Most of us spend big portion of our income on groceries. Grocery bill cannot be avoided. However, it can be significantly lowered. All you need to do is follow my tips for reducing your grocery spending. I will start with ones that are the easiest to follow. So, here they are:
Make a list
Yes, it really is the easy one. You might even think that this tip is useless. However, wait a little while and read this paragraph before you condemn this idea. Making a list and sticking to it will surely help you reduce your grocery spending. In fact, it can significantly reduce your expenses. The reason is simple – you will not buy anything other than things you planned to. This is very important, because there are many effective traps set for you in stores. You can avoid them by making a list of things you need to buy and sticking to that list saving some money every time you go shopping.
Avoid shopping while you are hungry
It is very simple. You tend to buy more groceries when you are hungry. This may lead to significantly higher grocery bill as you will buy many unnecessary and often expensive items. You should always plan your grocery shopping trips in advance and execute them with full stomach.
Realize that sales are your enemy
Well, it is not entirely correct. Sometimes, sales can help you lower your grocery spending. However, they have exactly opposite effect most of the time. You may ask yourself: “How is that possible?” The answer is really simple: Sales usually make you buy something you would not buy under normal circumstances, thus raising your spending. Always buy only groceries you need. Ignore sales, unless they include your desired groceries or their equivalent (of course only in case that item under sale is less expensive).
Ignore advertisements
Many advertisements tell you that buying certain product is good for your health and budget. However, be careful! All advertisements are meant to persuade you into buying some product. Simple and unimportant facts about that product are said in the words promoting that product into something great and even magical. However, do not believe such things. Every grocery product advertised in TV or magazines has some cheaper (and often better) equivalent that you will not know of until you go search the shop for similar product. Another fact is that if you did not need advertised product before you saw the ad, it is highly probable that you still do not need it now. Keep this in mind every time you write your shopping list.
Avoid restaurants
Meals served in restaurant are almost always more expensive than meals prepared at home. Keep in mind that restaurants profit on making your lunch. Prepare your own meals at home and visit restaurants only on special occasions (or never). You are sure to reduce your grocery spending.
Now, it is the time for some harder-to-follow tips for reducing your grocery spending.
Let special treats stay occasional
It is simple. Do not buy so much candy and more expensive non-essential groceries so often. Start buying them only on special occasions. Another option it to buy some of them on regular basis leaving some gaps between each purchase (f.e. buy candy only once a week and only in small quantities). This tip is harder-to-follow because most of us think they cannot survive without candy and other special treats.
Grow your own food
Do you like gardening? Then stop growing only flowers and plant some vegetables or fruit trees too. Growing all your food is almost impossible these days. However, growing some vegetable or even fruit can significantly lower your grocery spending. I agree that this is not for everybody, but it can help a lot.
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