11 things you need to know for grocery shopping on a budget
With years of mindfully and thoughtfully spending hours at the grocery store searching for healthy food on a budget, I’ve cultivated a few tricks. Please enjoy reading my tips for saving some dough while shopping healthfully!
What’s for dinner?
I’m guilty for thinking about this question unnecessarily too far in advance. I’m also guilty for going to the local health food store an unnecessary amount of times throughout the week. But hey! Grocery shopping and making food is truly one of my passions. Not only am I thinking about what’s for dinner while I’m at the market, I’m also thinking about how I can save money and not spend a ridiculous amount while treating myself and my loved ones to good quality food. So, below are things I keep in mind while I’m grocery shopping to help keep my bill on the low side.
1) Think about what you are shopping for.
Are you planning to go out to eat out or get take away this week? Buy less. Are you eating in every night with the family? Think ahead to what you’ll be making, make a list! This helps prevent over-buying groceries that may end up going bad or making extra trips to the store when it’s unneeded. I personally buy most things fresh, so I end up going to the market every 3-4 days, because of this, I buy little and make sure what I’m getting will be used.
2) Take a tip from your mom, look for coupons or sales!
Check store apps on your phone or sign up for email newsletters to be notified when sales happen. Got Amazon Prime? Use it at Whole Foods for their sales. It really does save a good amount on high quality items. And, check out your local Co-Op. If you pay a small membership fee, usually members get discounts for shopping each time and specials throughout the year.
3) Shop around for deals.
Check out the home goods stores, like Target or Walmart for items that you may buy at Whole Foods or your local grocery store. They most likely are less expensive at the home goods store. Also, check what packaged or specialty items, like olive oil, yogurt or organic packaged goods, these stores have. These are most likely less expensive, too! *Please note, I always choose to shop local first as supporting the local community is one of the most important things we can do, i.e. vote with our dollar. However, I am only human and need to find balance somewhere, especially when it comes to budgeting.
4) Local farms!
Something that brings me joy about eating and cooking is finding local farms to support. Search your areas for CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) boxes to be delivered or picked up. This is such a great way to eat excellent produce grown in your community, support a local business and get a large amount for a good price! CSA boxes are usually meant to last the whole week and are an awesome amount of produce for usually around $40. Having trouble finding a local farm? Stop into your local natural or health food store and ask them! Or, send me a message, and I can help.
5) Buy local and seasonal.
If you don’t chose to go directly to your local farm, usually grocery stores stock local and seasonal items at the front of produce sections and oftentimes seasonal items are on sale!
6) Prioritize buying the Dirty Dozen organic.
Check out the EWG website before you shop to remind yourself of the Dirty Dozen. These are the produce items that contain the most pesticides and chemicals. Buying these organic is smart. And, the rest of your produce, or the items on the EWG’s Clean Fifteen list, you can save money by buying conventional. *Please note, down the line it’s great to think about always buying 100% organic, but for saving money this is a great tip.
7) Buy bulk.
If you haven’t explored your grocery store’s bulk section, have a look. There is probably many items that you buy packaged available in bulk. You can buy small or large amounts depending on what you need and usually save money buying bulk. And, once the pandemic has passed, you can bring your own reusable packaging to use for bulk items. Some favs include granola, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, trail mix, spices, and baking items.
8) Compare unit prices.
Look on the price tag label the grocery store displays and find price per ounce. When comparing brands or sizes, you’ll save money by looking at this. If the price per ounce is less on a larger size of something, go for it if you have storage options available.
9) Stick to buying Whole Foods.
Produce, protein, grains. Once you start to buy packaged items, it begins to add up.
10) Stick to the stores perimeter.
Directly related to number 9, the center aisles of the stores contain packaged goods, while the perimeter is all whole foods. This is a great way of avoiding buying random things you don’t need and wracking up a huge bill.
11) Don’t go grocery shopping hungry :):)
We’ve heard it forever, but this is obvious as we all know what will happen!
Feel free to leave a comment of something you’ve picked up throughout the years that has helped you shop in thrifty ways!
