Prepare for Your Next Grocery Store Trip With These 6 Money-Saving Tips
Groceries can be expensive, but there are some things you can do to prepare for your trip that will help you save money. Read on to learn what I do before even going to the store to make my grocery bill more reasonable.
1. Use what you already have
Look in your pantry, fridge, and freezer before going to the store. Often you can make a plan for next week’s meals based on these items so you don’t have to buy as much each week at the store. Check out my Pantry Staples Series if you’re wondering what foods I like to keep on hand. It’s a good idea to rotate through your staples so things don’t end up expiring before you use them.
Often times I can make a meal completely from ingredients I already have! Some of my favorite go-to meals are:
Chicken Noodle Soup - if you don’t have fresh veggies, try using dried onion flakes and frozen or canned veggies in this recipe
Chili or stew
Chicken salad made with canned chicken, avocado oil mayo, and any spices or herbs I have on hand
Vegetarian tacos with beans, corn, and tomatoes
Cooked wild rice or quinoa + canned beans + frozen broccoli + a drizzle of olive oil
Chickpea pasta + sauce made with canned tomatoes
2. Plan meals for the week
It’s helpful to have an idea of a few meals you’d like to prepare before getting to the store. There is no need to spend tons of time on this, but sitting down and planning out a few meals for the following week can make it easier to make your grocery list. Keep the items already in your fridge, freezer, and pantry in mind when coming up with these meals!
If you’re lost and don’t know where to start, I now offer meal planning services to help you get started!
3. Eat at least one vegetarian dinner each week - more is even better!
Meat is expensive, so try to plan at least one dinner each week without meat. Beans and eggs are easy ways to add a vegetarian protein source to a meal. Try my Egg Casserole for a minimal prep dinner (this is also a great way to use up any leftover veggies in your fridge!) or tacos with roasted winter squash and beans, which are always a hit in my house.
4. Check for sales and coupons
Coupons are an easy way to save a little money. Even if it doesn’t seem worth it to use coupons, just think about how much money you could save over the course of a month or year by using them! Some grocery stores still offer paper coupons, while others now have apps that allow you to use digital coupons when shopping. Many stores also have rewards programs that offer discounts on gas or other items.
One thing to keep in mind: don’t buy something you wouldn’t normally buy just because you have a coupon!
Portland-area grocery store digital coupons and reward programs:
5. Make a list - and stick to it!
Making a complete list before heading to the store will save you time and help you avoid impulse buys. Whether you prefer a paper list or use an app on your phone, ordering items based on the route you follow in the store can be helpful. I like to keep a running list and add to it as needed during the week so I don’t forget anything.
I use the reminders app on my phone to keep track of what I need - here is my grocery list (in order) of the things I need for this week.
6. Eat a snack!
Going to the grocery store hungry is a recipe for disaster. Being hungry will make you much more tempted to veer off your list and spend more money. It’s also more likely that you’ll pick less healthy foods when you’re hungry! Eat something with protein and fiber to fill you up, such as an apple with peanut butter or scrambled eggs with whole grain toast.
I hope this list can help you plan for your next grocery trip while saving you money. See you back here next week for my top tips to save money while you’re at the grocery store!
