As humans, we need food, clothing, and shelter to be able to function daily, forming the very foundation of our well-being and security. No matter how much you try to save by diligently buying clothes from the discount store, or attempt to manage escalating housing costs by opting for a smaller, more efficient apartment rather than a large house, you will still encounter significant financial challenges. These basic necessities represent a substantial and often inflexible portion of any household budget, making it crucial to find smart ways to manage their costs without sacrificing quality of life.
Food prices are rising globally, a complex issue fueled by a perfect storm of interconnected factors. Beyond the obvious increase in transportation costs, we’re seeing the ripple effects of other major issues such as global pandemics that disrupt supply chains, intricate global trade policies, the undeniable impact of climate change on crop yields, and volatile political factors that can destabilize entire food markets. All of these elements are contributing to a sustained upward pressure on food prices, straining our household budgets and forcing many to make difficult choices at the grocery store.
Feeling overwhelmed is understandable, but you are not powerless. Here you can find some practical, actionable tips on how to fight rising food prices and regain control of your grocery bill.
Cook your food
Instead of dining out, choose to remain at home and cook your own food. This is perhaps the single most impactful change you can make. The meals you opt for in a formal restaurant, which often come with a hefty price tag, can be recreated at home for a fraction of the cost and with a lot fewer dishes than you might think. For example, a simple pasta dish that costs $20 at a restaurant might only cost $4-$5 to make at home with fresh ingredients. Yes, we know you still eat out for the experience, and that’s perfectly fine. The key is to make sure you differentiate when you go out to eat for the whole experience—a special occasion, a unique atmosphere—or just overpay because you’re hungry and you don’t really feel like cooking. Also, be particularly mindful to avoid fast food because of its high calories, excessive sodium, and generally low nutritional quality. The bargain price is not worth the long-term impact on your health, which can lead to far greater costs down the road.
Grocery list
Stop doing your groceries blind. Walking into a supermarket without a plan is like navigating a maze designed to make you spend more. Supermarkets are created with incredible psychological precision to make you go through the whole layout to get what you need, like placing milk and eggs at the very back, but also to entice you to grab some impulse stuff along the way. If you have a list from home and follow the plan, it’s going to be exponentially easier to stay away from unnecessary products and items. Plan your meals for a week ahead of time, check what you already have in your pantry and fridge, and then buy only the ingredients on the list. This way, you can be more aware and not let yourself be fooled by the strategically placed junk food near the milk aisle or the candy at the checkout counter. These are some Magnetic Grocery List Pads for Fridge that you can get via Amazon and keep yourself organized, but a simple piece of paper or a note on your phone works just as well.
Hungry shopping is not a myth
Make sure you eat before you shop. This isn’t just folk wisdom; it’s a scientifically-backed strategy to protect your wallet. When you are hungry, your body’s survival instincts kick in, and your brain prioritizes high-calorie, instant-gratification foods. Imagine how you can enter a place filled with enticing sights and smells of food when anything you and your taste buds are focused on is how much pleasure and fulfillment food brings. It’s a recipe for disaster. You become far more susceptible to impulse buys and marketing tactics. Avoid filling your cart with too much food and expensive, unhealthy products by actually eating first and shopping on a full stomach. A simple snack like an apple, a handful of nuts, or a yogurt before you leave the house can make a world of difference.
No ready-made meals
The grocery store encourages convenience by selling us some ready-made products, but this convenience always comes at a premium. You know there is a price you need to pay for this facility, and I advise you that instead of adding these premium products to your cart, you better find the raw ingredients and prepare the meal yourself. Think about pre-cut vegetables, grated cheese, or pre-made salad kits. You are paying a significant “convenience tax” for someone else to do a few minutes of chopping or grating. The same thing applies to frozen stuff like pre-seasoned chicken breasts, baked goods from the in-store bakery, or any type of prepared food from the deli counter. By purchasing the base components, you not only save a considerable amount of money but also gain full control over the ingredients, avoiding hidden sugars, sodium, and preservatives.
Replace bottled water
It’s better not only for your pocket but also for the environment to get fewer plastic bottles that you need to discard. The cost of single-use bottled water adds up incredibly quickly over time. You can opt for large multi-liter gallons for a smaller overall cost per unit, which is a step in the right direction. However, the best long-term solution is to invest in a quality water filter and choose filtered tap water. Whether it’s a simple pitcher filter, a faucet-mounted one, or an under-sink system, the initial investment will pay for itself many times over within a year. You’ll reduce plastic waste and save a significant amount of money.
Let the kids be at home
As we mentioned before, avoid going hungry to shop. This was founded on emotional buying, and it’s hard enough for adults to control, so imagine how hungry or tired kids will behave in a grocery store filled with temptations. Being with your kids will almost certainly make you spend more time in the store, and any unnecessary minute you spend there makes you more likely to buy more and more. Furthermore, children are often the target of specific marketing for sugary cereals, snacks, and toys placed at their eye level. You’re going to add toys and snacks to the cart, trying to keep them quiet and happy, which can quickly inflate your grocery total. If possible, shop when they are at school or can be looked after by another adult.
Coupons
We tell you all the time that coupons are a real way of saving money, but they require a bit of strategy. Use them, and make sure you’re aware of the sites that give coupons exclusively and that you can find items at discounts. Many stores now have digital coupon programs through their apps, which are incredibly easy to use. The key is to only use coupons for items that were already on your grocery list. Don’t fall into the trap of buying something you don’t need just because you have a coupon for it; that’s not saving money, it’s just spending less on an unplanned purchase. Follow your favorite brand on these websites and get your discounts, but always stick to your plan.
Local products
Choose to get locally produced food, as this is usually cheaper because the extensive transportation taxes and fuel costs are out of the budget. Beyond the savings, local food is often fresher and tastes better because it hasn’t spent days or weeks in transit. You can find amazing deals in farmer’s markets or by looking for the designated local aisle or signage at the grocery store. Buying local also means you’re supporting farmers and businesses in your own community, which strengthens the local economy. This is for sure going to provide a better taste than imported products, and the smaller price makes for an amazing deal you shouldn’t miss.
Compare the prices in different stores
Calculating the price per unit in your head may be a little bit of a struggle, and we are aware of this. But you shouldn’t hesitate to use a phone calculator to figure out the best value. Look for the unit price on the shelf tag—it will tell you the cost per ounce, per pound, or per item, allowing for a true apples-to-apples comparison between different package sizes and brands. This is an easy way to save some money and get the right quality-priced product in the right quantity. The stores with the lower prices are the ones you prefer to choose for your routine shopping, but keep in mind that some of the higher-priced stores do have some specific items, often their store brand, that undercut the cost of competitors. Make sure you’re informed enough by occasionally checking flyers or apps to get the best deals all the time. You don’t need to visit three stores every week, but a little research can reveal which store is best for dairy, which for produce, and which for pantry staples.
SALES
Sales are great when it comes to products that are really on your list, but they can also become little money-waste items when you have the tendency to buy things just because they are on sale. The key is to approach sales strategically. We suggest you only pay attention to the necessary items on your list and if they are on sale, stock up. This is especially effective for items with a long shelf life. You can also choose from non-perishable or freezer-friendly products on sale. When you see a great price on things like canned goods, pasta, rice, flour, butter, bread, or meat, buying in a larger quantity can lead to substantial savings over the long term, as you’ll be using the sale-priced item long after the sale has ended.
Expiration Discounts
Grocery stores are lowering the price when the products are closer to reaching their expiration date, often in a designated “reduced for quick sale” section. Don’t be afraid to check this area. There is a hack that you can use to make these deals even better. Stock up on these products (if they are useful and on your list) and place them in the freezer as soon as you get home. Freezing the food before cooking is the best way to get the date locked and essentially pause the aging process. This keeps your food fresh for longer until you are ready to cook it. This works wonderfully for items like bread, meat, and even some dairy products like cheese, allowing you to take advantage of deep discounts without any waste.
Break the shopping routine
Try to reduce the number of trips you make for groceries in a week. Each trip to the store is another opportunity for an impulse buy. Not only will fewer trips reduce the chances of you buying unnecessary things, but you can also save up some gas and valuable time with fewer roads. Aim to consolidate your shopping into one major trip per week. This forces you to be more diligent with your meal planning and list-making. That “quick trip” to grab one forgotten item often results in walking out with five or six things you didn’t plan on buying, completely negating any savings you were trying to achieve.
Pay in cash
Avoid extra costs, and don’t use your credit card when paying for groceries, especially if you carry a balance. You will end up paying high interest on your food purchases if you don’t pay off the card in full each month. A great strategy is to use the envelope system: determine your weekly grocery budget, withdraw that amount in cash, and put it in an envelope. When the cash is gone, your spending is done. You better pay in cash and don’t ever use your credit card for such essentials. The psychological effect of handing over physical money makes you much more conscious of your spending than simply tapping a plastic card.
Stocked kitchen
By keeping your kitchen stocked with pantry staples, you will save a lot of money because you won’t need to run out and buy an ingredient on the spur of the moment and just end up buying more. A well-stocked pantry is your first line of defense against expensive takeout or last-minute, overpriced convenience store runs. Also, getting more of these staples when they are on sale comes with the opportunity to have enough until the next sale, so you get the wanted product for less money constantly. This includes items like onions, garlic, pasta, rice, canned tomatoes, beans, flour, oils, and basic spices. Having these on hand allows for greater flexibility and creativity in the kitchen.
Substitute Items
We already talked about planning meals. In this situation, if there is a high-priced product in your favorite recipe that you can find for less money and the taste is only similar, it is vegan, or the texture is similar, you should go for it. Be flexible and open to smart swaps. Learn to discipline your taste buds and prioritize health, the right nutrients, and your finances. For example, if you need to purchase olive oil and you see the prices are too high, what you want to do next is find an alternative like canola or vegetable oil for cooking. If a recipe calls for ground beef, consider using lentils, mushrooms, or ground turkey as a cheaper, healthier alternative. If an out-of-season vegetable is expensive, swap it for a seasonal one that’s on sale. This approach not only saves money but can also introduce you to new and delicious ingredients.
We are aware that food is an essential purchase that you cannot avoid. However, you have far more control over this expense than you might think. We hope you consider these tips helpful and that following some of them will help you minimize the amount you spend on these absolutely needed purchases. Don’t try to implement everything at once. Pick one or two strategies that seem most manageable and build from there. Make sure you’re armed with a little time and patience to make this effort, as the long-term savings for your budget will be well worth it.
Read next: 16 Extremely Overpriced Foods That Don’t Deserve a Spot on Your Grocery List
