6 Simple Tips to Spend Less on Groceries When Prices Go Up

We can all feel the impact of rising prices when we go grocery shopping. Prices have gone up by about 12% compared to last year, and some types of food are even more expensive.

Essential foods like eggs, beef, and milk have seen significant price increases. Even if you're a smart shopper, these higher prices can really add up. For example, if your usual grocery budget is $500, you now need to stretch it to $560 due to the 12% increase.

But don't worry! There are ways to spend less on groceries and still provide healthy meals for your family. Give these tips a try to save money at the grocery store when prices are going up due to inflation.

Make a plan

Planning is important for saving money in many ways, although it's difficult to measure exactly how much. When you make a list before going grocery shopping, it prevents you from buying things on impulse that end up costing you more in the long run.

By planning your meals and using what you buy and already have at home, you can reduce wastage and save money. Researchers estimate that, on average, households throw away about 30% of the food they purchase.

Having a plan for your dinners, as well as a few ideas for lunches and breakfasts throughout the week, helps you cook more meals at home instead of ordering takeout or opting for pricier options on busy days.

It doesn't have to be complicated, but having a few recipes written down and shopping for the ingredients needed is a smart strategy to save money when you go to the store.

Be selective with produce

As a physiologist, I always encourage people to eat more fruits and vegetables. Although these foods may appear costly, there are ways to make the most of your money and still benefit from the nutritional value they provide.

Opting for frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables is a great strategy to save money while still obtaining essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants in your diet. Look for options that have lower amounts of added sugars and salt.

Consider substituting an expensive fruit or vegetable with a more affordable alternative. For example, you can use cabbage for a slaw instead of mixed greens in a salad to save money. Instead of shallots, use onions in a soup recipe, or try using frozen berries instead of fresh ones in a smoothie.

Additionally, it's important to ensure that you consume what you buy. This is another reason why frozen and canned produce are beneficial to have on hand. However, prioritize consuming delicate produce first to avoid wasting money.

You can also freeze produce or incorporate any items that are close to spoiling into soups, fried rice, or eggs to avoid wasting them.

Shop for sales

For those who already have experience using coupons and browsing through weekly sale flyers, you're ahead of the game. However, if you haven't started yet, it's never too late to give it a try. Most grocery stores offer discounts on various items throughout the store, and when combined with coupons, you can save a significant amount of money.

If you prefer shopping online and using grocery delivery or pickup services, consider adding virtual coupons to your order or filtering products based on what's on sale. If there's a particular grocery store you frequently visit, make sure you're enrolled in their rewards points program.

One strategy I personally enjoy is checking out the items on sale first and incorporating some of them into my meal plan for the week. This approach ensures that I'm not buying excessive items just because they're discounted. Additionally, I make it a habit to look for coupons for the foods I regularly purchase.

Browse through unit prices

Understanding the concept of unit price is important if you're not already familiar with it. You can find the unit price displayed on the shelf next to the item's price, and it helps you make better comparisons between sizes and different brands.

Let's consider an example with cereal. If you go through a box of cereal every week, it might be more cost-effective to buy the larger box, even though it initially costs more. This is because the larger box will have a lower price per pound compared to the smaller box. Unit prices provide you with the cost based on weight, revealing that smaller sizes often have higher costs.

By scanning unit prices, you can also compare various brands that offer their food products in different package sizes. This way, you can find the brand and package size that best suits your budget.

Reconsider your protein

Protein-rich foods such as meat, poultry, and seafood are often among the more expensive items on our grocery lists. However, there are ways to make smart savings in this area without completely giving up meat if you prefer not to.

It's true that many plant-based protein sources like beans and tofu are generally more affordable than meat. Incorporating a meatless meal or two into your weekly menu can help you save some money.

Opting for less expensive cuts of meat is another strategy. Choosing ground meats, top round steaks, or chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts can help reduce costs. You can consult your butcher or compare prices to find the best deals.

Since protein can be costly, if you have enough freezer space, it can be beneficial to stock up when it's on sale. Simply freeze the extra portions and thaw them when you're ready to cook.

Another way to stretch your meat budget is by combining it with vegetables and grains in dishes like stir-fries, burgers, or casseroles.

Remember, when it comes to protein, it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Making small adjustments and implementing these tips can gradually help you save money over time.

Understand the concept of expiration dates

My grandmother, who grew up during a difficult time called the great depression, hardly ever threw away food. Once, I wanted to throw away yogurt because I thought it had gone bad, but she stopped me and put it back in the fridge.

Sometimes, food can develop mold or become spoiled, and it's important not to eat it in those cases! However, the dates you see on food packages usually indicate the quality of the product, not its safety.

Except for infant formula, which has a safety date, foods are labeled with dates like "best if used by," "sell-by," "use-by," or "freeze-by," which show the freshness and quality of the food, according to the USDA.

It's a good idea to check those dates both when you're shopping and at home to make sure the food you're buying is fresh and to use up older items first.

Paying attention to dates can help you save money because you'll be consuming food when it's at its freshest. However, you don't have to strictly follow those dates and throw away food.

Ifiokobong Ene is a Medical Physiologist, and a freelance medical writer. Ifiok brings his years of medical research experience to help consistently create high-quality, and engaging articles and products that uphold the highest medical standards. He is dedicated to making health and wellness information available, actionable, and understandable so that readers can make the best decisions about their health. Catch him on Fiverr and Upwork.

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