Knowing how to save on groceries can in turn save you a great deal of money, particularly during the Holiday season. However, you have to be careful because some people save by buying in bulk, and find that they cannot consume all the perishables. Or that they have purchased so much at once that their long-term saving is in reality a short-term extra expense when they can afford it least
There are a few obvious savings you can make, but the real way how to save on groceries is to combine as many small savings as you can, rather than rely on one large saving strategy that will have limited scope. Here are a few ideas of the various grocery savings you can make in the run up to Christmas and the Holiday season.
Use Coupons
Coupons are always the big stand-by when people want to save money on groceries. However, only use coupons on products you would normally buy, otherwise you are not saving anything. Coupons are of particular use when your store offers 'double-coupon' days, but the same applies. Don't purchase something just because of the coupon if you would not normally buy it.
Use Budget Stores
You may not like budget stores because the products are unbranded or are 'foreign'. This is a strange attitude for somebody wanting to know how to save on groceries, but if you really want to save money on groceries at the Holiday season you can be very selective where you purchase certain items. Potatoes are the same wherever you buy them - your local high-end deli or Food Basics, so buy your essentials at the cheapest budget stores.
Per Piece Sales
Compare fruit and vegetable prices sold per piece and per pound. You can often get real bargains by purchasing per piece, particularly when you spot a particularly large cauliflower, cabbage, melon or any other where you can get an advantage by choosing the biggest on display at the per piece price.
Multi-Offers
Look for BOGOFs (buy one get one free) but only if it is what you would normally buy. This is true of any special offers. You won’t save money on groceries if you buy two of something you do not normally use or eat. How to save on groceries is to search for offers on items you are looking for right now. If you can freeze some BOGOF offers, then that is a valid saving, but not if it will remain in your freezer till this time next year!
Shop Alone
Shopping alone is one good way of saving on groceries. Don't take the kids and definitely don’t take your partner because he or she (particularly he) will fill the trolley with what they want without a thought of the price. Isn't it funny how the one that doesn't do the cooking buys all the fancy stuff and then asks you to cook it!
Buy Cheap Brands
There is nothing wrong with most store cheap brands. This is particularly true where quality is immaterial, such as with spices, table salt and other 'generics'. Even eggs - unless you insist on free range. Organic foods might be fine, but you won't save money on groceries at the Holiday season unless you make some sacrifices - and who needs organic washing powder anyway!
Never Shop Hungry
It's not an urban myth, and you know it! Shopping hungry is not how to save on groceries. It is well known that when you are hungry you buy more and buy better - meaning you will buy a T-bone rather than a rump steak! Half-way through the T-bone you wish you had bought rump! The same is true of many luxury foods, or even quantity.
Cook in Bulk
Stews, curries, pasta sauces and everything else that freezes well can be cooked in bulk and packed into the freezer. There's no need to stuff the rest of that fabulous chili down your throat just because it 'might go off'. Decide to make double and freeze the other half - you will then have more incentive to leave enough to freeze than to eat too much - overeating is not the way to save on groceries.
Haagen Dazs or Store's Own?
You can purchase the luxury ice cream - or the store's own. The latter is how to save money on groceries, and while the luxury ice cream looks yummy, it will all be the same to you once it's on the plate with a strawberry or two. Luxury foodstuffs look great in the store, but let's face it - once you start eating the cheap stuff you will still enjoy it and feel proud of your significant saving.
Cook - Don't Heat
Cook more of your meals from scratch. Purchase real vegetables and real meat and learn how to convert these into a delicious meal. Too many people buy ready-made meals that just have to be heated up in the microwave. That's not how to save on groceries! You will be surprised at how much you enjoy creating your own meals rather than resurrecting somebody else's in a microwave oven.
These are just a few ways how to save on groceries. For many people it's essential for them to save money on groceries at the Holiday period, and if they follow the above tips they should achieve that.
Knowing how to save on groceries can be very important for some people, and keeping an account of your expenses can be helpful in achieving this. Find more on B&M Financial Management Services, LLC website http://www.bmfms.com
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