When you think of ways to save when grocery shopping, clipping coupons is probably at the top of your list. And while coupons can cut your costs when it comes to food, there are other, more clever ways to achieve that same goal.
We’ll save the coupon tips for another day, as today’s focus will be on the following simple tricks to grab bargains while grocery shopping.
1. Go full size, not fun size.
Here’s a general rule that can make saving while shopping much simpler: The more packaging, the bigger the premium you pay.
For example, have you seen those tiny snack packs promising just 100 calories per serving? Sure, they can help with portion control and give you a quick way to grab a snack on the go, but you’re paying extra for that convenience.
The same holds for a product like yogurt. Buy a pack of six small yogurts, and you’ll pay a premium for all of that extra packaging.
What’s the moral of the story? Buy items in bulk, then make your own small bags or portions later on.
2. Don’t purchase produce individually.
Did you know that a lot of produce first gets sorted by its size? They just don’t put it on display. Instead, they pick out the biggest pieces and put them on sale individually.
What do they do with the smaller, less impressive pieces? They place them in packages, and you can save by buying them instead of opting for more expensive pieces sold by themselves.
3. Purchase frozen produce.
If you find that you’re often throwing away produce because it spoils, there’s a way to stop all of that waste: Buy frozen.
The main benefit of frozen produce is that it lasts longer. This helps you pick out what you need and freeze the rest.
In the end, you avoid waste and that rushed feeling of having to eat a ton of food fast, so you don’t have to toss it out.
4. Avoid prepared foods and buy them whole instead.
Chopped fruit is an example of prepared food that is convenient and delicious. If you buy the fruit whole, however, and chop it up yourself, you can save some extra cash.
5. Get fish and other seafood frozen.
Produce isn’t the only frozen food that can save you money over its fresh counterpart.
Seafood is another, so get it frozen, and you probably won’t notice the difference. Your wallet, however, will, as you’ll avoid that premium that’s charged for thawing it once the seafood gets to the store.
6. Choose your cheese wisely.
Cheese that’s fresh from the deli can seem like a delicacy, but at what cost?
If you chose cheese from the refrigerated section instead, you can reduce the per-pound price. As an added benefit, it usually lasts longer than the slices you get from the deli too.
Speaking of cheese, get it in blocks if you can. It’s cheaper than slices, and you can cut it up yourself to get the thickness you desire.