Grocery Shopping Tips to Save Money

I want to share some more little things you can do when you are grocery shopping that will save you a lot of money.  Sandra Lee from Semi-Homemade Cooking has a 70/30 cooking philosophy…70% packaged and 30% homemade…I have kind of the same theory when it comes to shopping…

Let the stores do 70% of the work and you only have to do 30%, but you get a bigger savings…What do I mean by this?

First, you have to look at how you buy and use items.  A box of name brand  raisin bran might cost you $5.00.  But a box of store brand, plain bran cereal might cost you $2.00 and then you buy a box of raisins for $1.00…you can pour your plain bran cereal into a bowl, top it off with the raisins you purchased and have a bowl of raisin bran cereal for a lot less a bowl.  And if you like raisins, you can add as many as you like.  Instead of letting the company do 100% of the work and you paying for that.  Let them do 70% of the work (making the cereal/raisins, etc) and you do 30% by mixing it yourself and paying a lot less for it.

We all know how convenient single serving sizes are, but think about the money you pay for having that convenience.  Not to mention the extra packaging and waste you have.  Why not purchase a big item and you make your own single serving sizes.   Take frozen vegetables, these little single serving sizes are great for lunch, etc., but why not purchase a big bag and then put them in smaller, single serving size, bags.  Then when you are ready to pack your lunch, you grab one of the little baggies and pour it into a plastic bowl with lid.  Take it with you.  Heat in the microwave and you have your own singe serving size at a lot less cost.

Buying fruit/vegetables all ready cut up will save you time, but it won’t save you money.   Again, buy whole and make your own single serving size.  You’ll get more for your money.

Don’t let your food go bad in the cabinets and/or refrigerator.  Check those expiration dates before buying them.  If you know you will eat that meat in two days before it expires and you can get a discount, then go for it, but if you buy in hopes of eating it, and you don’t, then you have just wasted that money.