When shopping, do you have to be very careful about how much you spend at the grocery store? If you said “yes”, I totally understand. As a matter of fact, I lived this way when I had too much debt, living paycheck to paycheck.

If you are living paycheck to paycheck check out “How to save money while living paycheck to paycheck”.

It feels so stressful! I know! I was a single-mom for 10 years, AND the breadwinner of our family! Learn more about my story here.

Don’t even get me started on wage equality!

Ok, back to saving money on groceries.

Before I created a budget, I would toss and turn at night. I was unable to relax and fall asleep. As I would lay in bed, I would be thinking about how I could pay off my credit cards, loans and upcoming bills.

Would you like some help building a budget? I would love to help you! Get in touch.

How would you like to feel FREE of the hold, money has on you? Wouldn’t you love to go to the grocery store and be free of the financial stress and buy the things you want and need?

If you are like me, you want to save money on groceries. I’ll share what has helped me the most.  Then, you can save money on your next shopping trip to the grocery store.

A good rule of thumb is to spend 10-15% of your net income (amount deposited into your checking) on food. This includes dining out.

1. Inventory the fridge & cupboards

Your first step is to see what you already have in your cupboards and refrigerator that you can use. What can you make for breakfast, lunch or dinner with these ingredients?

Notice the items in your refrigerator with expiration dates to avoid throwing out food. The items in your fridge are a priority to use. As these items are fresh and will expire more quickly than the items in your cupboard.

I still hold off going to the grocery store until my fruits and vegetables are gone. It’s important to realize, I end up tossing them in the garbage if I buy more. By eating almost everything really does save money on your grocery budget.

Next, check to see what you have in your cupboards. What can you make? For example, if you have noodles and pasta sauce, you could add spaghetti to your menu for the week.

Add the ingredients you don’t have to your list. This will certainly save you money at the grocery store.

When you create a budget, it really keeps your spending and saving top of mind. Equally important, when you are determined to spend wisely and driven to save money, it’s going to a life changing situation.

2. What’s on Sale?

After going through your cupboards, the next step is to find out what items are on sale at the grocery store. Notice what meats are on sale this week.

Make your menu surrounded by the meats that are on sale. Remember, you can have 1-2 meatless dinners a week. My favorite is grilled cheese & tomato soup with crackers and fresh green beans!

By adding items that are on sale on a weekly basis will help you save money on groceries. You will see it at a quick glance when you are checking out at the grocery store.

3. Make a Weekly Menu

An easy way to save money on a weekly basis, is to create a menu for the week. For instance, include everything you want to eat, like breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and dessert.

Not only does this process make your life easier for the week, it also saves time running to the grocery store several times per week. It also alleviates trying to figure out what to make for dinner on a daily basis.

Ultimately, by making a menu, you will be saving money. After all, you will not have to run to the restaurant when you are really hungry.

4. Make a List

Before you head out to the grocery store, make a list of all the items you will eat in a week.

First thing is to go through your recipes and note all the ingredients you need. For instance, if you don’t have some ingredients add them to your grocery list.

Here’s the big challenge: When you get to the store, stick to the list (unless you really need something like milk!)

If it’s not on the list, be hesitant to buy it. Especially, if it’s junk food or pre-packaged dinners.

Remember, you planned out all your meals, snacks and deserts. To emphasize, you have everything you already need on your list.

This really does take some self-determination! But, when you leave the store with only the items on your list, you should celebrate such a success!

5. Before you Go

A point often overlooked, is never go to the grocery store hungry! This helps me every time!

Generally speaking, you will be saving money on groceries by eating before you go to the grocery store.

When you are hungry, it’s so hard to resist all the delicious smells! Every time you go, you can smell the aroma of turkey breasts, mashed potatoes, gravy and coleslaw. Not to mention, walking by the fresh donuts, cakes and desserts!!!

Remember, these items are more expensive than making it yourself.

6. Calculate your Purchases

While you are adding items to your cart, add the cost of each item to the nearest $1.00 or $0.50. You can do this in your head or with the calculator on your iPhone. I admit, this is much easier if you are by yourself!

When you do this, it will potentially stop you from buying things you don’t really need, but would really like to eat. It really helped me when I could see how much money I was already spending.

By calculating the items I added to my card, helped me realize how much I was spending.

7. Stick to your List!

This may seem strange, but when I am adding items to my list, I will put them in the order I navigate the store. For example, when I walk into my local grocery store, I first come upon the deli meats and then the fruits and then the produce. I make my list in this order.

Do not browse around looking at all the items you cannot have. Stay focused on what you are looking for. Definitely, this helps to purchase only the items you need. I must emphasize, this is how you save money!

Once you put your item into the card, it’s onto the next item. Just keep going!

8. If you buy it, eat it

If you have fresh food in your refrigerator, think twice before buying more. Eat all the fresh fruits and vegetables you have on hand.

For instance, I have noticed if I buy more fruit before consuming all the apples in our house, they end up going bad. Ultimately, I have to throw them away.

It may potentially make you eat more food you already have in your home. As a matter of fact, you will save money on groceries if you can wait another day or two to eat the fresh food you already have.

9. Leftovers

Make meals that you can freeze and pull out of the freezer. This feels like take out but doesn’t have the same expensive effect!

The way it feels like take out is because there are not many dishes afterwards and cleanup is a breeze!

I love leftovers! This means I don’t have to cook. Some meals are really good as leftovers. Others, not so much.

Making a meal for dinner and then freezing the leftovers certainly saves money. Especially when you are really hungry and want to heat something up quick.

When heating up leftovers from the freezer, saves money on dining out.

One Last Thing

Ultimately, what really changed my financial life was creating a budget. The second thing that was a game changer, was sticking to the budget. Last, but not least, sticking to my grocery list allowed me to save more money.

Everybody has their own personal strengths and weaknesses when it comes to saving and spending. Changing our money habits along with creating a picture of our new financial future has an amazing impact on our life.

There are so many different ways to spend wisely and save money.

If you are interested in getting advice for your own personal situation on how to change your money habits, save money and ultimately change your financial future, get in touch.