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With home food prices predicted to rise between 3% and 4% in 2022 due to economy-wide inflation, shoppers are sharpening their grocery store sense to get the best deals without giving up on their favorite food. Huh. GOBankingRates talked to three consecutive shoppers about their top grocery shopping secrets that allow you to avoid inflation and stay within your budget.
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Scan ads for the best deals
Savvy shoppers know what the best deals are before they head to the grocery store.
Scan ads and check coupons to find the best deals, says Rachel Hemsley, founder and editor of Make Bread From Home. Shoppers can sign up for online store circulators, use reward points offered in-store, and download the Rebate app to find even more sales.
Shop by comparing prices on similar items at different stores to determine which store is offering the best sales. Then, make a list of everything you need to stay on track with your purchases and keep your budget under control.
Take the GOBankingRates’ poll: Where have you cut the most because of inflation?
Create a sales-based meal plan
One of the best ways to stick to a budget and avoid food waste is to plan meals for everyone in the family. However, you can spend a lot of money on meal planning if you are not careful.
“The biggest mistake people make when it comes to grocery shopping is creating their grocery lists and meal plans without considering what’s on sale or what they already have in their pantry. This results in a much more expensive meal,” said Annie Hanson, financial coach and owner of Mindful Money.
Hanson recommends making meal plans based on sales. Use what you already have in your pantry or freezer and buy any sales items you need for weekly meal planning that don’t exceed your budget.
take care of the content
Be careful with the ingredients used in your recipes. Those cooking with expensive ingredients, such as meat or seafood, may consider using a cheaper alternative.
Try to shop for ingredients that work well together and freeze or prepare meal portions ahead of time. Hemsley also recommends making a list of the key ingredients you typically have available and stocking up when they are cheap.
don’t take the shopping cart
“If you have a list, just take your shopping bag, or two, with you to the store,” says blogger Ashley Schooring of Confessions of a Grocery Addict.
Schuuring said fill the bag with everything on your list first. This leaves less room for impulse purchases.
“I also find that when I can actually feel the literal load of my purchase, I’m more motivated to walk out of the store and get back to my car,” Schuring said.
Buy in-season products
When possible, Schooring advises shoppers to buy in-season products. In-season fruits, vegetables, and even meats, such as turkey during Thanksgiving, are generally cheaper than out-of-season options.
buy store brand
In addition to being slightly less expensive than name brand, store brands are often the end products experiencing shrinkage in grocery stores. You’ll save a few dollars and gain a few extra ounces in products like cereal or ice cream.
Don’t overlook the frozen aisle
Stroll down the frozen aisle to find fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood cheaper than their fresh counterparts.
“Frozen fruits and vegetables are already prepared for you, so they’ll make your cooking experience easier,” Schuring said. “Also, remember that most seafood is previously frozen anyway, so buying from the fish counter means they’ve already defrosted it.”
Stock up on non-perishables
Whenever there’s a store sale, stock up on pantry staples non-perishable like canned soups, peanut butter, beans and canned meats or stews.
Not only does this help shoppers save money spent on full-price purchases, it also allows shoppers to use every shopping trip as an opportunity to build your pantry and keep it stocked in case of unforeseen circumstances. gives.
“If disaster strikes, a well-stocked pantry can feed you well from the safety of your own home,” Schuring said.
Shop at The Warehouse Club
If you need to shop in bulk, consider shopping at a warehouse club like Costco or Sam’s Club.
“These stores often have lower prices for wholesale items and discontinued items than regular grocery stores,” Hemsley said.
make your credit card work
If you have credit cards that offer points or cash-back offers on grocery store purchases, Schuring recommends using these cards. Some credit card companies will even partner with certain stores for even more savings. See if your existing credit cards offer these savings or look into credit card options that do.
Keep an Easy Cheat Meal on Hand
Sometimes it can be difficult to stick to a meal plan when you want to go out or feel too tired to cook. For moments like these, Schooring recommends keeping a handy “cheat” meal on hand.
“A frozen pizza and a salad kit may not be the healthiest meal I can make, but it’s a lot cheaper than ordering takeout,” Schuring said. “Other great options include simmer sauces, pasta sauces, and stir-fry kits.”
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