6 Ways To Spend Less At The Grocery Store

According to the USDA, a family of four on a moderate cost plan spends an average of $1,052 a month on groceries. That’s nearly $265 a week! So, what can you do to keep costs low? Use these quick and easy tips to help you stay under budget on your next trip to the grocery store.

1. Check Prices At Budget Grocers
Explore the aisles of budget grocers such as Aldi, WinCo and Fareway. These discount stores offer your favorite foods for less while not compromising on the quality. Only shop organic or have a gluten allergy? Not a problem! Many of the discount grocers carry these options as well.

2. Discount Gift Cards
Have you heard of Gift Card Granny? Granny is a website that helps consumers find discount gift cards. The cards can be used to save on stores such as Whole Foods or even Walmart and Target! Want to know a secret? You can combine a discount gift card with a coupon for an even greater deal.

3. Avoid Name Brands
While name brands are tempting, they can often cost you a pretty penny. Take a look at the product label the next time you’re at the store. The majority of the time you’ll find the same exact ingredients. If that’s the case, why would you pay more for a name brand?

4. Search For Double Coupon Days
Some local, independent grocers permit double (or even triple) coupons! That means that a store will double the coupon’s discount value on a certain day of the week. The next time you’re at your local grocery store, ask if they have a policy in place.

5. Don’t Buy Items You Won’t Use
This may sound obvious but is a great reminder. Would you normally buy that item? If not, you may want to think about removing it from your cart. While a good deal can be enticing, it’s important to stick to go your go-to items.

6. Search For Sales
Is an item you frequently buy on sale? If your budget is a little more flexible that month, consider stocking up. This works best on items that are non-perishable and can be stored for longer amounts of time.