Groceries have never seemed more expensive, and that’s partially because they’re actually going up.
But it’s not all bad news: you can start trimming those numbers back to something reasonable without overhauling your diet.
Here’s our guide for six practical and clever strategies for cutting costs and eating well.
Pay Attention to Food Storage
Saving money on groceries doesn’t end when you buy them; you want to keep them fresh and edible as long as possible. Sure, it’ll require you learning the quirks of certain foods, like storing herbs in water or keeping apples away from other fruit.
But the information is just a quick search away, so why not use it to your advantage and stop feeling the guilt of spoiling half your weekly haul?
Shop Off-Peak Hours
Early birds (or night owls) get the freshest stock and the best shot at markdowns, especially if you have prepared food on your shopping list.
This is also a time when you’re less likely to feel rushed or stressed. Giving yourself time to be thorough with your shopping means you can pause before impulse buying and make more informed decisions.
Shop Seasonal and Local Produce When Possible
Seasonal and local fruits and veggies are not just tastier — they’re cheaper. Out-of-season produce is always more expensive, and usually pretty sad-looking, too.
Farmer’s markets are excellent for this, but you’ll see these prices reflected no matter where you go, including your local chain grocery store. It’s basic supply and demand; farmers harvest these goodies in larger quantities when they’re in season, so everyone has an abundance of supply they need to sell.
Audit Your Pantry Before You Go
Before you even think about shopping, dig through your shelves. You might have enough pasta to take it off your list. And while some things are worth stocking to the gills in your pantry, going overboard can lead to food waste, even if it’s technically a non-perishable.
This can also help you make connections between pantry ingredients and sale items, giving you insight into how you can plan your meals for the week.
Take Advantage of Frozen Produce
If you can’t get seasonal or local produce, you might be surprised to learn that, depending on the fruit or veggie, frozen might be your next best option.
Frozen fruits and veggies are picked at peak ripeness and last way longer than the fresh stuff. This is ideal for enjoying plump and juicy berries in your morning smoothies or bright green sugar snap peas in your next stir fry.
Visit Multiple Stores
This won’t always be worth it if it means you’re spending more on gas just to save a few cents. But if more than one item is cheaper at another store and it’s not too much of a hassle to get there, going there for just those things is a valid option.
Keep an eye out for store coupons and rotating deals. Eventually, you’ll probably realize it’s cheaper to go to one place for produce, another for meat, and a third for bulk buying.
