I believe that being a good steward of the money the Lord has given to us extends beyond tithing, giving and saving, but also in spending. That is why with almost everything I purchase, I try to find the best price, the best value and hopefully a good quality. I love to see a dollar stretch as far as possible. As for grocery shopping, I really enjoy it. I like to cook and eat good food, so going to the grocery store is a part of that. Groceries can really add up, so here are a few ways I try to save.
1. Plan ahead
Plan meals for 1-3 weeks. Make a list of everything you need for those meals and staples. Stick to the list. Never go grocery shopping without a list. Also, organize the list by areas of the store. It makes it faster and cheaper because you will be less tempted to just grab things up. Have a budget for the month for groceries.
2. Where to shop
There are lots of options. Even in my small town there are 4+ places to buy groceries. Find the store that overall has the best prices and products (including store brands, coupons, sales, etc.).
3. What to buy
I buy the store brand whenever possible (most things that are made with a store brand are basically the same thing). I buy the discounted meat and freeze it.
4. Coupons, but be careful
I do use coupons, but only for things I normally buy anyways. Also, I check prices on name-brand coupons vs. the store brand, because sometimes using the coupon ends up costing more.
5. Walmart savings catcher
Since I shop at Walmart for most things, I started using their app for Walmart Savings Catcher. I've gotten back over $40 in just 4 months... for doing nothing but scanning my receipt... that's $10 a month.... every dollar counts! That could be a free grocery trip every year.
If anyone else have tips, leave them in the comments, I'm always interested in learning ways to spend wisely!
