#024 | Save on Groceries

April 3, 2020

Episode Summary 

Mike and Maggie discuss how you can save on your groceries.  Grocery expenses can easily be $5,000 or even $20,000 a year. It’s a huge category you can find cost savings in.  We talk through 10+ tips on how you can save money on your groceries.  

Episode Notes

Groceries are an expense you can control, while still eating healthy.  There are many things you can do to save on groceries, and cut down your monthly grocery bill.  We talk through our top tips for saving on your groceries:

  • Believe it’s possible. Try different stores and you’ll be surprised.
  • Track how much you’re spending so that you know where you’re at today, and then can measure and appreciate the progress you’re making!
  • Plan ahead, make a list, and don’t go when you’re hungry or hangry.  
  • Consider where you’re shopping.  Check-out Aldi, it’s cheaper and has some really great quality food.  
  • Be thoughtful of cost.  Be flexible. Don’t just buy anything anytime. Focus on what fruits/vegetables are in season and less expensive.  
  • Don’t let your kids just put anything they want in the cart.  Set limits. Teach them to check prices.  
  • Look at the price per ounce or per count on things – most stores mark it.  
  • Shop organic where it matters.  Some categories it doesn’t matter in.  
  • Buy store brand where it makes sense.  Most of the time it does.  
  • Don’t buy non-grocery items, like toiletries, at the grocery store unless you know they are cheaper.  
  • Don’t buy pre-prepared foods or pre-cut fruits and vegetables.  They are incredibly expensive vs. the individual ingredients. Ask yourself if the convenience is worth it for you.  
  • Do not buy bottled water.  It’s terrible for the environment too.
  • Use everything.  Don’t ever let anything go bad. 
    • Eat what’s expiring first.  
    • Freeze fruits or veggies about to go bad and then put in smoothies. 
  • Do the pantry challenge – only eat what’s in your pantry vs. going shopping for new food.  You could likely eat for weeks on what’s in your pantry. There are some great websites for finding recipes for random ingredients you have (see show references below).  

Our top 3 takeaways for this episode:

  1. Believe it is possible to spend less than you are now.  
  2. Plan ahead through making a list, doing meal planning, now shopping while hungry,e tc.
  3. Pay attention to prices.  Pay attention to what things cost per ounce, pe item, or at different stores.  

 

Show References

https://myfridgefood.com/

https://funcheaporfree.com/

Pinterest is a great resource for free recipe ideas

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