Stop wasting money on nothing! Save it! Yes, of course, you say it at the end of every month. And we do too. You watched a lot of motivational videos on budgeting.

You tried to spend money wisely and hoped it would work this time. Maybe from Monday, but it doesn’t. And this repeats again and again.

We know how it feels because we are humans too. But this should not be like this forever, we have to change it, together. Now it’s time for a change! It’s time to change and learn how to budget for groceries and stick to it.

What Is The Average Food Bill Per Month?

The average grocery bill it’s around 200$ per person. A couple may spend around 350$, while a family of four would spend 550$+ per month. It’s recommended to use 10 -15% of your income on food. We all have preferences and of course spend more than that.

  1. Track Your Monthly Grocery Spendings

    2. This is the most important step you should start following right away. You should have an idea of what you usually spend. Shop as usual with no planned restriction. You don’t want to impress anyone, you need to know the reality.

    You may want to keep your recipes for a more detailed result. Keep track of everything you consume, from tea to rice. Wherever you use a Word document, an app, or a pen and a paper. We recommend you to categorize the lists, for an easy analyzing process.

  2. Analyze And Reduce

    3. Take a close look at your purchases. Choose the products you think are necessary and prioritize the ones that are not. Don’t cut off your favorite foods, decide what you want to keep and do it. See what purchases are irrational and don’t even make you happy and cut them off. This is also a great chance to improve your diet and make it healthier.

  3. Find Alternatives

    4. So you’ve done it! You decided what you need and are 100% sure on your grocery list. Still, we have a little bit more to go. Check out the prices. See what seems too expensive and find a cheaper alternative.

    As an example, you may shop from farmers’ markets for fruit and vegetables as a starting point. When going grocery shopping check out the items on all levels not only the ones right at your eye level.

    These products are the most expensive ones. You are now using your money wisely and this is not an option.

  4. Plan Your Meals

    5. Yes. We know you’ve heard it like a hundred times, but this is it. You know this, it works. You will save a lot of money by planning your meals. If a week seems too much for you, get started from 2-3 days until you find it comfortable to switch to 1 week and even more.

  5. Raid Your Pantry & Fridge

    6. Don’t go shopping before doing this. You will be surprised by how many unused products you can find there. Be sure to use them, you may cook some nice meals from what you have around the house, just like the things you buy.

  6. Have A “Eat Me First” Box

    7. Have a box in your fridge. Have one in your pantry for the products you should eat first. It’s the best tip you can put in practice. This way, you will save a lot of food from going to trash and landfill.

    Check the expiration date and put it in the box if needed. You can do this with every category, from fruits and vegetables to meat and beans. You are going to save a lot of money and be a member of a society that cares about our planet and the food waste on it.

  7. Decide Your Budget

    8. Know you know what goes where and can make a realistic decision. Based on the information you already have and the modifications you’ve made, make a budget you want to stick to. And just stick to it.

    There is no secret, you either do it or you don’t. Of course, you may adjust it whenever needed, but don’t do it impulsively.

  8. Pay With Cash

    9. When you decide to go shopping check your grocery list and take the needed amount of money in cash. You may get it wrong a few times, so get some extra 5 to 10$ just in case, don’t spend it if unnecessary.

    It’s a fact that paying with cash is more likely to trim up your bill. When you give your cash you know how much you have because it’s a material thing. Credit cards may be convenient, but very dangerous. Just use cash.

  9. Bring Your Bag

    10. A bag costs money, even 10 cents are money. Bring your own reusable bag, save up that money, and be more environmentally-friendly. You can save up to 50 cents a month and up to 6$ per year, it’s not much but saving it’s saving.

    Choose a textile bag or shop for a sustainable one. Make sure to bring it with you so you save up that price. If you shop often, you may get up to 15$ per year by bringing your own bag.

  10. Eat Before Shopping

    11. Okay. You may not want to eat a bowl of rice 30 minutes after your dinner just because you are going grocery shopping. The thing is, you should not buy your food hungry. If you do so, you will be buying a lot of things you don’t need. Just eat at home, don’t go hungry.

  11. Don’t Eat Out

    12. Maybe you want to cut off this habit. It is money wasting. You spend up to 3 times the price of the food you eat out compared to the one you can cook at home.

    Eating out is also not as healthy as you might think. A lot of food out there is cooked with dressings that contain sugars and you know that is bad for your health.

  12. Buy In Bulk

    13. When it comes to products that last more, like spinach, onions, or potatoes, buy a bigger size or portion. You will save money and also time. Shop at farmers' markets for a fair price. We recommend buying your grocery at the end of the day for a lower price.

    Some products you may buy in bulk are coffee, butter, nuts, pasta, rice, and cereal. Choose the right places to stock up and go with it wisely.

  13. Buy On Sale, But Don’t Overstock

    14. Sales are a good thing when you have a limit. Use coupons or store-sales but don’t buy an extra item just because it’s “cheaper”. It may be, but you don’t need 10 bags of rice, don’t you?

    You can check your local store site for offers. Or buy seasonal greens. These products are already cheaper, so you may check them out first.

  14. Swap Grocery Stores

    15. If there is a more affordable grocery store in your area, we recommend you to buy from there. It’s a matter of saving money and a more budget-friendly store will allow you to meet your goals. Ask your friends where they buy food and check out new places, it’s also a nice chance to visit other parts of your area.

  15. Shop Online, Pick Up At The Store

    16. If you are looking for sales and cheaper products, consider local grocery delivery services. Some stores provide free delivery, if there isn’t such an option, pick up your groceries at the store.

    Often, online products are cheaper. Companies don’t need to pay for rent and cashier salaries, so the costs are much lower.

  16. Use Apps

    17. There are a lot of apps that provide information about local sales and even more. Check out such apps like Checkout 51 and other similar ones.

    You can use a grocery budget app to track your food spendings. Any app will work fine, you may want to consider apps like Budget Manager, Wallet, and any other.

  17. Eat Leftovers

    18. It’s a good thing to eat the meals you already have. Just like the “Eat Me First” box, this tip will save you a lot of money. Put the leftovers in the fridge and eat it when you are hungry. It’s that simple.

Grocery Budgeting Should Not Be Hard

You don’t need to be overwhelmed by the number of tips you now know. Pick up a few and start with them. Make sure to read this article from time to time so you don’t lose the tips.

Try one of these grocery budget hacks and save your first dollar today! Click down below to get a Free Meal Planner template. Follow us on Social Media for more tips & tricks. Have fun and enjoy your saved money!

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