Yes, you can eat healthier while reducing your grocery bills . And you don’t have to be a rocket scientist, college professor, or first-rate shopper to do it. All you have to do is heed a little advice.
1. Smart grocery shopping starts with a well prepared shopping list. Spontaneity is the enemy. Make certain your list is complete so you’ll not need to shop again soon because every time you make a trip to the supermarket you run the risk of purchasing items you don’t really need. Anticipation and self-discipline are essential . Whatever you do , don’t shop while you are hungry. Do your best to stay away from junk food…it’s unhealthy and often costly.
2. Coupons can mean big savings, especially if you use both newspaper coupons and website coupons. There are some great coupon ites on the Internet: find them and visit them every week. Remember, however, to buy only what you only what youu require . Do not let coupons lure you into buying items you wouldn’t buy otherwise .
3. Consider generic store brands. Compare the ingredients and quantities to the brand name products you normally buy. If there’s not a big difference, take a chance . The worst that can happen is that you’ll discover that your usual brand is worth the higher price and you can return to it in the future. But it’s far more likely you will like the substitute and continue to pocket the savings .
4. Buy only in season, reasonably priced, fresh produce When you notice the price of strawberries and melons rising , it’s probably because they are being shipped in from warmer climates. When that happens you should opt for fruit that’s been flash frozen. That way you’ll get nutritious food without over- paying for fresh produce. Foods like potatoes, onions, and carrots are available in bulk at great savings.
You’ll be looking forward to hearing your total when you go to the register to see how much you have saved. But you may have other opportunities to save after you have selected all of your items. Be certain the prices are entered properly on your sales items, and make certain your coupons have not stuck together.
Whether you are a young, working adult, a college student, or a parent shopping for a family, a bit of thought and discipline can result in big savings and improved eating.