Grocery Shopping: 8 Tips on How to Do It Without Missing Anything and Without Going Over the Budget
1: List it when you need it.
Systematically list down everything that you will need when you need it, instead of doing it right before you leave. Many people think that listing things down is enough in itself, only to discover later on that they missed something very important.
2: Forecast future needs.
Buy enough supplies to last until your next paycheck comes. By doing this, you will save a lot of trips to the grocery, thereby cutting down on gas costs, which can pile up considerably if you drive your car almost every day.
3: Plan a menu in advance.
Advanced menu planning is one of the tricks that help homemakers figure out how much is needed. By deciding what to cook in the following days or weeks, you will be able to figure out what ingredients will be needed and in what amounts.
4: Use cash, i.e. GREEN cash
Lots of people use credit cards to pay for their grocery. While this is a more convenient and probably safer way to pay, the fact remains that these cards are forms of debt. You may have very concrete plans of paying the balance right before the grace period ends, but given the current economic conditions, you’ll never know.
5: Avoid disposable – Go recyclable
Many Americans have adopted a habit of using disposable items at home, just like paper towels for cleaning countertops. These implements make life more convenient indeed, but everyone will agree that we will not drop dead just by not using them. With real cloth towels, you will save money by not having to repeatedly purchase paper towels, and become more environmentally responsible at the same time.
6: Shop with your family, NOT with your friends
Bringing your kids along has two effects: you will have someone to help a bit in carrying stuff and more importantly, they will learn the importance of what you’re doing and the way you do it. On the other hand, do not do grocery shopping with friends because you wouldn’t want to face peer pressure, like when you wanted to buy a discounted product but chose not to do so for fear of embarrassment.
7: Less red meat, more veggies
Red meat is not only rich in cholesterol and fat, but are also more expensive compared to other foodstuffs. By avoiding meat as much as possible, you can make sure that your family is eating healthier food and your budget will last much longer.
8: Why not grow your own vegetables?
There is a growing trend in many American homes where homemakers have started engaging in small-scale organic farming in their backyards. This saves you money and improves the quality of the food that you’ll serve on the dinner table.