Top 10 Tips to Save Money Grocery Shopping - 2023
The Pachyy Editorial Team comprises a diverse and experienced team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts whose aim is to provide you with useful insights, guidance and commentary on all matters related to your personal finances.
As inflation rates continue to rise, it’s becoming more challenging to save money, especially with the increasing cost of everyday goods, including groceries, which is one of the largest expenses for individuals. To assist in reducing your grocery shopping bill in 2023, we’ve compiled a list of 10 helpful tips.
1. Avoid Convenience Stores
It may be worth considering changing your shopping location. Supermarkets are generally more affordable than convenience stores, even if the latter is closer to you. Convenience stores often charge higher prices due to their location and operating costs. You could save a significant amount by traveling a bit further to shop at a supermarket instead.
2. Avoid Brand Products
We all have our favorite brands that we like to stick to. Whether it’s toothpaste, candy or toilet paper. However, you are almost certainly not using the least expensive option when you are shopping for a branded product. Be selective in the brands that you shop – try out lower priced alternatives!
3. Plan Your Meals & Make a Shopping List
Planning your meals for the week and making a list can help you avoid impulse buys and save money. According to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, households that made a shopping list spent 23% less on groceries than those who didn’t.
4. Don't shop hungry
Shopping on an empty stomach is never a good idea. If you’re hungry, you’re likely to throw extra treats into the trolley! Shopping after a meal should help you avoid the temptation of straying from your shopping list and unnecessarily.
5. Start Using Coupons
Check your local supermarkets magazines, website for other marketing sources for sales, discounts and coupons. Shopping with coupons can save you an average of 10-15% on your grocery bill. But, be careful, coupons can encourage unnecessary purchases, therefore, you should limit your coupon usage to items that you shop regularly.
6. Shop Reductions
Keep an eye out for reduction stickers. Products close to their end of their shelf-life are typically marked down to encourage consumers to by them. If you are planning on consuming the goods right away or freezing them, end-of-life reductions can be a great way to save on your groceries.
7. Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk can save you up to 50% on the cost of certain items. Only purchase non-perishable items in bulk, because, perishable items could go bad if you do not consume them in time.
8. Be Disciplined with Sales
Everyone loves a good bargain! But beware, supermarkets are savvy and simply by putting an item on discount, they can encourage you to spend more money than you otherwise would have. If the product or a similar product is not on your shopping list, avoid the sale.
9. Avoid Processed Foods
Besides being more unhealthy than fresh produce, processed and pre-packaged foods can be more expensive than fresh ingredients. According to a study by the USDA, processed and pre-packaged foods can cost up to 40% more than preparing the same meal from scratch with fresh ingredients.
10. Freeze Food
However, fresh produce is not always available. Moreover, although we can have the best intentions, sometimes, we don’t always consume what we purchase. In that case, buying and freezing produce when it is available can be a suitable alternative.