Unique Ways to Cut Costs on Groceries

 

Unusual, budget-friendly tips to save money on groceries can help you cut costs!

Everyone knows the basic grocery tips. Use coupons. Buy generic. Make a list and stick to it.

Fine. But you're already doing that and your grocery bill is still too high.

Here are some less obvious ways to spend less at the grocery store without eating ramen every night.

1. Shop Your Pantry First

Before you make a grocery list, look at what you already have.

Really look. Check the back of the pantry. Dig through the freezer. See what's in the fridge that needs to be used.

Plan meals around what you already own. Then only buy what you actually need to complete those meals.

Most people have way more food at home than they think. They just forget about it and buy more.

Use up what you have before you buy more. Your wallet and your pantry will thank you.

2. Buy the Ugly Produce

A lot of stores now sell "imperfect" produce at a discount. Weird shaped carrots. Bruised apples. Sad looking peppers.

It tastes the same. It's just ugly.

If you're chopping it up for soup or roasting it anyway, who cares what it looks like?

You can save 30-50% just by buying the produce that doesn't look Instagram-worthy.

Also, check the reduced produce section. Bananas turning brown? Perfect for banana bread. Slightly wilted greens? They'll be fine in a smoothie or cooked dish.

3. Know the Unit Price

That big container looks like a better deal. But is it?

Check the unit price. It's the tiny number on the price tag that shows cost per ounce or per pound.

Sometimes the smaller package is actually cheaper per unit. Sometimes the mega size is worth it.

You can't know unless you check.

This matters most for things you buy regularly. Rice. Pasta. Canned goods. Snacks.

Spend an extra 30 seconds checking. Save money every time.

4. Shop Ethnic Grocery Stores

Asian markets. Mexican grocery stores. Middle Eastern shops.

They often have way better prices on produce, rice, beans, spices, and meat.

A bag of rice at a regular grocery store costs twice what it does at an Asian market. Same with spices at an Indian grocery store.

The quality is usually better too. These stores serve communities that cook from scratch and know good ingredients.

Don't be intimidated if you're not familiar with these stores. Just go in and look around. You'll find plenty of things you recognize at better prices.

5. Buy Meat on Manager's Special

That meat with the yellow "reduced" sticker? It's fine.

It's near its sell-by date, so the store marks it down. But you're going to cook it today or freeze it anyway.

You can save 30-50% on meat this way.

Check the markdown section every time you shop. Plan meals around what's on sale.

If you find a great deal, buy extra and freeze it. Your future self will appreciate having affordable meat in the freezer.

6. Stop Buying Pre-Cut Everything

Pre-cut vegetables. Pre-shredded cheese. Pre-sliced fruit.

You're paying someone to cut things for you. Sometimes you're paying double.

A whole pineapple costs half what pre-cut pineapple does. A block of cheese is way cheaper than shredded.

Yes, it takes a few extra minutes. But you can cut up a week's worth of vegetables in 20 minutes and save $10-$15.

If you're truly too busy, fine. But most of us can spare 20 minutes to cut our own food.

7. Eat Before You Shop

You've heard this one. But do you actually do it?

Shopping hungry means you buy more. Especially junk you don't need.

That sample station is more tempting. Those cookies suddenly seem essential. You grab things you wouldn't normally consider.

Eat something before you go. Even just a snack. Your grocery bill will be lower.

Small Changes Add Up

You don't have to do all of these. Pick two or three that seem doable.

Maybe you start checking unit prices and shopping your pantry first. That alone could save you $20-$30 a week.

Over a month, that's $100. Over a year, that's over $1,000.

From just paying a little more attention to how you shop.

Groceries are one of the easiest places to cut costs because you have to buy them anyway. Small tweaks make a real difference.

Try one of these this week. See how much you save.

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What's your best grocery money-saving trick? Share it in the comments.