12 Best Ways to Save Money on Your Groceries

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are 20 ways to help you save money on food.  

1. See what’s on sale.

To find out what's on offer, look through grocery store flyers, newspaper ads, and the internet.

2. Make a grocery list and stick to it.

The ingredients you'll need to prepare healthy meals and snacks should be on your grocery list. Make a menu plan to assist you in putting together your grocery list and ensuring that you only buy what you require.

3. Use coupons wisely.

Only if you plan to eat or utilise the food will coupons help you save money. Check the coupons' expiration dates.

4. Bring a calculator.

To keep on budget, total up your grocery bill as you shop.

5. Shop at grocery stores or supermarkets.

These stores have a wider selection and, in most cases, lower pricing than convenience stores or tiny speciality stores.

6. Get to know the food prices.

Make a list of the regular pricing of the foods you buy frequently. This can assist you in determining which stores have the best prices and whether or not you are getting a decent bargain on discount items.

7. Avoid shopping when you’re hungry.

When you go grocery shopping on an empty stomach, everything looks good! You might be more inclined to purchase unhealthy foods and things that you don't require.

8. Get to know the supermarket layout and where the healthy foods are located.

Fresh vegetables, fruit, seafood, lean meat, eggs, and lower fat milk products are frequently found around the store's perimeter (or outside aisles). Other healthful basics such as grain products, beans, nuts, seeds, peanut butter, and whole grains can be found in the interior aisles. Avoid the aisles stocked with soda, candy, and chips.

9. Buy in season.

When fruits and vegetables are in season, they are less expensive. Buying fresh fruit at various stages of ripeness will help you avoid wasting food. Choose ripe, ready-to-eat fruit as well as fruit that will ripen in a few days. That way, you'll have ample time to eat everything you bought.

10. Buy frozen or canned food.

Buy frozen or canned veggies and fruit when fresh is out of season or too expensive. They're just as healthy. If you're going to use canned vegetables, first rinse them in cold water to remove some of the sodium.

11. Look high and low – not in the middle.

The most expensive items are usually put on the shelves where you can easily see and reach them. Some of the less expensive items may be on the higher or lower shelves.

12. Check Expiry Dates.

Choose foods with a best before or expiry date that will give you enough time to eat it all and prevent waste.

13. Check out the “reduced” section.

Reduced vegetables are good for soups and stews. Ripe bananas are perfect for making muffins or banana bread. Day old bread is fine for eating and makes good French toast or grilled sandwiches. Ripe melons can be diced and frozen, or puréed to make smoothies.  

14. Choose store brands.

No-name or store brand items are nutritious and are usually cheaper than the brands with fancy packaging. Try no-name or store brand products such as cereal, pasta, vegetables and canned goods.   

15. Compare the unit price for similar items.

The unit price indicates how much something costs per "unit," which is equivalent to 100 grammes (g) or 100 millilitres (mL). Don't be concerned about using a calculator to solve this problem. The unit price is frequently found in small type beneath the main price. This price might assist you in determining if a large or small size of an item is a better purchase.

16. Buy from the bulk bins.

Ingredients such as dried herbs, spices, rice, pasta, flour, and various whole grains work well in the bulk bins. To save money, buy only what you require. (Be warned that bulk bins are not allergy-safe if you have food sensitivities.)

17. Stock up on the basics.

Rice, pasta, canned fish with reduced sodium, and dry legumes (beans, lentils, and peas) have a long shelf life. When they're on sale, stock up, but only if you have room to store them at home. To find out how long food can last in your refrigerator, freezer, and cabinet, consult the Food Handlers' Storage Guide.  

18. Store your food properly at home.

Food waste can be avoided by properly storing foods. If you leave apples out at room temperature, they will soften rapidly, so keep them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper. Mushrooms should be stored in a paper bag rather than a plastic bag. Keep potatoes away from onions in a cool, dark, and dry place. Watch our films on how to store fruit to keep it fresh and how to store veggies to keep them fresh for additional information.

19. Make your own meals.

Make your own meals whenever possible. It is less expensive than purchasing prepared meals that are ready to eat. If you need some experience in the kitchen, check out the programs available by your local public health department.

20. Grow your own.

Even if you don't have a backyard, produce your own vegetables and herbs in the summer if you can. On a sunny balcony, tomatoes, lettuce, basil, radishes, cucumber, spinach, and a variety of other vegetables can be grown in containers.