back! Instead of using coupons you earn cash back on the food you are buying anyway.
Before you shop, check the app for cash back offers on the products you are buying. When you get back from the store and are unloading your groceries, get back on the app to scan the products you bought and take a picture of your receipt. Just like that, cash back!
Sign up with this link to get $10!
To learn more about saving money on groceries here are some articles to help you out.
1. How to Save on Groceries, even when you don’t feel like it.
2. 5 Ways to stick to your Grocery Budget
4. How to cut your grocery bill in half
Grab a copy of my Grocery Shopping List printable for FREE this will help you to make your weekly list. Having a list is a crucial part of saving money on groceries.
Get your FREE List
Get your FREE Grocery List Printabble
Valenica Abbott says
These are such great tips! My biggest tip is to not shop with men Whenever I shop with Alan we spend a gazillion times more because he wants ALL THE THINGS haha!
Tatiana Green of Good Luck Mommy says
I have been trying to create and stick to a meal plan for a long time. But when it comes to that day and that meal I’m just not in the mood. When you said you have a list of meals you want to cook that week and just pick from them that gave me an aha moment. I will try that this week. Thanks.
Justine @ Little Dove says
I agree, shopping from your own pantry and freezer is so important! Whenever I try to do this I’m always surprised with what I can come up with.
Angela Kim says
These are great ideas. Thanks for letting us know about the app!
Belle says
These are such great tips! I’ll be sure to try these!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Elle says
Love these tips. When I do them, I always save money, time and headache at meal time. The trick is consistently doing it!! Thanks.
Elle recently posted…5 Important Lessons Adults Can Learn from Pee-Wee Soccer
Karissa says
Yes consistency is a struggle for me too!
Rachel @ Craving some Creativity says
Great tips! I can’t assign a meal to a particular day either. I just find myself not in the mood. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday!
erlene says
I like that you don’t assign a specific day for your weekly meals. I’ve been trying to get better at meal planning too and sometimes my hubby decides that he doesn’t feel like eating the “planned” meal and it throws a wrench in my meal planning. Thanks for sharing this on Merry Monday.
erlene recently posted…Merry Monday Link Party #19
Meghan Alonso says
Thanks so much for sharing this on Turn it up Tuesday! Saving money on groceries is a September goal of mine so I’m glad I got to read some of your pointers!
Meghan Alonso recently posted…Turn It Up Tuesday: Share Your Stories!
Karissa says
I’m glad it helped you. I’m going to be starting coupons soon to help my grocery budget more.
Jessica Doll says
Great tips! I have a hard time with our grocery budget because I only buy organic foods. I can find better deals at different stores but I usually go to 2/3 as it is.
Jessica Doll recently posted…Travel Tips / Sun Protection On The Go
Nikki Rae says
I recently organized our pantry and put things in clear containers so I can see just how much I have of everything. “Someone” in my house has a habit of using the last of something and not telling me until I go to grab for it.
Nikki Rae recently posted…Cemetery Spotlight: Pere Lachaise in Paris, France
Karissa says
Yeah, happens a lot in my house as well.
kristine foley says
Our food “budget” is what kills us every single month. Seriously need to do a meal plan and stick to it!
kristine foley recently posted…Romper Style – What I Wore + a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
Alicia @ Felt With Love Designs says
Great tips! Thank you for sharing.
Alicia @ Felt With Love Designs recently posted…Captain Kirk Deskmate (+Free Pattern!)
lauriel says
I like the meal pre-planning (with the scheduling done later), so that you know what the general gameplan for the week is (kind of like blogging! :D). I tend to ‘window-shop’ for food – getting whatever looks the best, or strikes my craving at the time. It’s not the most economical way to shop, but it’s fun, and makes it a bit of an adventure… and also forces me to get creative when I have a disparate assortment of foods to try to put together. 😉
Kudos for the food financial planning!
xo,
lauriel
EyeForElegance.com
lauriel recently posted…Expressing Yourself: How to Develop Your Self-Identity
Michelle says
These are really great tips–since I quit my job to stay home and write, saving money is crucial to me. Are you a couponer? I’m not an extreme couponer, but I’m addicted to couponing now. 🙂
Michelle recently posted…Review: MoYou London Sci-Fi Collection Plate 07
Hayley says
I love these suggestions! They are very similar to what we do around here!
Hayley recently posted…The importance of encouraging “the randoms”
Shana says
It is hard to save on groceries! Here we get paid monthly so I try to do shopping once a month and then just hit the grocery store on Mondays for fresh things I can’t keep for that long. I’ve managed to cut our budget down my 3/4! No lie! I spend a quarter of what I used to spend by cutting out luxuries, changing portion sizes and meal planning! It’s made a huge difference in our daily lives too! I also cook enough so we have lunch the next day! It works out much cheaper than making a fresh lunch each day! Hope you continue to do so good!
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Karissa says
That’s great!Thanks
Lisa Riggs says
I’ve been trying to save money on groceries too; I’ve gotten in the habit of food planning which is super helpful. I like making extra for leftovers too, that way we have lunch for the next day taken care of.
Karissa says
It really helps!
Lynette says
great article, lots of good tips, sometimes we do forget to look at what we really need before going shopping, the worst is when we don’t buy enough and than have to pick things up in the week, which is terrible for staying within our budget
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
Saving money on groceries is a toughie, especially since I love food so much. Ha!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted…The best meal of the day
Amby Felix says
It’s so difficult for us to save money on food since our diets consist of a lot of organic stuff. We still save by buying certain things in bulk like rice, beans, lentils etc.
Amby Felix recently posted…Raw Vegan Desserts Almond Butter Cacao Candy Cups
Michelle Snow says
Meal planning is a good idea. That is a big issue I have. Going to the grocery store day of, not knowing what I want to make. I always end up buying too much disjointed things.
Michelle Snow recently posted…I’m Oddly Chipper For Being Broke
Erin says
I’m such and over buyer! I need to use these tips! Thanks!
Erin recently posted…Vulnerability
Karissa says
I am really trying to watch the overbuying, such a problem.
Erin says
I’m such a over buyer! I need to use some of these tips!! Thanks!
Erin recently posted…Vulnerability