How to Slash Your Grocery Bill

Everyone likes to find ways in which they can save money. For some, saving money in one area could make the difference whether or not they are able to add money to their savings or investment accounts. For others, being able to save money enables them to make needed purchases for their family. Finally, for some hard-working Americans, finding ways to save money is essential for meeting their budget needs each month. Oftentimes, working families pay all of their required monthly bills and then buy food with whatever is left over. Many spend as much as $500 a month on food. However, with a little effort and planning, this amount can be dramatically reduced. People are shocked when I inform them that our family of four spends only $250 per month on groceries.

1. Live by a menu. Many people rack up extra grocery store receipts because they have not planned out their meals. I have found that reducing the number of trips I make to the store greatly reduces the amount of money I spend there. Don't wait until 4:00 PM before deciding what to make for dinner that day. Inevitably you will need to run to the store. The problem is that you won't just buy the two ingredients you need for dinner, you will also pick up foods you are craving at the time, or foods which you perceive to be a good deal. Don't fall into this trap! Instead, plan your meals. Make a menu for an entire week, listing everything you will eat at each meal down to what you will have to drink. This will also encourage you to make healthier choices. Include vegetables and whole grains often, as well as nutrient-rich foods such as salmon and spinach.

2. Make a detailed shopping list. The trick to saving money on your grocery bill is to limit the amount of trips you take to the store. The farther ahead you plan your meals, the more shopping you can get out of the way with one trip. Try to shop for dry, non-perishable goods once per month. Limit your weekly trips to fresh vegetables and fruits, and dairy products.

3. Shop at the box stores. Many people don't realize how much money they would save if they only shopped at large box stores rather than their local supermarket. Once a month our family drives an hour to a Super Walmart. It may seem like a long drive to go grocery shopping, but the money we save is outstanding. For example, diapers we buy in our local supermarket cost $26.00 a case. At Walmart, the same case of diapers costs $19.00. A gallon of milk at our local store is $3.69, but it is $2.89 at Walmart. There are also many other discount grocers around the country such as Aldis. These are great places in which you can buy canned goods, pasta, baking supplies and more for a fraction of the cost of your local grocery store. There are, however, certain items for which I am willing to spend the extra money and buy at a grocery store. Generally, I prefer meat and produce from local supermarkets over discount stores.

4. Buy generic. Whether you shop at a Super Walmart or your local grocer, buying generic will save you 30% on your grocery bill. If you are afraid you will not like store brands as well, keep in mind that most store brands are produced by big name companies and simply sold under a different label. You generally do not sacrifice quality when you opt for the store brand. There are some items which you may perceive a difference in taste. I have found this to be true with some cheeses, cookies, and cereals. However, canned goods, soaps, detergents, pastas, frozen vegetables and juices are equal to name brands in quality.

5. Keep your eye on the sales. Many stores run the same types of sales every four to six weeks. Sometimes these sales are great money savers, like deals on meat and fish. Purchse these items ahead of time and freeze them for later use.

At first, implementing ways to save money on your grocery bill can seem like too much work. However, once you get into the habit of developing a menu and living by your shopping list, you will find you save time in trips to the store. Take advantage of these tips and begin saving money today!