Is it me or is the cost of groceries only going up? It seems every time I visit the store, the things I buy are more and more expensive. I know the stores know it too because they highlight various products that have had their price frozen. This lets you know you are still paying the same price as before (and tricks you into thinking it is therefore a deal). As my frustration rose from higher prices, I started to look for some ways to save some money on the things I buy. Below are three ways I’ve started to save money on groceries [1].
3 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries
- Buy Produce at Farmers Markets.
The cost of produce is one area that seems to never stop going up. As a result, I’ve started to shop at farmers markets and roadside stands. I’ve found the quality to be better – they are fresher buying direct – and the price is cheaper too.At the grocery store a pound of tomatoes costs me $2 whereas at the farmers market it is just $0.89. On average the amount I save on produce is between 10-15%.
Take some time to find some farmers markets or roadside stands in your area. You want to search around as some may have different items and others might be priced more competitively. You can also look into a CSA [2].
- Shop Around.
This is an oldie but a goodie worth mentioning. If you are shopping at one store, you are missing out. You have to shop at multiple stores as they all have different things on sale and their regular prices are different.A can of tuna fish at the store I frequent most is $0.89. I walked into the other grocery store down the block and happened to be in the aisle with the tuna. I checked out the price and it was $0.59. And this wasn’t even the sale price! At the end of the day, it pays to shop around.
To make this most effective, make a list of your frequent purchases and then visit a few stores and note their prices. Then compare and see where to shop for what you need and use most often.
- Shop in Specialty Stores.
A few weeks ago, my wife was making an Asian dish for dinner. I went to our regular grocery store for the supplies and got what I needed, not thinking too much about the price. But a few days later, we passed by a Korean grocery store. Curious about their prices I walked in and was shocked. It was so much cheaper than our regular grocery store!The cost for the ingredients when I bought them came to $20. At the Korean grocery store, I bought the ingredients and the ingredients for another meal for $20. I now know to seek out these stores when making various dishes to save some money.
Of course, if you live in a larger metropolitan area you will have more choices in terms of these stores, so be sure to search around to find them all.
Final Thoughts
These are three easy ways to cut down on your grocery bill. The first and last suggestions will only take time at first – as in finding the places. Once you do this, your work is over. The option of shopping around will always take some time as you have to compare prices as well as sale prices on a regular basis. But the effort is worth it in the end.
What are some quick ways you save on groceries?
More Ways to Save on Groceries
- 14 Ways to Save on Your Grocery Bill [3]
- 35 Tips to Save Money on Food [4]
- 8 Ways to Stop Wasting Food [5]
- 11 Ways to Save Money on Groceries [6]
- Can You Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half Shopping Only Once a Month? [7]
- Guide to Couponing [8]
- 5 More Tips To Save At The Grocery Store [9]
- What is a CSA [2]
- Have You Tried Peapod Groceries? [10]