Groceries are one of our major expenses. We can’t deny that it take a huge part of our budget. Today I will share 15 practical tips on how to save money on groceries. If you started budgeting your money or say building your emergency fund, finding ways to save money in different areas of our lives really make difference.
I know that there are a lot of articles online giving tips on how to save money on groceries, this will be an additional on the lists.
In case your looking for ways on how you can lower your expenses by saving money on groceries, this article is for you.
15 Tips to save money on groceries
Saving tip#1 Make a list
Making a list of the grocery items you NEED to buy before going to the store is basically the most effective way you can save money on groceries.
Grab a small notebook and list all the things you just really needed. Keep it simple. Don’t list those things you don’t need.
Me and my wife usually keep a list of the items we buy in groceries and we stick to it. What’s the point of making a list but not sticking to it right? When you created a list of grocery items, make sure you wrote all you need and stick to it when you’re shopping.
Those ‘extra‘ purchase before you pay the counter can really add up cost to your budget. Stick to your list!
Saving tip#2 Buy on bulk
When you create a list, make sure you write those grocery items you always need. And buy them in bulk. A great example is shampoos and detergents.
Buying in bulk can save you some pesoses and doing that every month can really add up to your cash flow. Make sure you compute or compare the prices.
Saving tip#3 Shop on discount stores
Another way you can save money on groceries is to shop or buy on discount grocery stores. An example is budget lane, super 8 and Puregold. Some grocery items are much cheap here compared to those in larger department stores.
Saving tip#4 Use membership or advantage card
If you prefer and always shopping or buying your groceries on large grocery stores or department stores you can take advantage and enjoy the benefits of availing membership or advantage card.
An example of this is savemore and robinson’s supermarket. Although you cannot save money on groceries directly, you can earn points that you can use when purchasing other items on your next purchase.
Saving tip#5 Shop on Public Market
Another tip to save money on groceries in the Philippines is to buy those things we need to public market instead of supermarket or in malls.
Sometimes during the week you may need to buy some items which are not purchased on your last grocery shopping. It’s good to buy on public market especially fruits and vegetables.
You can buy fresh and at lower prices than those in supermarket.
Saving tip#6 Bring your own bag/plastic
This will definitely help you save money on groceries when buying on supermarkets. You’ll end up paying or buying plastic bags or ecobags when you forget to bring one. Especially most of the supermarket right now are regulated to charge you when you opted to use plastic or ecobag.
Free paper bag may not be applicable if you’re buying bulk items which are heavy.
Saving tip#7 Compare brands
Branded grocery items are much expensive compared to local products here in the Philippines. You can check and compare the price of different brands of the same grocery items and choose which one suit your needs.
If quality are not sacrificed you may opted for local product to save money on groceries. Make sure you’re not sacrificing health benefits just to save money on groceries ok?
Saving tip#8 Check bargain area
In some supermarket or grocery store here in the Philippines, they have this area called ‘discount area‘ or ‘bargain area‘ or what ever name they have. All grocery items in this area are discounted and somehow cheap compared to those items in regular supermarket or grocery bay.
You may wanna check this area and see if you have grocery items that can be bought here. You can save money in groceries over time by doing this.
Saving tip#9 Check the weight
Checking the net weight of the items you’re going to buy is one of the easiest way to save money on groceries. A can of evaporated milk weighing 100ml that costs P18.00 is not really cheaper that 150ml costing only P20.00.
You’re buying more with just a little amount so make sure you check that to save money on groceries.
Saving tip#10 Check expiration date
Buying perishable goods is not wise if you stock them too long. Make sure to check expiration date to make sure you can use them in the next coming days or weeks. It is advisable to keep perishable goods in just 2 weeks.
Saving tip#11 Don’t shop when hungry
This is another basic tip on how you can save money on groceries. Don’t shop when hungry. When you do this, you’re avoiding unnecessary expenses or item which you can buy triggered by your stomach.
It is good to shop grocery after your meal. You’re not only saving money on groceries but you will also have energy to do the shopping.
Saving tip#12 Don’t buy water in Supermarket
Unless really needed or you really preferred, you can save money on groceries too if you purchased your mineral water on water station and not on th grocery store.
Mineral water is much expensive compared to those in water station. But of course, make sure that the water station where you’re going to purchase the water is clean and pure. Quality and health benefits first!
Saving tip#13 Do it yourself
You may notice that boned chicken is much expensive that those that come with bones. You can save money on groceries too by doing it by yourself.
Chopped meat, fruits and other vegetables are bit expensive to those in regular sizes. Check them out!
Saving tip#14 Hunt budget packs
Another tip to save money on groceries when you shop is to hunt for budget packs. Almost all supermarket and grocery stores offers budget packs.
A good example for this is detergents. Or say if you buy three cans of sardines, you can sometimes get one free. If you buy a particular size of shampoo, you get a sachet of conditioner.
Take advantage of offers like these to save money on your groceries.
Saving tip#15 Buy on season
Fruits in season are not only at their sweetest, but they’re also at their cheapest. Take advantage of the seasoned fruits and buy them to save money on groceries.
If you have a province like me, you can save a lot of money when you purchased fruits and vegetables directly from the farmers.
We do this once in a while when we go home ot our province in Laguna. You’re not buying fresh and cheap fruits and vegetables, you’re also directly helping those farmers.
The tips above on how to save money on groceries can help you lower your expenses and increase your cash flow. When you start taking charge of your personal finance, you need to find ways on how you can stick to your budget.
A simple ways like these can really add big contributions over time. Remember that small savings over will make difference.
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