7 Ways We Save on Groceries

Welcome back to another week of The Teacher’s Salary series.

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One of the biggest ways we’ve been able to save money each month is by reducing our grocery budget.  I’ve always been conscious of what we spent on our groceries, but since choosing to live on the Teacher’s salary, I’ve certainly had to kick it up a notch.

Before I dive in, let me first define what is included in our grocery budget.  For us, the grocery budget includes: food, paper products, toiletries/personal hygiene, cleaning supplies, and diapers.

Some people choose to break this up a little more, which is perfectly fine.  We typically allocate $50-60 a week for groceries for our family of 4.  Keep in mind that we do not typically buy organic nor do we have special dietary needs.  With that being said, these are 7 ways we save on groceries, no matter your budget.

1.  Menu planning

I typically plan our weekly menu in advance.  By doing this, we only buy what we need for the week rather than purchasing random items.  Menu planning also prevents us from eating out too much.  Dinnertime creeps up quickly and if there is no plan, our temptation is to eat out.  {We certainly reserve the right to be spontaneous at times, but I’m talking in general here}.

2.  Plan shopping trips

I rarely enter a grocery store without a list in my hand.  My list is my only link to reality.  It keeps me focused and helps me to be more efficient, ensuring I don’t forget the items needed for my menu plan.  I also spend time prepping for my trips by reviewing sale items and matching them with coupons, but even if you don’t do all that, simply using a list will help tremendously.

3.  Shop the sales

When I’m creating my store shopping list, I always do it with the sales flyer in hand.  This is probably the biggest way we save on groceries, aside from using a single coupon.  This means we typically eat whatever meats are on sale or the produce that is in season {we are loving clementines this time of year}.  There might be an ingredient here or there that might not be on sale, but I try to keep this to a minimum.

4.  Use coupons

I use coupons as much as possible, but mostly on items that are already on sale.  Typically, the coupon values aren’t large enough on their own to make it worth purchasing.  I find the greatest savings when combining the sale prices with coupons.  Some stores offer great store coupons that can be combined with manufacturer coupons, making for some great deals!  My favorite sites for finding coupon match ups {where they match available coupons with the sale items in the flyer} or coupon databases are:  SouthernSavers and MoneySavingMom.

5.  Build a stockpile

I practice the buy-ahead principle as much as possible, in order to create a stockpile and build up our pantry with items we will use later.  I stock up on the items we use when I see they are at a really great price.  This way, I can “shop my pantry” when creating my menu plan and I have toiletries, paper products, and cleaning supplies on hand at all times and won’t have to ever pay full price.

6.  Ditch brand loyalties

If we need an item that is not on sale or there is no great coupon, I always buy whatever brand is cheapest.  Since I started using coupons on sale items, I have more brand name items in our pantry than ever before.  But, if the cheapest brand is the store brand, then that’s what we buy.  There are a couple of exceptions to this rule, where we do not think the “value” brands taste good, but those are very few.

7.  Play the drug store game

There are some great deals to be had at drug stores.  Without shopping sales, using coupons, and taking advantage of rewards programs, the drug store will most assuredly  have the highest prices.  But, if you “play the game” then you can find some great deals.  The drug store is where we get the majority of our toiletries, cleaning products, and diapers.

If you are just getting started, start slow and be realistic.  Your family may have special dietary needs or choose to eat organic foods, so you may not see the same savings as someone else.  That is okay.  But, I guarantee if you implement at least some of these principles, you will see some savings down the road.

Need some more inspiration or specifics on how to get started on reducing your grocery bill?  You might consider this great resource from Crystal Paine called Grocery University.  This 2 hour audio course will teach you everything you need to know  to start reducing your grocery budget.